Rainbow Wahine begin must-win trip at Fresno
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
A basketball victory at Fresno State tonight could put the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine in second place to stay in the Western Athletic Conference.
The compelling question now is how much that will mean when the NCAA Committee gets around to making its 34 at-large invitations next month.
Sixth-ranked Louisiana Tech (19-3, 14-0 WAC) is one of only two teams to play in all 20 NCAA Tournaments. It is all but a lock to make its 21st whether it wins next month's WAC Tournament — and the accompanying automatic bid — or not. A victory tonight at second-place Rice (17-7, 11-4) would clinch the regular-season title for Tech.
If the Lady Techsters are involved in the most shocking women's upset in WAC Tournament history next month, the conference should get two berths. If they are not, there is cause for concern, particularly in Honolulu and Houston.
"I hope we would be reviewed and looked at maybe without Louisiana Tech in the mix," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said. "If that's the case, then obviously Hawai'i jumps out at you as a team that would get strong consideration. Rice would be the other."
The Rainbows (17-6, 10-4) are on pace to win 20 games for the sixth time in seven years. But their last NCAA invitation was four years ago, followed by a shutout in 1999 and WNIT bids the past two years.
Their final four regular-season games are against teams with a combined record of 15-44. In contrast Rice, which swept the season series with Hawai'i, faces Louisiana Tech, Southern Methodist and Tulsa, who are 28-15.
UH has an inside track on the No. 2 WAC Tournament seed, if it doesn't let one get away. But even that means little if it falters in the tournament.
"We need to get to the final (WAC Tournament) game," UH coach Vince Goo says.
Benson believes it is that simple.
"They have to have momentum going into the tournament and get into the championship game," he says. "Neither Hawai'i or Rice can afford an early-round loss."
The WAC has had at least two teams in the NCAA Tournament every year but two since 1994; in 1995 it had five. Last year, when UH lost to Texas Christian in the tournament final, was one of the exceptions.
Hawai'i went on to the semifinals of the WNIT. The year before, Rice and SMU both won in the NCAA's first round, marking three straight seasons that WAC teams seeded No. 11 or higher had earned upsets.
But this week, the Rainbow Wahine can afford only to focus on Fresno and Nevada, where they play Sunday.
"It's critical to win these two road games," Goo says. "Then win the last two at home. We have to win our last four games, and hopefully we don't drop in the RPI (power rating); 41 is not a bad position."
OVER AND BACK: Sunday's loss to Rice dropped the Rainbows two spots in the CollegeRPI.com and Collegiate Basketball News power ratings, to No. 41. They are 43rd in the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association/Summerville rating. ... Rice's rating ranges between 51-57 while Louisiana Tech is 21 and 22. ... Both games this week will be broadcast live on 1420 AM, beginning at 5 p.m. today and noon Sunday. ... Hawai'i is 31-13 on the road since joining the WAC in 1996-97, and 5-2 this season. ... UH has four players (Natasja Allen, Janka Gabrielova, Christen Roper and Karena Greeny) among the WAC's Top 25 scorers. All average between 9.6 and 11.7 points a game. ... Junior Tiffany Simon did not travel with the Bulldogs last week after violating team rules. Before that, she had started every game but one. She is expected back today. ... SMU lost to Louisiana Tech, 82-35, last week. It was the first time the Mustangs had been held below 40 points in 20 years. ... Tech has won its last 17, including all 14 WAC games. A victory today would set a WAC record for consecutive conference victories. It would also clinch the WAC regular-season title for the Bulldogs.
