Rainbows in 'chess match'

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS — Why do people keep playing games in this city?

That's the scenario for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team today, when it will play Nevada-Las Vegas in a first-round game of the National Invitation Tournament.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Hawai'i time) at the Thomas & Mack Center.

It is a bust-win situation for both teams. The winner advances to the second round; the loser completes its season.

"I like being in that situation where it's all on the line," said UH leading scorer Carl English. "And what's good about this game is the teams don't really know too much about each other."

The Rainbow Warriors (18-11) and Runnin' Rebels (21-10) are playing for the first time in five years. UNLV head coach Charlie Spoonhour, who is in his second season with the Rebels, stayed up late Monday night studying film on Hawai'i. The UH coaches did the same last night with tape of UNLV.

"It's hard to prepare for somebody just based on films," Spoonhour said. "But Hawai'i reminds me of Colorado State a little bit because they execute so well on offense. If that's true, it would be unfortunate for us."

The Rebels lost the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship game to Colorado State Saturday.

"It was a terrible loss, but we're basketball players," said UNLV leading scorer Marcus Banks. "Once the next game starts, you get back into it."

The game will feature two of the top guards in the West in Banks and English.

Banks, a 6-foot-2 point guard, averages 20.2 points and 5.6 assists per game. He also ranks among the national leaders with 2.8 steals per game, and was recently named the Mountain West's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

"He's got great quickness, but he's also a senior so he has the experience," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "Everything revolves around him."

English, a 6-5 shooting guard, averages 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He also has 83 3-pointers, which is three shy of the school single-season record.

But because of the difference in height and positions, Banks and English will not likely match up one-on-one.

"(Banks) is legit; one of the best point guards in the country," said UH senior captain Mark Campbell, who will likely be matched against Banks. "As long as I stay focused on running the offense and making the right passes, it should be fine."

UNLV will likely assign Jermaine Lewis, a 6-4 senior, to defend English, although English may have to defend 6-10 UNLV forward Dalron Johnson.

"I like that they don't know anything about me," English said. "There's no advantages; it's just basketball."

Banks shared a similar feeling: "It's more fun when the teams don't know anything about each other. It turns into a chess match. You have to bring your thinking game if you want to win."

• On alert: There is a possibility that tonight's game could be postponed or canceled because of the possible threat of war with Iraq.

"My feeling is that security might be more of an issue here than maybe some other cities," Spoonhour said. "We also need to show respect for the people going to protect us and the people who make those decisions. I will understand completely if they say we can't play this game."

Riley Wallace said he told his team yesterday that there is a possibility that the game could be canceled.

• Triumphant return: Wallace's mere appearance in Las Vegas can be considered a success.

Last September, he underwent surgery in a Las Vegas hospital to remove two subdural hematomas on the left side of his brain. This is his first trip back since then, and he was featured on the front page of the sports section in yesterday's Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"I don't even think about it unless people ask me about it, and the only time I notice it is when I see myself on TV," Wallace said.

• Takaki injured: Senior walk-on Lance Takaki sprained his right ankle during practice yesterday and may not be able to suit up for tonight's game. He left practice on crutches with a temporary brace around his ankle.

• Carter questionable: Reserve point guard Jason Carter returned to practice yesterday for the first time since injuring his knee in a game on March 8. His left knee — which has a torn medial collateral ligament — was wrapped in a brace, and his status for tonight is still listed as questionable.

• Small crowd: Several factors may limit attendance at tonight's game at the Thomas & Mack Center.

First, in order to fit an ESPN time slot, the game will start at 9 p.m. (Pacific Time). "It's a weeknight, so I don't think the families will come out that late," Spoonhour said. Second, UNLV is on spring break this week.

• Nash reunion: Erika Nash, daughter of UH associate coach Bob Nash, is an assistant volleyball coach for UNLV. She attended yesterday's UH practice.

• Rebels favored: UNLV is listed as an 8-point favorite in Las Vegas casinos. Betting on games involving Nevada schools became legal last year.

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