Savovic likely to start tomorrow against SJSU
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
TULSA, Okla. — Even with a sore back, Predrag Savovic will try to help the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team go back-to-back.
UH head coach Riley Wallace said last night that Savovic will be in the starting lineup for today's game against San Jose State in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 a.m. (Hawai'i time).
For the first time in the 19-year history of the WAC Tournament, Hawai'i is the No. 1 seed. The Rainbow Warriors, who won last year's tournament as a No. 5 seed, went 24-5 during the regular season, including 15-3 in the WAC.
San Jose State, which is the No. 9 seed, is 10-21 and coming off a 58-57 victory over Rice in a play-in game on Tuesday.
Savovic has been listed as questionable all week because of lingering pain in his lower back, but he has practiced the last two days.
"As long as it doesn't tighten up overnight, he'll be OK," Wallace said. "And if he's OK, he'll start."
Savovic suffered muscle spasms in his lower back during the second half of a 79-69 loss at Nevada last Thursday. He sat out last Saturday's victory at Fresno State, and was not able to practice until Tuesday.
"No excuses," Savovic said. "I'll be all right."
Savovic, a 6-foot-6 senior guard from Herceg Novi, Yugoslavia, leads Hawai'i with 19.4 points per game and 60 3-pointers. Earlier this week, he became the first player in UH history to become a two-time All-WAC first-team selection.
"We hope to use him as much as we can, but it all depends on how he feels and how the game goes," Wallace said. "I want him to start because we got comfortable with those roles where Mike (McIntyre) and Mindaugas (Burneika) were coming off the bench."
Savovic practiced with the first team yesterday, although his progress was kept a secret from the media.
Wallace had the gym doors at Hale High School locked yesterday in an effort to avoid any last-minute distractions for the 'Bows. Several media outlets from across the nation have requested interviews with Hawai'i's international cast of players.
"I've been getting calls from Dallas, New York, Florida ..." Wallace said. "It's good because we want word about us to get out. But the day before the game, I want the players to concentrate on the game. I'll make it my job to talk (to the media) so the guys can do their job, which is to play basketball."
After four days in Tulsa, the 'Bows are undoubtedly ready to play.
"I like being in the same place for a while because it gives you a chance to get accustomed to where you are," said sophomore guard/forward Carl English, last year's WAC Tournament MVP. "But I'd say we're accustomed to Tulsa already. We're all anxious to get this thing started."
The 'Bows have even made an effort to adjust to today's odd starting time. Hawai'i will be playing at noon (Tulsa time) in the first of four quarterfinal games. Tulsa, the home team and No. 2 seed, will play at 8:30 p.m. (Tulsa time).
Wake-up calls have been set for 8 a.m. the last few days, and practices have been held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
"It's something you have to do," Wallace said. "If we win (today) we go back to playing night games, so we just have to make sure to take care of business with this first one."
