'Bows set for Golden Hurricane
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Downgraded or not, a Hurricane warning is still a Hurricane warning.
The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is not taking Tulsa lightly, even though the Golden Hurricane appears to be far removed from the team that was ranked as high as No. 17 less than two months ago.
The Rainbow Warriors will host Tulsa in a crucial Western Athletic Conference game today at 7 p.m.
"It's a rivalry, and every game in a rivalry is big," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "It's just like when we play Fresno (State). We get up for them no matter what the circumstance."
The circumstance tonight is not exactly what many thought it would be during the preseason.
Tulsa and Hawai'i were predicted to finish first and second in the WAC in virtually every preseason publication. Instead, Hawai'i is 12-5 overall and in fourth place in the conference at 5-4, while Tulsa is 11-6 overall and tied for fifth place at 4-4.
"I'm surprised where we are in the standings, so that means I'm definitely surprised with where they are," Wallace said. "Neither team can afford any more losses, so it's a huge game when you look at it that way."
As UH junior guard Carl English put it: "It might not be the game of the year, but it's still an important game."
Tulsa has lost three of its past four games, including a 58-57 loss at lowly San Jose State on Thursday. Wallace believes that loss could work to Tulsa's advantage.
"They won't be down after losing to San Jose State, I guarantee you that," Wallace said. "It's like us when we lost to (San Jose State). It really fired us up."
It's not like the teams needed extra incentive. The 'Bows and Golden Hurricane have staged epic battles the past two seasons.
UH's Western Athletic Conference Tournament championships the past two seasons have come against Tulsa. Last season, the 'Bows edged Tulsa, 86-85, in the Stan Sheriff Center on a free throw by Mark Campbell with 2.9 seconds remaining.
"We just seem to play with a lot of heart when we play Tulsa," English said. "Year in and year out, they're considered one of the best teams in the conference, so we take it as a challenge."
Hawai'i swept three games from Tulsa last season, although the teams were considered co-champions of the regular season. Both teams return four starters from last season.
"We have an idea of what they like to do and they have an idea of what we like to do," Wallace said.
Despite Tulsa's recent struggles, it could still be considered the most talented team in the WAC. Four players average double-figure points, led by all-conference forward Kevin Johnson's 15.6.
"He's a good player, obviously," said UH forward Phil Martin, who will likely have to defend Johnson. "He plays real physical, so you have to be physical with him."
The small but speedy guard tandem of Dante Swanson and Antonio Reed has also created problems for Hawai'i in the past.
"Defense is probably going to be the key," Wallace said. "It's always an exciting game between the two teams, and I expect it to be again."
Going fast: As of last night, approximately 1,800 tickets remain for tonight's game.
Wear white: For the second consecutive year against Tulsa, the UH athletic department is asking fans to participate in "White-Out" by dressing in white shirts for tonight's game.
Donate to Nate: UH student-athletes will be asking for donations before tonight's game to benefit Nate Jackson, an outfielder for the UH baseball team who underwent heart surgery in November. Donations will be accepted along the arena concourse from 5:45 to 7 p.m.
Today's Lineups
TULSA (11-6 overall, 4-4 WAC)
Head coach—John Phillips (38-13, second season at Tulsa)
Notes: The Golden Hurricane is coming off a 58-57 loss at San Jose State on Thursday. It was Tulsa's second consecutive conference loss (SMU beat Tulsa last Saturday). Since joining the WAC in 1996-97, the Golden Hurricane has never lost three consecutive WAC games. ... Dante Swanson scored 23 points in the loss at San Jose State. He leads the team with 41 3-pointers and a .402 percentage from 3-point range. ... In his first season as a point guard, Antonio Reed ranks fourth in the WAC with 4.1 assists per game. As a shooting guard last season, he averaged 18.0 points in three games against Hawai'i. ... Kevin Johnson ranks among the WAC's top 10 in scoring and rebounding, and is second with a .522 field goal percentage. Over the last two seasons, Johnson is averaging 13.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in six games against Hawai'i. ... Jason Parker leads all WAC players with a .886 free throw percentage. ... Jarius Glenn, a 6-6 sophomore guard, is averaging 10.1 points per game off the bench.
HAWAI'I (12-5 overall, 5-4 WAC)
Head coach—Riley Wallace (255-209, 16th season at UH)
Notes: The Rainbow Warriors are coming off an 85-70 victory over Rice on Thursday. It was Hawai'i's 23rd consecutive victory in the Stan Sheriff Center, the fourth longest home winning streak in NCAA Division I. The 'Bows have won 35 of their last 36 games at home, including 20 consecutive victories over WAC opponents. ... Carl English led the 'Bows with 30 points against Rice, becoming the 10th player in UH history to score 1,000 points in a career. He leads all WAC players in scoring, and is second in 3-pointers (46). In his past four games against Tulsa — all Hawai'i victories — English is averaging 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds. ... Mark Campbell leads all WAC players with 6.1 assists per game. ... Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan, a 6-8 sophomore forward, is Hawai'i's top reserve with averages of 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. ... Hawai'i has won five of the last six games against Tulsa, including the last two WAC Tournament championships. The 'Bows are 3-1 against Tulsa in the Stan Sheriff Center, including an 86-85 victory last season.
