Winning shot now in past for Kuebler
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
All of Salem, Ore., knows about Michael Kuebler's heroics on Monday night.
All Kuebler wants to do is forget about it.
Kuebler's game-winning 3-pointer in a 70-67 overtime victory over Oregon State on Monday made newspaper headlines in Salem, prompting a series of calls to Honolulu.
"I usually call my family after every game, but this time they were all calling me," he said. "It was good, but I can't be satisfied with that. It was only one game, and it's time to move on."
By yesterday afternoon, the Rainbow Warriors were, indeed, moving on. Less than 24 hours after the thrilling victory over the Beavers, the 'Bows were back at practice, preparing for this weekend's adidas Festival at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Hawai'i, which improved to 3-2 after Monday's win, will play host to Texas Southern on Friday and then New Orleans on Saturday. Idaho State is also participating in the tournament.
"I think we all rather play a schedule like this where it's game after game," Kuebler said. "It's a lot better than just practicing for two or three weeks."
According to UH associate coach Bob Nash, Texas Southern is a dangerous 3-4 team. The Tigers, who play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, do not have a player taller than 6 feet 8.
"They're not big, but they're athletic," said Nash, UH's chief scout of opponents. "They run an open offense; they like to transition and create off the dribble, so we're going to have to be on our toes defensively."
Monday's victory over Oregon State started a string of six games in 16 days for Hawai'i.
"We still have a lot to improve," Kuebler said. "Once the (Western Athletic Conference) season starts, we're not going to have a lot of time to prepare for teams, so this is good practice."
Kuebler and the 'Bows also got to practice free-throw shooting yesterday. The 'Bows helped send Monday's game into overtime by converting just one of eight free throws in the game's final four minutes. Kuebler went 0-for-4 during that stretch.
"I honestly don't think I ever missed four free throws in a row in my life," said Kuebler, who led the team with a .811 free-throw percentage last season. "That's kind of why I want to forget about that game and just move on."
NOTES: Hawai'i is 6-1 in its past seven overtime games dating to the 2000-01 season. ... Michael Kuebler leads the WAC with 19.3 points per game. ... Point guard Jason Carter had to leave Monday's game with leg cramps, but he returned to practice yesterday.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
Upcoming games
December
19-20—adidas Festival (Friday—Idaho State vs. New Orleans, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Texas Southern, 7 p.m. Saturday—Idaho State vs. Texas Southern, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. New Orleans, 7 p.m.) 27-30—Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic (27—IUPUI vs. East Tennessee State, 5 p.m.; Lamar vs. Hawai'i, 7:30 p.m. 28—Bowling Green vs. Fairfield, 5 p.m.; American vs. Pepperdine, 7:30 p.m. 29—consolation games at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; semifinal games at 5 and 7:30 p.m. 30—seventh place, 11 a.m.; fifth place, 1:30 p.m.; third place, 5 p.m.; championship, 7:30 p.m.
Games at Stan Sheriff Center
