Posted on: Friday, February 25, 2005

'Bows in critical game at Tulsa

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

TULSA, Okla. — The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team has made itself feel at home in this city in the past, and the Rainbow Warriors are trying to do so again this week.

The 'Bows arrived in Tulsa on Tuesday in preparation for today's Western Athletic Conference game against the Golden Hurricane.

"I think it helps that we've had success here before," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "And we developed a couple of traditions here that we'd like to keep going."

Among the traditions is the annual trip to the shopping mall, and meals at the Rib Crib and Golden Corral.

But the tradition the 'Bows would like to continue the most is winning.

Hawai'i is 9-4 all-time in the Donald W. Reynolds Center, including WAC Tournament games. Fittingly, today's game is crucial to the 'Bows' positioning for the WAC Tournament, which is scheduled for March 8 to 12 at Reno, Nev.

Hawai'i is 14-9 overall and in seventh place in the WAC at 6-8. The Golden Hurricane is 7-17 and tied for ninth in the WAC at 3-11.

"We just need a win, period," senior guard Jake Sottos said. "It doesn't matter who it's against."

In truth, the 'Bows probably cannot afford to lose today's game if they want to move up in the standings before the WAC Tournament begins. Ideally, Hawai'i would like to finish at least in sixth place to avoid the dreaded "play-in" games of the WAC Tournament.

"Of course it's important," Wallace said. "But at this point, every game is important for us. We really need to pick it up."

One Hawai'i player who would especially like to pick it up today is sophomore guard "Little Matt" Gibson. He grew up in nearby Oklahoma City, and several of his friends and family members will be in attendance today.

What's more, the game is being televised in Oklahoma City.

"I have to look at it as just another WAC game," Gibson said. "It's nice getting to see my family and stuff, but I'm here to play basketball."

Gibson's parents made the 90-minute drive from Oklahoma City to Tulsa yesterday to watch Hawai'i's practice session in the Reynolds Center.

"There won't be that many of us coming to the game, but I think a lot of people who know Matt will be watching on TV," said his father, Lon Gibson. "Now we're just hoping they can pull out a win. We don't like seeing all these close losses."

All nine of Hawai'i's losses have been by six points or fewer, including four losses in the past five games.

But Tulsa doesn't want to hear anything about that. The Golden Hurricane also has lost nine games this season by six points or fewer.

"It's one or two things that seem to go the other way every game," Tulsa interim head coach Alvin "Pooh" Williamson said. "If we take care of those one or two things, we're on the other side, getting a win. I'm sure Hawai'i is feeling the same way because they've lost so many close ones, too."

Wallace said Julian Sensley will continue to play a reserve role. In Hawai'i's last game, a 71-67 home loss to Texas-El Paso, Sensley did not start for the first time in his UH career.

"We need the old Julian back," Wallace said. "But he still has to work his way back in there like anybody else."

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