Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2005

Coach Wallace misses Rainbows' practice

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

In an effort to keep his University of Hawai'i men's basketball team healthy for its upcoming road trip, head coach Riley Wallace skipped practice yesterday.

Wallace stayed at home with flu-like symptoms. He is expected to travel with the team today when the Rainbow Warriors depart Honolulu for San Jose, Calif.

"He had a fever and his stomach wasn't doing so well, so he decided to stay away from the team rather than spread it right before a long road trip," said associate coach Bob Nash, who was in charge of yesterday's practice. "It's not serious. It's more of a precautionary thing."

Prior to going home yesterday, Wallace left a practice plan for his coaching staff. The 'Bows will play a Western Athletic Conference game at San Jose State on Saturday.

"Our preparation was the same as if Coach Wallace were here," Nash said. "At this point of the season, we all know what's expected."

Senior forward Jeff Blackett said: "Obviously it's a different feeling not having your head coach there. But as far as the actual practice, it wasn't that much different."

This is the second time this season that Wallace has missed practice time for health-related reasons.

In December, he missed two practices after undergoing an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery.

"I think the intensity is not as high when Coach is not here, but we still work hard and get stuff accomplished," senior guard Jake Sottos said.

The 'Bows will need to be at full strength against a recently improved San Jose State team.

The Spartans beat Tulsa and Rice last week to improve to 6-12 overall and 3-6 in the WAC. Last season, San Jose State won only one WAC game.

Hawai'i's largest margin of victory this season came in a 71-45 home victory over the Spartans on Jan. 8.

"I would say we're going to see a different team up there," junior forward Julian Sensley said. "They've won their last couple games so they're going to be a lot more confident."

The 'Bows also beat Tulsa and Rice last week to improve to 12-5 overall and 4-5 in the WAC. However, Hawai'i is 1-4 on the road this season, and has lost eight consecutive WAC road games dating to last season.

"We just have to take on the roles that we do at home," Sensley said. "When we're at home, we feel like nobody can beat us. We just have to feel that same way on the road."

Today is the start of an 11-day, three-game road trip for the 'Bows. Following Saturday's game at San Jose State, Hawai'i will stay on the Mainland for games at Louisiana Tech next Thursday and then at Southern Methodist next Saturday.

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