WAC showdown nears
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team has been in the Western Athletic Conference since 1980.
The Rainbow Warriors have one regular-season WAC championship to show for it.
So it is understandable when UH head coach Riley Wallace describes Thursday's first-place showdown with Tulsa as "a special game."
"The reason is because we've never been up near the top of the league this late in the WAC season," he said.
The 'Bows are having their best season in 30 years at 21-4 overall and 12-2 in the WAC. The Golden Hurricane has records of 22-4 and 13-2. The winner of Thursday's 7 p.m. game at the Stan Sheriff Center will take over sole possession of first place.
Wallace would not go as far as saying that it was the most significant game in his 15 years as head coach at UH, but did say, "it's up there as one of the best."
Only once before has UH had a chance to play for the WAC regular-season title in the closing weeks of a season. In 1997 — Anthony Carter's junior season — the 'Bows beat San Jose State in their home finale to clinch a tie with Fresno State for the WAC's Pacific Division championship.
Although the 'Bows have three games remaining after Tulsa, they understand the importance of Thursday's matchup.
"There's a lot riding on this game," senior tri-captain Mike McIntyre said. "We've played some big games already, including the game that we beat them (at Tulsa). But this one means more than any of those because it's toward the end of the season."
Close call: Mike McIntyre had his right (shooting) elbow wrapped in a bandage yesterday after a minor moped accident Sunday.
McIntyre fell while leaning into a turn near the UH campus. No other vehicles were involved. His elbow was scraped, but he otherwise walked away OK.
"Just got some skin scraped up," said McIntyre, who practiced at full strength yesterday. "I'm fine. It won't affect my shooting."
Hurricane watch: Hawai'i and Tulsa have similar records, and the 'Bows already own a victory over the Hurricane.
Yet, Tulsa was No. 28 and UH No. 43 in the latest Rating Percentage Index, which helps determine at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament.
"That's hard to understand," Wallace said. "I understand how ours can be where it is, but I don't understand why theirs is so good."
Tulsa also leap-frogged Hawai'i in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll released yesterday.
The 'Bows received 13 points, which was down three from last week, yet they climbed two spots to 38th.
Tulsa received 30 points, which places them 35th. Last week, Tulsa had just 12 points.
Player of the Week: Tulsa will bring the reigning WAC Player of the Week to Honolulu.
Kevin Johnson, a 6-foot-7 forward, received the honor yesterday after recording 35 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocked shots in victories over SMU and Louisiana Tech.
