He has been one of the Rainbow Warriors' most reliable players over the past two seasons, but it is his consistency off the court that is most impressive.

"If there's a poster child for what a student-athlete should be like, it's Jeff Blackett," said Hawai'i associate coach Jackson Wheeler, who recruited Blackett to UH two years ago. "He's a good player, he's a good person, and he's going to graduate. I don't think you'll find anybody who has anything bad to say about him."

Blackett will play his final two home games this week. The 'Bows will host No. 25 Nevada tomorrow, and then Fresno State Saturday.

Hawai'i is 14-11 overall and 6-10 in the Western Athletic Conference.

It hasn't been the senior season Blackett expected, but he is not ready to give up on it.

"We have the team to win the WAC championship," he said. "We've been so close in so many games, it would be crazy for us to think we don't have a chance against anybody. We know we can beat any team out there, and that's what we're going to have to do now."

Blackett was a key reserve on last season's team, and became a starting power forward this season. He is fourth on the team in scoring with 9.8 points per game, and second in rebounding with 5.8 per game.

His most overlooked statistic is his 69 assists against 30 turnovers. That assist-to-turnover ratio ranks him third among all WAC players.

Still, Blackett said he expected more out of himself this season, especially when looking at his 44.6 field-goal percentage.

His silky jump shot has abandoned him at times this season, but he is still one of only two players on the team to score and grab a rebound in every game this season (Julian Sensley is the other).

"It's been a struggle," he said. "Some games I'm on; other games, I'm off."

Fracture no excuse

Blackett has played almost the entire season with a stress fracture in his left foot, although he refuses to use it as an excuse. He also sustained a concussion and a staph infection near his chest earlier this season.

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said the physical difference between Blackett this season and last season is evident.

"If you look at his jump shot and the elevation in his rebounding, he doesn't get as high as he did before," Wallace said. "But that tells you a lot about that kid because he's never said a word about it. Everything I've asked of him, he's done — hurt or not. And it's not like he's become a terrible player. He's still putting up numbers."

Blackett's biggest fan — and harshest critic — is his wife, Lindsey. They married in 2002 and have been on a honeymoon of sorts in Hawai'i for the past two years.

"It's just nice to go home to a familiar face every night," Blackett said. "She knows everything about me and my game, and she's not afraid to let me know what she thinks. But at the same time, she listens to me and understands what I'm going through."

Lindsey said Jeff would often leave his physical pains at home.

"That's the way he is, he won't make a public issue out of something like that," she said. "But I could tell he was hurting. There were times when he was confused and discouraged, but he'd still try to put on a good show for everybody. I get more frustrated for him, actually."

Family man

The Blacketts came to Hawai'i as newlyweds out of Salt Lake Community College in 2003. They were both raised in Utah, and admit there were several other frustrations besides basketball in making the transition to Hawai'i.

"We both are really big on our families," Lindsey said. "So the first year was hard not to be around our families during the holidays."

With Jeff concentrating on basketball and school, Lindsey took on the role of primary income source. She worked full-time at Central Pacific Bank for nearly two years so that they could afford a car and rent an apartment.

It also meant that customers came to see Lindsey for both money and criticism.

"These fans would come in all the time and say 'Your husband should do this,' or 'He needs to do that,' " she said. "Sometimes I'd take it personally, and I'd go into stats with them, telling them how many rebounds Jeff was getting and stuff like that."

Lindsey resigned from her job recently because they plan to return to Utah after this semester.

Graduates in may

Although Blackett has not emerged as an All-WAC candidate this season, he is a potential Academic All-WAC selection with a 3.2 grade point average. He will graduate in May as a finance major.

"People get caught up in winning games and putting up numbers and all that," Wallace said. "But a player like Jeff Blackett is a winner in my books. There aren't too many who come around like that."

If Blackett does not get an opportunity to play professional basketball after this season, he would like to work in a business in Utah so that Lindsey can return to the pursuit of a college degree she put on hold in Hawai'i.

"You don't ever hear of something like that these days," Wallace said of the Blacketts. "They are everything you want your kids to be like."

They are both members of the Mormon Church, and faith has also played a role in their success.

Ned Blackett, Jeff's father, said: "It was hard on both families when we realized they were going to Hawai'i. But the best part about them coming all the way out here was that they got to grow with each other. It may have been the best thing for them."

WAC title still goal

Several members of the Blackett family are in Honolulu this week to watch Jeff's final two home games.

"The time has flown by," Blackett said. "But I want to finish if off the way I want to remember it forever, by winning the WAC championship."

Wallace added: "I've watched Jeff and his wife grow into a mature couple in these two years. They are the most polite, respectful people you'll meet. It's a beautiful story, really."