UH's early end leaves many questions

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

A season full of frustration came to a fittingly frustrating close for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team last week.

Wallace

"It had to be frustrating for everybody — the players, the coaches, the fans," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "We were so close to being there.

"When you lose that many close games, that's when you start asking yourself questions and wondering how you could have turned it around."

Among the questions:

Should fans keep their fingers crossed for an NIT game?

Probably not. The UH athletic department has submitted a bid to host an NIT game, but Wallace said the 'Bows are one victory short.

"Our name is in there, but I don't think we have a shot," he said.

The NCAA and NIT fields will be revealed today. Hawai'i has participated in the postseason for four consecutive years.

Was the 8-0 start by the 'Bows a mirage?

"We got lucky early in the season with some of those wins," Wallace said. "I thought it would help us down the line, but it turned out the other way."

Matt Gibson, left, and Bobby Nash celebrated after beating USC in the championship game of the Rainbow Classic on Dec. 23. The win, which turned out to be the high point of the season, made UH 8-0. Advertiser library photo

"No question, those were some big wins," Wallace said. "But it also might tell you how tough it is to win in our league."

Why were there so many close losses?

Nine of Hawai'i's 13 losses this season were by six points or fewer, including three one-point losses.

"This was not one of our better teams when it came to half-court execution," Wallace said. "So when the game was on the line, and the other team is stepping up their defense, we just broke down too many times."

Wallace added that he did not select team captains this season because he hoped one would emerge during the season. No one did.

"We never had that leadership," Wallace said. "And as coaches, we could only do so much."

What was the most glaring weakness?

Point guard. Last season's starter, Logan Lee, decided to transfer to Texas A&M last summer.

"You have to say that Logan could have made a difference," Wallace said. "He was adequate, but he got us into our offense and he was tough and he hit some big shots for us. Plus, he would have been in his second year with us and that would have made a big difference."

Instead, the 'Bows were left searching for a point guard all season. Deonte Tatum, who was recruited to Hawai'i at the last minute, was a great defender but a poor shooter.

Ultimately, "Little Matt" Gibson had to move from shooting guard to point guard.

"That we got 16 wins with him at point guard in this offense is amazing," Wallace said. "Because he's not a point guard."

What happened at the end of the season?

Hawai'i closed the season by losing eight of its last 11 games, including an abnormal three losses in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"Physically, we wore down this year because it wasn't a strong team," Wallace said. "And mentally, I think all those tough losses caught up to us."

Why didn't Julian Sensley put up better numbers?

Sensley, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, finished second on the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game, first in rebounding with 6.9 per game, and first in assists with 3.1 per game.

"I think everybody expected Julian to step it up a little more this season," Wallace said. "But Julian is also a better player when he has more athleticism around him. He can do a lot of things, but you don't get to see it when the players around him can't respond to his passes, or can't find him in the right spots."

Is "Little Matt" Gibson the answer at point guard next season?

No. Wallace said point guard is the recruiting priority during the off-season.

Gibson averaged a team-high 13.0 points per game, and Wallace would like to move him back to shooting guard next season.

"He'll be better if someone is looking for him rather than him looking for his own shots," Wallace said.

What is the recruiting situation?

Two players have already been signed for next season: Matt Lojeski, a 6-6 shooting guard at Eastern Wyoming College, and Ahmet Tidiane Gueye, a 6-8 forward at Salt Lake Community College.

Hawai'i will have at least three more scholarships to fill. Wallace said he would like to bring in two point guards and an "athletic" forward or center.

What will the schedule look like next season?

The entire schedule is not set, but the 'Bows will host national power Michigan State in November, and will also play a home-and-home series with UNLV. They will also travel to Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a "return" game for the ESPN Bracket Buster.

The WAC will also feature a new look as Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State join the conference next season. Rice, Southern Methodist, Texas-El Paso and Tulsa leave to join Conference USA.

What is Riley Wallace's status for next season?

Wallace's three-year contract expired at the end of this season, but he has said previously that he would like to exercise a clause for a two-year extension.

"You never make decisions right after a season is over," he said. "The emotions are too high. We need time to relax and look things over."

Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier said: "I see Riley coming back. I don't see any issues with that."

Wallace said he will have to undergo some medical procedures during the off-season, including more work to clear the arteries near his heart.

"This team worked hard for me all year," he said. "But they made me work hard, too."

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