Wallace turns to veterans

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

For starters this season, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is looking to last season.

After the team's first two weeks of practice, head coach Riley Wallace declared that his returnees will be given first shot at the five starting positions.

"They've been together for a year, and they know what it takes to get it done," Wallace said.

If the Rainbow Warriors were to play a game today, Wallace said his starting lineup would be 6-foot-3 senior Mike McIntyre at point guard, 6-6 senior Predrag Savovic at shooting guard, 6-5 sophomore Carl English at small forward, 6-8 sophomore Phil Martin at power forward and 6-10 sophomore Haim Shimonovich at center.

Senior Mindaugas Burneika was being considered for a starting forward spot until straining his left ankle last week. He is expected to return to practice next week.

"We've won and lost with each other," McIntyre said. "We had it clicking at the end of last year, so hopefully, we can keep it going."

McIntyre, Savovic and Martin were starters late last season when Hawai'i made its magical run to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament. English, Shimonovich and Burneika were key reserves, with English winning the Most Outstanding Player award of the WAC Tournament.

"It's always nice to make the first team, but it's also important to do whatever is necessary to help the team win," said English, who did not start any games as a freshman last season.

Wallace emphasized that the starting positions can change any time before the Nov. 16 season opener against Norfolk State.

"The main reason those guys are in the first group is because they know the offense," Wallace said. "Once the new guys start learning it, there's going to be some good competition for every position."

In particular, five newcomers are expected to challenge for starting roles: 6-4 point guard Mark Campbell, 6-8 forward Nkeruwem Akpan, 6-8 forward Paul Jesinskis, 6-9 forward Luc-Arthur Vebobe and 6-11 forward/center Milos Zivanovic.

"We're coming on to their team and we have to prove ourselves to them and to the coaches," Campbell said. "I think it's fair that we start from the bottom. Every day, it makes you want to work that much harder to beat the guy that's ahead of you."

An ongoing NCAA investigation could also affect the starting rotation. Savovic and Vebobe may have to sit out games early this season because of past participation with professionals in Europe. Burneika is also under investigation, but he is expected to be cleared.

If Savovic is unavailable, Burneika would likely start at small forward, with English moving to shooting guard.

"It doesn't matter where I play," English said. "But if I'm starting, I won't want to give it up, that's for sure."

NOTES: Predrag Savovic left practice early yesterday after his right knee "locked up." Trainer Melody Toth said an MRI test will be performed on Savovic's knee today. The injury is believed to be to his meniscus, and not a ligament. "He'll be OK," head coach Riley Wallace said. "He's played with that (sore) knee the last two years."