UH men's basketball team not wary of taking to the road

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Road trip!

Those words are usually not expressed in excited tones when it comes to the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Haim Shimonovich

"Winning is what makes a trip the most fun," said senior co-captain Haim Shimonovich. "But if you look at the guys on this team, we joke around and we get along together. We try to make it fun for ourselves."

After a hard-earned 64-58 victory over a scrappy Boise State team Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center, Hawai'i is 14-3 and on a six-game winning streak. The 'Bows now stand alone atop the Western Athletic Conference standings at 6-1.

"It's early," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "If we come home with two wins, then I'll say I feel good. Because then we'll have three at home in a row and we're in the driver's seat. Right now, there's nobody in the driver's seat."

The last time the 'Bows went on the road, they traveled more than 8,000 miles and came home with three WAC victories.

This trip will again cover more than 8,000 miles and will last seven days.

In keeping with a trend started on the last trip, the 'Bows will take today off and probably visit a shopping mall or other attraction in Houston. Practice will then resume tomorrow.

"I think that makes a big difference," Shimonovich said. "You can get your legs back, rest from the flight and be ready to practice hard the next day. It's better than being tired and having a bad practice the day you get in."

In another trend started this season, the 'Bows plan to make use of visiting weight rooms.

"The lifting definitely helps," senior co-captain Phil Martin said. "All my other years here, we never lifted on the road and I think we got worn down because of it. This year, we're not lifting hard, but we do enough to keep the muscles warm and stimulated."

Wednesday's game against Rice is essentially for first place in the WAC. The Owls lost at Nevada on Saturday, and are 13-5 overall and 5-2 in the conference. If Rice beats Hawai'i, it would create a three-way tie with Hawai'i and Fresno State atop the WAC.

"I don't think it's to the point where we like going on the road — we rather be at home," Martin said. "But because we're winning, it's exciting to go on the road and see what we can do."

• Super accommodations: The game against Rice is being played Wednesday because Hawai'i had difficulty securing hotel rooms for Thursday.

Because the Super Bowl is being played in Houston this week, virtually all hotels in the city are filled from Thursday through Sunday.

Most WAC games are played on Thursdays and Saturdays.

"I don't think it makes a difference," Wallace said. "In fact, I think I like it better because it gives us more time for the Tulsa game (on Saturday)."

• Stat leader: Senior guard Michael Kuebler continues to lead the WAC in scoring with 19.5 points per game.

He also leads the conference with 47 3-pointers.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.