honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, December 15, 2003

Oregon State to test UH men

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Finals week starts today on the University of Hawai'i campus, and the UH men's basketball team is expecting a stern test tonight.

UH men

• Who: Hawai'i (2-2) vs. Oregon State (4-2)

• Where: Stan Sheriff Center

• When: Today, 7:05 p.m.

• Tickets: $16 for all lower level seats, $12 for upper level adult seats, $5 for upper level student seats, $9 for Super Rooter seats. Parking is $3.

• TV: Live on KFVE (Ch. 5) and rebroadcast at 10:30 p.m.

• Radio: Live on KKEA (1420 AM)

The Rainbow Warriors host Oregon State tonight at 7:05 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"It feels like the opening of the season again," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "What I know about Oregon State is that they've improved every game out, and so we're going to have to be at our best to stay with them."

The 'Bows have certainly had enough time to prepare.

Tonight will end a 19-game break between regular-season games for Hawai'i. The 'Bows are 2-2 after an 82-72 loss to Dayton in the championship game of the EA Sports Maui Invitational on Nov. 26.

In that same 19-day span, the Beavers have gone 3-1 to improve their overall record to 4-2.

"My number one concern is how we'll be after the long layoff," Wallace said. "Oregon State has a lot more game time than we do."

However, the break allowed Wallace to challenge his team's mental and physical fortitude.

Last week in particular, coaches ran the 'Bows to near exhaustion during practices.

"It wasn't so much the physical aspect, I think it was more the mental aspect that got tested," said UH sophomore forward Julian Sensley. "The coaches wanted to find out how tough we are."

Wallace is still trying to figure out a set starting lineup. As a result of the last two weeks of practice, he said: "We know a lot more about ourselves. Some players stepped up, others didn't."

Senior center and co-captain Haim Shimonovich is expected to make his first start of the season tonight. The 6-foot-10 center has finally recovered from an Achilles injury that limited his playing time earlier this season.

His presence in the low post helps the 'Bows in ways that are obvious — like the 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds he averaged off the bench in the first four games — and not so obvious.

"Getting Haim back in there helps me out a lot," Sensley said. "I'm still trying to figure out my (position), but if Haim is in there, I get to play (small forward), which I like better."

Senior Phil Martin is expected to start at power forward, and Sensley at small forward, giving UH a frontline that ranges from 6-8 to 6-10.

"You could say practice has been intense the last few days," Martin said. "And you can see we've been getting better. But we still need games to see where we stand."

Michael Kuebler, UH's leading scorer at 18.0 points per game, will start at shooting guard. Logan Lee and Jason Carter will continue to share playing time at point guard.

Oregon State will counter with a three-guard, two-forward lineup. The Beavers' starting forwards are 6-9 Kyle Jeffers and 6-7 David Lucas.

"Their big guys are athletic, so we're going to have our hands full," Martin said.

If the smaller Oregon State lineup causes Hawai'i problems, Wallace said he is prepared to mix in several players off the bench.

At the same time, Oregon State head coach Jay John is concerned about Hawai'i's size and experience. The Beavers are one of only six NCAA Division I teams without a senior on their roster.

"The talent is there, but I can't speed up the growth process and I can't speed up the physical development process," John said. "Only time can take care of that."

• Coming back: According to John, the Beavers are expected to return to Hawai'i to participate in the Rainbow Classic in 2005.

• Recognizing Red: Former UH coach Red Rocha is expected to attend tonight's game and will be recognized along with some of his former UH players.

Rocha, who resides in Corvallis, Ore., is also a former standout player for Oregon State.

• Busy month: Tonight's game starts a stretch of six games in 16 days for the 'Bows.

• SI mention: David Lucas of Oregon State and Bobby Nash of Hawai'i are listed in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated as current college basketball players who are sons of former NBA players.

Lucas' father is Maurice Lucas; Nash's father is UH associate coach Bob Nash.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.

• • •