Rainbows confident playing at home
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
A lot has changed since the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team played Louisiana Tech on Jan. 17.
Most notably, the Rainbow Warriors are not in Ruston, La., anymore.
The 'Bows are at home, where they will host the Bulldogs in a Western Athletic Conference game at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"If we play the way we're supposed to, we should be able to handle anybody, especially here at home," said UH point guard Logan Lee.
Hawai'i is 48-4 in its last 52 home games, including victories over Louisiana Tech in 2002 and 2003.
But one of Hawai'i's most significant victories of this season was a 67-60 triumph at Louisiana Tech last month. It was UH's first victory in Ruston and capped a 3-0 road trip — the first time that a Hawai'i team was able to sweep three WAC games in three different cities on one trip.
The 'Bows will need another victory tomorrow to maintain another significant level — first place in the WAC. Hawai'i is 16-4 overall and alone atop the WAC at 8-2. The Bulldogs are 11-10 and 5-6.
"We're in a fight for the No. 1 seed for the (WAC) tournament, and we're trying to get a bid to the NCAAs down the line," sophomore forward Julian Sensley said. "So we have to be up for every game."
The 'Bows are expecting the Bulldogs to be up for them as well. Since that loss to Hawai'i, Louisiana Tech is 3-2, including upset victories over Boise State and Fresno State.
"They're a much different team now," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said of the Bulldogs. "They're playing with more confidence. Their big men have been consistent all year, but now their guards are stepping it up."
The Bulldogs do not start any seniors, and Wallace's theory is that "they're learning and getting better every game."
Louisiana Tech is led by 6-foot-7 forward Paul Millsap, who has emerged as one of the best freshmen players in the country. He leads the team with 15.4 points per game, and leads NCAA Division I with 12.8 rebounds per game.
"It's not just him, they all go to the boards hard," UH senior guard Michael Kuebler said.
The Bulldogs lead the WAC with 41.0 rebounds per game, while Hawai'i is seventh at 35.0 per game.
What's more, Louisiana Tech is getting contributions from each of its five starters. Center Wayne Powell is averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds, guard Donell Allick is at 11.8 points and 3.7 rebounds, guard Corey Dean is at 11.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, and guard JueMichael Young is at 9.0 points and 3.8 rebounds.
"They run basic stuff, but they're quick and athletic," Wallace said. "Our defense is going to be a key."
In the victory at Ruston, Hawai'i's flex-motion offense produced several wide-open layups. Sensley was especially effective, scoring 19 points on 9 of 11 shooting.
"I expect they'll play a little more zone this time, maybe show us some different looks," Wallace said. "We have to be ready for anything."
• Free tickets: Military families will be admitted free to tomorrow's game.
Military personnel (with proper identification) can bring one spouse and two additional dependents to the game.
The first 100 University of Hawai'i students through the turnstiles will also receive free admission.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
