Posted on: Sunday, December 14, 2003
Beavers already know a lot about Rainbows
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
National exposure isn't always a good thing.
In the case of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, three appearances on ESPN2 during the Maui Invitational last month gave Oregon State three free game films.
The Rainbow Warriors (2-2) will play host to the Beavers (4-2) tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
It will be Hawai'i's first regular-season game since losing to Dayton in the championship game of the Maui Invitational on Nov. 26.
"We watched those games live and that was good for our guys," said Oregon State head coach Jay John. "I tried to tell them how big (Haim) Shimonovich is, but pictures say a thousand words."
Shimonovich, UH's 6-foot-10, 275-pound center, is expected to make his first start of the season tomorrow. John's knowledge of the Rainbow Warriors went beyond that.
"They got the kid that can shoot, Kuebler," he said. "The big guys are solid and physical ... I know Julian (Sensley). He's a big-time player, could have played any place. It's going to be a real challenge for us."
Homework may have to make up for experience for the Beavers. They do not have any seniors on this year's roster, and sophomore point guard Lamar Hurd is the only returning starter from last season's 13-15 team.
The Beavers arrived in Honolulu yesterday, and are hoping to get more than just game experience out of the trip.
"It's been raining a little bit in Oregon," John said. "So just walking on the beach is going to be fun."
Hurd added: "That's going to be the challenge. We have to remember we're here for a game and not a vacation."
• Impartial fan: Former UH coach and Oregon State player Red Rocha arrived in Honolulu yesterday with the Beavers. He was a star player at Oregon State in the 1940s, and the head coach of UH's "Fabulous Five" teams of the 1970s.
"Maybe I should sit on the press table, right in the middle," he said.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
