Rainbows, opponent Xavier similar in many aspects
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Carl English took a short break from UH's first practice at American Airlines Center in Dallas yesterday.
Associated Press HAWAI'I–XAVIER Gametime about 10 a.m. HST TV: Channel 9, cable 7 RADIO: 1420 am |
It's time to dance.
After a week of hype, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will open play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament today against Xavier. Tip-off is scheduled for around 10 a.m. (Hawai'i time) in the American Airlines Center.
The Rainbow Warriors are ranked No. 25 in the country, and the No. 10 seed in the West Region. The Musketeers are ranked No. 22 nationally, and the No. 7 seed in the West.
Statistically, the teams are strikingly similar. Hawai'i is having one of the greatest seasons in school history at 27-5, which includes the Western Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships. So is Xavier at 25-5, which includes the Atlantic-10 regular-season and tournament championships.
The 'Bows average 72.2 points per game while surrendering 62.8. The Musketeers average 72.7 while allowing 62.2.
"We are very similar in every aspect of the game," said UH senior tri-captain and leading scorer Predrag Savovic.
Adding more intrigue, both teams like to employ a man-to-man defense, creating a fitting straight-up battle between two perceived equal teams.
As Xavier head coach Thad Matta put it: "The biggest difference is our names are a lot easier to pronounce."
A closer look at the individual matchups:
Point guard
Mark Campbell vs. Lionel Chalmers
UH's Campbell is a 6-4 junior who averages 3.8 points and 4.7 assists per game. Xavier's Chalmers is a 6-foot junior who averages 12.1 points and 4.2 assists per game.
"It's probably going to be the toughest matchup because (Chalmers) is so much of a key to what they do," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "They rely on him to penetrate and either shoot it himself or drop it in the post to (David) West."
Campbell is considered one of Hawai'i's best one-on-one defenders, but Xavier likes to set screens near the top of the key to free Chalmers.
"My job is to disrupt their offense," Campbell said. "I just need to stay with (Chalmers) and try to force him into some bad decisions."
Bob Nash, the UH associate head coach and chief scout of opponents, said: "Ideally, we'd like Mark to force Chalmers way up top and make him shoot the long ball."
Offensively, Campbell may need to score more than his average. Despite a team-leading 41 steals, Chalmers is not considered to be one of Xavier's better defenders.
"Mark will have to step it up and take some shots," Nash said. "Because he'll get some."
Shooting guard
Predrag Savovic vs. Romain Sato
UH's Savovic is a 6-6 senior who leads the team with 20.0 points per game and 71 3-pointers. Sato is a 6-5 sophomore who averages 15.6 points per game and leads Xavier with 75 3-pointers.
"Those numbers don't lie," Nash said. "Both guys can light it up."
Savovic averaged 24.7 points per game while earning the Most Valuable Player award at last week's WAC Tournament. However, he jammed the pinky finger on his right (shooting) hand in the championship game against Tulsa, and has had the injury taped during practices this week.
"It healed OK," he declared yesterday. "There is no problem."
If so, the individual winner of the Savo-Sato shootout may prove to be a key statistic.
Savovic, an honorable mention All-America selection, certainly has the attention of the Musketeers.
"His ability to cut and catch and shoot the ball from 23 feet is like none we've seen," Matta said. "He's got great strength and great size and just an understanding of the game. You put that with his shooting touch, he's a very scary player. He comes out and hits his first three or four shots, he has the capability of setting an NCAA Tournament scoring record."
Small forward
Carl English vs. Alvin Brown/Dave Young
English is a 6-5 sophomore and UH's most versatile player with averages of 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Young, a 6-5 junior, was the starter for Xavier's first 28 games, but he missed the last two with a wrist injury. He was cleared to practice this week, but Brown, a 6-3 senior, is expected to start.
In either case, "Carl needs to give us more points than them," according to Nash. Young averages 8.4 points per game; Brown averages 2.3.
"Carl is capable of putting up 20 points in any game," Nash said. "We might need something like that (today)."
Power forward
Phil Martin vs. Kevin Frey
Martin is a 6-8 sophomore who averages 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and is considered UH's best defensive player. Frey, a 6-8 senior, averages 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, but shoots only 37 percent from the field.
"The stats look similar, but I think Phil has the edge because he's quicker and more athletic," Nash said.
However, Frey does not often position himself in the low-post in Xavier's offense, which could draw Martin away from the basket as well.
"Phil just has to be aware of what's going on around him," Nash said. "He may have to cover a lot more space than what he's used to."
Center
Haim Shimonovich vs. David West
Shimonovich is a 6-10 sophomore and perhaps the unsung hero to Hawai'i's success this season. He averages just 7.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, but "does the little things that makes our team go," Nash said.
West, a 6-9 junior, averages 18.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game, and is a second-team All-America selection. Simply put, Xavier's offense revolves around him.
According to Nash, the Musketeers employ a lot of "four out, one in" offensive sets, meaning that West will station himself near the basket while the other four players stay near the 3-point line.
"We might send some double-teams his way once he gets the ball," Nash said. "But we're not going to do anything special as far as defending him. Haim is a very smart player who we think can hold his own."
Bench
Neither team is considered especially deep.
But Hawai'i's sixth and seventh "starters" — Mike McIntyre and Mindaugas Burneika — clearly hold an edge. McIntyre averages 10.1 points per game, and is second on the team with 60 3-pointers. Burneika contributes 9.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
"Those are two of our best offensive players," Nash said. "It just gives us more options and gets the other guys some rest."
In contrast, the only Xavier reserve who sees significant playing time is Keith Jackson, a 6-5 forward who averages 3.8 points per game. However, either Young or Brown, whoever does not start, will also play a key reserve role.
If Shimonovich gets into foul trouble defending West, freshman Tony Akpan could receive extra playing time.
Hawai'i offense vs. Xavier defense
Led by Savovic, the 'Bows are a sharpshooting, sharp-passing team. Their flex-motion offense is designed to pass circles around defenders until an open shot is found, whether it be behind the 3-point line or under the basket.
"We're hoping they can't cover all our cuts," Wallace said. "But that means we have to be patient and stick with the offense."
Added Matta: "It's sort of that deal where you have to guard them all because you have no idea who's going to be hot."
The Musketeers primarily employ a man-to-man defense, although they will sometimes switch to a 2-3 zone.
"We have to use multiple screens to get our shooters open," Nash said. "We can't try to take them one-on-one."
Xavier offense vs. Hawai'i defense
Led by West, the Musketeers are a simple, inside-out team.
The first, and best, option is West in the low-post. He is strong enough to take defenders to the basket, yet quick enough to hit mid-range jumpers.
When defenses collapse on West, Sato and Chalmers become the threats from outside.
"Basically, they utilize their quickness," Nash said. "They'll run when they can, but mostly it's a set offense."
The 'Bows are an exclusive man-to-man defensive team that also relies on teamwork.
"Help-defense is going to be a key," Wallace said. "If we get beat one-on-one, the next guy has to be there to help out."
• • •
First round
Hawai'i times
WEST REGIONAL
Yesterday's results
At The Pit, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Missouri 93, Miami 80
- Ohio State 69, Davidson 64
- Wyoming 73, Gonzaga 66
- Arizona 86, UC Santa Barbara 81
Today's games
At American Airlines Center, Dallas
- Oklahoma (27-4) vs. Illinois-Chicago (20-13), 7:30 a.m.
- Xavier (25-5) vs. Hawai'i (27-5), 30 minutes following previous game (about 10 a.m.)
At Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh
- Cincinnati (30-3) vs. Boston University (22-9), 2:40 p.m.
- UCLA (19-11) vs. Mississippi (20-10), 25 minutes following previous game
MIDWEST REGIONAL
Yesterday's results
At Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
- Kansas 70, Holy Cross 59
- Stanford 84, Western Kentucky 68
- At ARCO Arena, Sacramento, Calif.
- Wake Forest 83, Pepperdine 74
- Oregon 81, Montana 62
Today's games
At The United Center, Chicago
- Florida (22-8) vs. Creighton (22-8), 7:30 a.m.
- Illinois (24-8) vs. San Diego State (21-11), 30 minutes following previous game
- At American Airlines Center, Dallas
- Mississippi State (26-7) vs. McNeese State (21-8), 2:55 p.m.
- Texas (20-11) vs. Boston College (20-11), 25 minutes following previous game
SOUTH REGIONAL
Yesterday's results
At The BI-LO Center, Greenville, S.C.
- Kent State 69, Oklahoma State 61
- Alabama 86, Florida Atlantic 78
- Notre Dame 82, Charlotte 63
- Duke 84, Winthrop 37
At ARCO Arena, Sacramento, Calif.
- North Carolina-Wilmington 93, Southern California 89, OT
Indiana 75, Utah 57
Today's games
At Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh (27-5) vs. Central Connecticut State (27-4), 7:25 a.m.
- California (22-8) vs. Pennsylvania (25-6), 30 minutes following previous game
EAST REGIONAL
Yesterday's results
At Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
- Kentucky 83, Valparaiso 68
- Tulsa 71, Marquette 69
Today's games
At The MCI Center, Washington
- North Carolina State (22-10) vs. Michigan State (19-11), 7:15 a.m.
- Connecticut (24-6) vs. Hampton (26-6), 30 minutes following previous game
- Wisconsin (18-12) vs. St. John's (20-11), 2:40 p.m.
- Maryland (26-4) vs. Siena (17-18), 25 minutes following previous game
At The United Center, Chicago
- Texas Tech (23-8) vs. Southern Illinois (26-7), 2:50 p.m.
- Georgia (21-9) vs. Murray State (19-12), 25 minutes following previous game
TODAY ON TV
All on KGMB, Channel 9, Cable 7
- 7 a.m.—North Carolina State vs. Michigan State
- 10 a.m.—Hawai'i vs. Xavier
- 2:30 p.m. —Texas Tech vs. Southern Illinois
- 5 p.m.—UCLA VS. Mississippi
