'Bows will host ESPN Bracket Buster

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

For a change, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will not have to bust its hump to play in the Bracket Buster this season.

WALLACE

In its previous Bracket Buster appearances, Hawai'i traveled to Kent State (Ohio) in 2003, and to Southern Illinois last season.

"We didn't mind traveling because it was a chance to give your team some exposure," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "But it will be nice for our fans to finally get a chance to experience it."

The pairings for the Bracket Buster games will be announced Jan. 30. Eleven of the 32 games will be televised on ESPN stations, and Wallace said he thinks the 'Bows could get another nationally televised game (the Hawai'i games at Kent State and Southern Illinois were on ESPN).

"If we're as good as we think we could be at that time of the year, then we should be one of the televised games," Wallace said.

The Bracket Buster was created by ESPN in 2003 to give some of college basketball's so-called "mid-major" programs a chance to gain national exposure late in the season.

As Wallace put it: "It didn't help us get into the NCAA (Tournament), but it probably helped us get into the NIT the last two years."

Hawai'i beat Kent State in 2003, and lost by four points last season to Southern Illinois, which was ranked No. 20 in the nation at the time.

All 10 teams in the Western Athletic Conference will participate in this season's Bracket Buster.

Because of the travel logistics, Hawai'i will probably host a team from a western state. Among the logical candidates are Wichita State, Northern Arizona, Portland State, Weber State and Cal State-Northridge.

In related news, Hawai'i's road game at Nevada on New Year's Day is tentatively scheduled to be televised nationally. ESPN officials requested that the game be played at 9 p.m. (Pacific Time).

Point guard recruit still awaiting clearance

Sophomore Kris Groce has not been cleared to play with the team because he is still undergoing medical examinations for an irregular heartbeat.

"I'm all right," Groce said. "The doctor said I should be able to play by next week. They just want to make 100 percent sure."

Groce said the diagnosis of his condition came as "a complete surprise." He was signed as a late recruit last month to replace Logan Lee, who quit the team during the summer.

Lee, who was the starting point guard for most of last season, has transferred to Texas A&M.

Groce is 5 feet 10, and is expected to battle fellow new recruit Deonte Tatum for the starting point guard position.

Groce has not been allowed to join his teammates for any preseason conditioning workouts.

"I'm just anxious to get back out there," he said.

Three other 'Bows have been sitting out recent workouts because of injuries: senior forward Vaidotas Peciukas (foot), junior forward Matt Gipson (knee), and junior center Chris Botez (ribs).

All three players are expected to be ready for the start of practice in mid-October.

"I'd rather have them hurt now than later," Wallace said. "Let's hope we're getting it all out of the way now."

Watson joins staff as director of operations

Gabe Watson was recently hired as the director of basketball operations for the 'Bows.

Watson, 26, was previously a graduate assistant coach at Division II Chadron State (Neb.). He played basketball at North Idaho College for two years, and then Briar Cliff (Iowa) for two years.

"The opportunity to be around a top program like this came up and it was a chance I couldn't pass up," Watson said.

Watson said his father, Hugh Watson, is a friend of Wallace and UH associate coach Jackson Wheeler.

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