Warrior basketball squad seeking identity
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Questions abound for this season's Hawai'i men's basketball team.
Advertiser library photo
With the season opener set for tomorrow against Norfolk State, there are good questions, like how to divide playing time equally among 10 equally talented players?
Predrag Savovic, left, and Troy Ostler played big roles in the University of Hawai'i's run through the WAC Tournament and into the NCAA Tournament last season.
And there are bad questions, like how many games will the NCAA penalize foreign players Predrag Savovic, Mindaugas Burneika and Luc-Arthur Vebobe?
"There are so many what-ifs, it's hard to really say how we look from one day to the next," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "But if everybody is eligible and everybody is healthy, I really like this team."
Experience, versatility and offense appear to be the team's strengths.
Eight players return from last year's 17-14 team that made a memorable late-season run that ended with the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"A lot of us were there last year, so we know what it's going to take," said sophomore Carl English, the Most Outstanding Player of the WAC Tournament.
But with the loss of center Troy Ostler and forward Nerijus Puida — who both used up their eligibility last season — several players will have to fill several roles. English, for example, will be used at point guard, shooting guard and small forward.
"I like that," said senior Mike McIntyre, who can play the same three positions as English. "You get to move around and see different opportunities."
What's more, this season's team is blessed with an abundance of skilled shooters, including Savovic and McIntyre, who are both ranked in UH's top five for all-time 3-pointers made.
"Everybody on this team is capable of scoring in double-figures," Wallace said. "The key is going to be figuring it all out and playing together like we did at the end of last year."
POINT GUARD
McIntyre (6-3, 205, Sr.), who is more of a shooting guard, was the starting point guard in UH's 85-81 exhibition victory over the EA Sports West All-Stars on Sunday. He averaged 7.1 points per game last season, and was the starter when the 'Bows made their run to the NCAA Tournament.
"We're going with experience (at the starting positions) for now because those guys know the offense," Wallace said.
Newcomer Mark Campbell (6-4, 180, Jr.) is the team's only true point guard, and will see significant minutes whether he eventually starts or not.
"In our single-guard front, where you need a guy with ball-handling skills, Mark will be in there," Wallace said. "In our two-guard front, it won't matter because we'll rely more on passing. And most of our (offense) will be out of the two-guard set."
Walk-ons Lance Takaki (5-4, 150, Jr.) and Gabe Lombard (5-9, 160, Fr.) will be part of the scout team in practice.
SHOOTING GUARD
Savovic (6-6, 225, Sr.) is perhaps the team's only assured starter, although the NCAA has yet to rule on his eligibility status. He led the team with 17.6 points per game and made 61 3-pointers last season. He was also a first-team All-WAC selection.
"He stands out because of his experience and what he can do," Wallace said. "There's no one position designed to score more than the other in this offense, but Savo gets a little more because he hunts for his shots a little more."
English or McIntyre will move over to the position if Savovic is not available. Walk-on Ryne Holliday (6-0, 170, Jr.) will be part of the scout team.
SMALL FORWARD
English (6-5, 205, So.) will step up from his relief role of last season, when he did not start a single game. His all-around skills — 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists in Sunday's exhibition — are expected to cause match-up problems for opponents.
"As long as I'm out there, it doesn't matter where I play," said English, who played both guard positions last season.
Senior Mindaugas Burneika (6-7, 230, Sr.) is being considered for a starting role at both forward positions, and can also play center, if needed. He averaged 7.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as a part-time starter last season, and led the team with a .423 percentage from 3-point range.
"The competition (for starting spots) will only make us better," Burneika said. "Everybody will have to go hard every day."
Walk-on Dan Pickart (6-6, 210, Fr.) will play on the scout team.
POWER FORWARD
Barring an NCAA penalty, Burneika will open the season as the starter, although Phil Martin (6-8, 230, So.) held the position last season.
Martin returned to practice this week, but is still recovering from a severely sprained left ankle. He was named to the WAC's All-Newcomer Team last season after averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He also led the conference with a .627 field goal percentage.
Newcomer Luc-Arthur Vebobe (6-9, 220, Jr.) may be the team's most athletically gifted player, and could eventually challenge for a starting role. He will have to sit out the team's first few games, although the exact number has not yet been determined by the NCAA.
Another newcomer, Paul Jesisnskis (6-8, 220, Jr.) will provide relief at both forward positions.
CENTER
Haim Shimonovich (6-10, 245, So.) spent most of his summer in the weight room, increasing his bench press by 50 pounds (to 295). He'll need the added strength as the team's only true center.
"I don't think I'm the same player as Troy Ostler," Shimonovich said of last year's star center. "I can't score like him, but I can help the team in other ways. Rebounding, defense, I'll do what I have to."
After sitting out the first 22 games of last season, Shimonovich averaged 2.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in nine games.
True freshmen Tony Akpan (6-8, 240) and Milos Zivanovic (6-11, 220) will backup Shimonovich, even though both are better suited at the forward positions.
2001-2002 schedule
January
3—at Texas-El Paso*.
5—at Boise State*.
10—Louisiana Tech*.
12—SMU*.
19—at San Jose State*.
24—at Rice*.
26—at Tulsa*.
31—Boise State*.
February
2—Texas-El Paso.
7—at SMU*.
9—at Louisiana Tech*.
16—San Jose State*.
21—Tulsa*.
23—Rice*.
28—at Nevada*.
March
2—at Fresno State*.
6-9—at Western Athletic Conference Tournament (Tulsa, Okla.).
*WAC game
