Botez will be man in middle for UH hoops
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
If the University of Hawai'i basketball team is to have a big start to its 2004-05 season, much could depend on its big starting center.
Chris Botez, a 7-foot junior, will make his game debut as a Rainbow Warrior tonight when Hawai'i hosts Mississippi Valley State in its regular-season opener at the Stan Sheriff Center at 7:05.
"I'm more excited than nervous," said Botez, a transfer from Chemeketa Community College (Ore.). "I know people expect a lot out of a big man, but I just want to do my part to contribute."
Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace is also excited about the possibilities surrounding a mobile 7-foot center.
"He's been a key in practice, so now he needs to do the same thing in games," Wallace said. "A big man who can move like that can be valuable if he uses those skills the right way."
Botez has been so impressive in practice that he has earned a coveted starting position for tonight's game.
Wallace has said throughout the preseason that he does not have a starting lineup.
"I'll start five guys, but that doesn't mean anything right now," Wallace said. "I'm expecting to use everybody. And if the guys starting don't do the job, I won't hesitate to put the next guy right in there."
For tonight, he said the starting five will be Deonte Tatum at point guard, Bobby Nash at shooting guard, Julian Sensley at small forward, Jeff Blackett at power forward and Botez at center.
Sensley is the only returning starter from last season's 21-12 team. Blackett was a key reserve last season; Nash will be making the first start of his collegiate career.
Tatum and Botez are two of the five new recruits on this season's roster. The other three — point guard Kris Groce, shooting guard Matt Gibson and forward Matthew Gipson — are all expected to play tonight.
Among the other returnees, guard Jake Sottos, forward Vaidotas Peciukas and center Milos Zivanovic are also expected to play relief roles tonight.
"If we play the way we're supposed to play, we should be OK," Wallace said.
The presence of Botez, Sensley and Blackett should give the 'Bows an advantage against the smaller Delta Devils.
MVS has a 7-foot center of its own in Ronald Alexander, but he is a true freshman. He did not score or grab any rebounds in the Delta Devils' season-opening 83-76 loss at Jacksonville State last Friday.
Jeffrey Price (6-8) and Chris McGhee (6-7) are the next tallest players on the MVS roster.
"It really doesn't matter," Botez said. "I'm just going to try and play my game."
Much of Botez's game involves out-running the opposition. He also has an effective left-handed shot from close range.
"I don't have the weight of a Shaq (O'Neal); I'm not that kind of player," said Botez, who is listed at 220 pounds. "I like to play in the post, but I also like to run the floor a little more."
Botez averaged 12.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season at Chemeketa.
The Delta Devils could counter Hawai'i's size by firing from the perimeter. They went 22-7 last season, and averaged more than 24 3-point attempts per game. They shot 5 of 19 from 3-point range in the loss to Jacksonville State last week.
"They have constant movement, looking to get an open shot," said UH associate coach Bob Nash, who is in charge of scouting opponents. "They won't hesitate to let it go from anywhere, any time."
Solomon Forbes, a 6-5 shooting guard, made 55 3-pointers last season and averaged 14.0 points per game. Point guard Hosea Butler is the only other returning starter.
"We try to take what you give us," MVS head coach Lafayette Stribling said. "If you give us a (fast) break, we'll try to take it. But at the same time, we're not just run and gun."
Art Woolaway to be remembered tonight
Longtime volunteer assistant Art Woolaway will be honored tonight and throughout the season by the UH basketball team.
Woolaway died last August after battling skin cancer for several years.
Wallace said Woolaway's seat at the end of the UH bench will remain empty this season.
"He was a good man and we want to remember him," Wallace said.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
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