Island bragging rights on line tonight
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Ward or O'ahu?
Island pride, and the championship of the Hawaiian Airlines Tip-Off Tournament, will be at stake tonight at 7 when the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
The game will pit a contrast of styles between the only two NCAA Division I men's basketball teams based on islands (the Corpus Christi campus is located on 240-acre Ward Island).
The Islanders are a self-described run-and-shoot team. The 'Bows, while capable of fast-breaking, are better known for their patient, flex-motion offense.
"We'll pick our spots to run," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "Our big thing tomorrow will be getting back to cover on transition defense to keep them from getting easy baskets."
Corpus Christi head coach Ronnie Arrow is equally concerned about Hawai'i's approach.
"Overall, we might be the quicker team," Arrow said. "But Hawai'i is so big and strong and the way they run that motion (offense), I don't know if our quickness will be much of a factor."
Either way, the 'Bows appear ready, coming off an impressive 81-65 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock on Friday.
The three newcomers to the team — guards Jason Carter and Michael Kuebler and forward Vaidotas Peciukas — were especially impressive in their UH debuts.
"I plan on using those guys all season and they produced, so that's a good start," Wallace said.
Kuebler established his name early, even if his jersey did not. The 6-5 junior had 17 points (including three 3-pointers), four rebounds and three assists.
"I went in to the locker room at halftime and I couldn't even remember what was going on, I was so excited," Kuebler said.
And for the record, his name is spelled Kuebler. Last night, the name on the back of his jersey was spelled Keubler. On his exhibition jersey, it was spelled Kuebier.
"I didn't think my name was that hard compared to some of the other guys on the team," he joked.
Carter had eight points, three rebounds and two assists; Peciukas, who started at small forward, had four points, four assists and two rebounds.
All three should play key roles again tonight, especially against the up-tempo Islanders.
"Those three guys were a big part of the win," senior captain Mark Campbell said. "For me, personally, getting to take a few breathers while (Carter) goes in there is perfect. It keeps me fresh the whole game."
Added Carter: "We're probably going to be running up and down a lot (tonight). I know we have to stay in control, but that's the kind of game I like. It should be fun."
TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI (1-0)
Ht Wt Cl Pts Reb
G—Travis Bailey 6-3 190 Jr. 22.0 2.0
G—Brian Evans 6-0 170 Jr. 24.0 3.0
F —Corey Lamkin 6-6 230 So. 12.0 7.0
F—Derrick Murphy 6-7 205 Jr. 10.0 6.0
F—Thomas Bailey 6-9 185 Jr. 7.0 7.0
Head coach—Ronnie Arrow (40-42, 4th season at Corpus Christi)
Notes: The Islanders defeated Cal State Fullerton, 83-76, in their season opener Friday. The Corpus Christi men's basketball program is in its fourth year of existence. The team is now 4-0 in season openers. ... Corpus Christi is one of only seven NCAA Division I Independent men's basketball teams. ... The Islanders finished 12-15 last season, and closed the season by winning four consecutive games. ... Travis Bailey, Brian Evans and Derrick Murphy were starters last season. Evans led the team in scoring last season with 13.5 points per game. ... Travis Bailey and Thomas Bailey are brothers. Thomas is older by one year. ... The Islanders are playing in Hawai'i for the first time.
HAWAI'I (1-0)
Ht Wt Cl Pts Reb
G—Mark Campbell 6-4 180 Sr. 7.0 3.0
G—Carl English 6-5 205 Jr. 15.0 3.0
F—Vaidotas Peciukas 6-6 200 So. 4.0 2.0
F—Phil Martin 6-8 235 Jr. 8.0 1.0
C—Haim Shimonovich 6-10 265 Jr. 18.0 8.0
Head coach—Riley Wallace (244-204, 16th season at UH)
Notes: The Rainbow Warriors defeated Arkansas-Little Rock, 81-65, Friday for their 13th consecutive victory in the Stan Sheriff Center. ... Hawai'i is 11-5 in season openers under Riley Wallace. ... Haim Shimonovich established a career-high with 18 points against UALR. He also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. ... Michael Kuebler, a 6-5 junior guard, came off the bench to score 17 points in his Hawai'i debut Friday. ... The 'Bows had 21 assists out of 29 field goals in Friday's victory. Mark Campbell led the team with five assists. He also led the team in assists last season with an average of 4.6. ... Since the 1999-2000 season, Hawai'i has a record of 45-10 in the Stan Sheriff Center.
