Posted on: Saturday, February 2,2002

BASKETBALL
UH has revenge on mind with UTEP in town

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

"UTEP has always given us trouble no matter what," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace says. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu AdvertiserNT>

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team was all smiles yesterday.

It was picture day, and the Rainbow Warriors posed for team and individual photos.

Of course, being in first place in the Western Athletic Conference can lead to some happy thoughts as well.

"We're very confident right now," senior tri-captain Mindaugas Burneika said. "We feel good about the way we're playing, but we also know we have to come out ready every night because every team in the WAC wants to beat us now."

Next up is Texas-El Paso tonight, and the 'Bows are turning back the clock in search of motivation.

The 'Bows, who are having their best season in 30 years at 18-3 overall and 9-1 in the WAC, will play host to UTEP at the Stan Sheriff Center at 7:05.

"(UTEP) was the only team to beat us at home in the WAC last year," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "It's a pride thing because you want to be able to beat everybody on your home court."

Since last year's 79-71 loss to the Miners, the 'Bows are 19-1 in the Sheriff Center, including 12-0 against WAC teams.

UTEP was also the only team to beat Hawai'i twice last season. After a 70-68 UH victory in El Paso last month, the 'Bows are hoping to return the favor tonight.

"We'd like to get even for last year," Burneika said.

However, Wallace is wary of the Miners, who have struggled with inconsistency and injuries so far this season.

"UTEP has always given us trouble no matter what," Wallace said. "They've always had the talent, and this year is no different. What scares me most is that they still have a tremendous upside."

UTEP head coach Jason Rabedeaux agrees, and is even using last season's Hawai'i team as his "model" for the rest of this season.

"Hawai'i was a team that had some injuries early last year and then just got better and better as the year went on," he said. "We're hoping to make that kind of run this year."

In addition to its search for consistency, UTEP is also seeking a breakthrough road victory. The Miners are 0-8 on the road this season, including a 67-62 loss at San Jose State on Thursday.

"I think we're a better team than our record indicates," Rabedeaux said. "But it's becoming a mental thing on the road, and that's something we need to get turned around."

Wallace is particularly concerned with the quickness of the Miners, especially point guard Eugene Costello, who has scored 54 points in three career games against UH.

"It seems like when he's going good, so do they," Wallace said. "And he gave us problems last year."

The 'Bows are coming off what they described as an unsatisfactory 67-56 victory over Boise State on Thursday.

"We didn't play so great against Boise, but we got the win," said UH senior guard Predrag Savovic. "Now, we just have to play better than that and hopefully get another win."