Playing in Reno still a problem for Hawai'i
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
RENO, Nev. — "The Biggest Little City in the World" has become the biggest little problem in the world for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.
Like so many wishful gamblers who visit Reno, the Rainbow Warriors once again left empty-handed after a 73-65 loss to Nevada last night at the Lawlor Events Center.
Hawai'i is 0-5 in games played in Reno, including losses in each of the past three seasons. Nevada joined the Western Athletic Conference in the 2000-01 season, and last night was the closest UH has come to a victory.
"(Nevada) is no different than any other team in the WAC," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "They're very hard to beat when they're at home."
Nevada is 8-1 at home this season, including 4-0 in the WAC.
At an elevation of around 4,500 feet, Reno also offers the dreaded altitude problem of thin air for visiting opponents.
UH guard Carl English scored a game-high 27 points, but only five in the final 15 minutes of the game.
"My legs felt like air the whole game," he said. "I don't know if it was fatigue or altitude or what, but I was physically tired."
Reno also offers obvious distractions — the 'Bows stayed in the Reno Hilton, one of the largest casinos in the city — although Wallace made sure that was not a problem. He said the players were not allowed to gamble before the game, even during their free time.
• Learning English: Four scouts from NBA teams attended last night's game to make early reviews of Carl English and Nevada forward Kirk Snyder.
English is a 6-foot-5 junior guard; Snyder is a 6-6 sophomore forward. Neither player has declared an intent for early entry into the NBA Draft.
Also, a Sports Illustrated reporter attended last night's game for an upcoming feature article on English. The date of the article has not been determined.
• Coming home: The 'Bows are scheduled to return to Honolulu today. They are next scheduled to play at home against Rice on Thursday and then Tulsa on Saturday.
Hawai'i has won 22 consecutive games in the Stan Sheriff Center, the sixth-longest home winning streak in NCAA Division I.
"We'll regroup," Wallace said. "Our fans are good; they'll come out and help us get back to winning."
