Posted on: Saturday, January 22, 2005
UH hopes to end late breakdowns
| • | Probable starting lineups |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Losing close games is no longer acceptable for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.
"I've never had a team that lost all the close ones like this," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "And we need to end it. We have to start winning, whether it's at home or on the road, or where ever."
After another heartbreaking loss Thursday, the Rainbow Warriors will get a chance to get back on the winning track today with a Western Athletic Conference game at Boise State.
The game is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. (Hawai'i time) at the Taco Bell Arena. It will not be televised in Hawai'i.
Hawai'i is 10-4 overall and 2-4 in the WAC after a 71-70 loss at Texas-El Paso on Thursday. The 'Bows' four losses have been by a combined seven points, and all four losses have come in the final minute.
The Broncos are 8-9 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
"It's a must-win because we both have the same records (in the WAC)," Wallace said. "We need this one to stay in it."
In an effort to avoid another late meltdown, Wallace will try a new starting lineup today.
Senior shooting guard Jake Sottos has shot his way into a starting role, assuming his sprained right foot is OK.
Sottos averaged 19.0 points per game and drained 15 3-pointers off the bench in Hawai'i's last three games. "You have to go with the hot hand," Wallace said.
Sottos sustained the injury in the second half of the UTEP game, but was able to practice last night. Today could be the first start of his two-year career at Hawai'i.
"He was limping a little, but as long as it doesn't affect his shot, I want him in there," Wallace said. "If he's not ready (today), then Bobby Nash will be in there."
Also, senior forward Jeff Blackett will be reinserted into the starting lineup.
The other three starters will be Deonte Tatum at point guard, Julian Sensley at small forward and Chris Botez at center.
"That group has been executing our offense the best together," Wallace said. "And we need to get off to a good start."
Sophomore guard "Little Matt" Gibson and junior forward "Big Matt" Gipson will play reserve roles.
"We're not giving up on them — they're too talented," Wallace said. "But I think the way both those guys play might be better suited to give us energy off the bench. We'll still need big games from both those guys."
In any case, it will be a game of big versus small.
The 'Bows will use four players 6 feet 8 and taller: 7-foot Botez, 6-9 Sensley, 6-9 Gipson and 6-8 Blackett. In contrast, the Broncos' tallest player is 6-8 Tezarray Banks.
"Hawai'i is as big as an NBA team," Boise State head coach Greg Graham said. "That's what concerns me the most. And it's not just that they're big, they have the skill to go with it."
Instead of playing big, Boise State likes to play fast, according to Graham.
The Broncos lead the WAC with 131 3-pointers, and became even more dangerous this week with the return of 6-7 forward Jason Ellis. He was out for three weeks (six games) after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia.
Ellis is considered Boise State's best "big man," and is averaging 11.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He is still not at full strength, so his minutes will be limited.
"We had to mix a lot of new guys in there when Jason was out," Graham said. "So I think we were a little inconsistent as a team because we were going with so many inexperienced guys. We're obviously a better team with Jason in there, but him being out gave a lot of other guys opportunities."
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
