Hawai'i looking at different lineups
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
One loss is hardly enough reason to hit the panic button, but it doesn't mean the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is going to be content with it, either.
On their first day of practice since a 60-49 loss at San Diego State on Saturday, the Rainbow Warriors were tinkering with new combinations of players yesterday.
"I want to see how these guys respond to working with different guys in different spots," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "I still don't know what's going to happen down the line, but there were some weaknesses exposed (by SDSU), and we have to address it."
In particular, Wallace tried several different players at the small forward position, also called the 3.
Sophomore Vaidotas Peciukas started UH's first three games at that position, but he was held to zero points and zero rebounds in just eight minutes against SDSU.
"He'll learn it eventually, and I want him in there," Wallace said. "But right now we need to find somebody who understands the position a little more."
Wallace said the 3 spot is considered "the center point" of UH's flex-motion offense, and that player is often required to make the most important decisions, with and without the ball.
Among the candidates to take a shot at it yesterday were Carl English, Michael Kuebler and Mark Campbell.
English would seem to be the logical choice until Peciukas is ready. The 6-foot-5 junior played the position last year, but was moved to shooting guard this season to take advantage of his scoring ability.
"It depends on the situation," Wallace said. "Carl is valuable to us (at shooting guard) in one of the offenses we run, but otherwise, he can be a 3."
If so, Kuebler would step in at the shooting guard spot. He has been a key reserve in UH's first three games, averaging 11.3 points and 4.0 assists per game.
In another possibility, Kuebler could play the 3, keeping English at shooting guard.
The most intriguing lineup during yesterday's practice featured junior Jason Carter at point guard, English at shooting guard, and Campbell at small forward.
Campbell, a 6-4 senior captain, has started 33 consecutive games at point guard for the 'Bows.
"I wanted to see what he could do there, and honestly, he looked pretty damn good," Wallace said. "The thing about him is, he knows the whole offense."
Campbell was not phased by the switch, and does not expect to switch positions full time anyway.
"You have to remember, we've only played three games," Campbell said. "We're just trying different things because it's still early in the year."
• Final exams: Wallace canceled Monday's practice to allow the players to catch up on class work.
Final exams for this semester are being conducted on the UH campus this week.
"It's a lot of stress," Campbell said. "We have final papers and tests this week, plus we have a tournament on the weekend. It's a tough week as far as managing your time."
• Up next: The 'Bows will host the Adidas Festival Friday and Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Four teams are participating, and the matchups are already set.
On Friday, Cal Poly (2-4) will play New Orleans (6-1) at 6 p.m., followed by UH (2-1) against Eastern Illinois (3-5) around 8. On Saturday, Cal Poly will play Eastern Illinois at 6 p.m. followed by UH and New Orleans around 8.
