The Riley roar was back in the Stan Sheriff Center yesterday.

After missing two practices while undergoing medical tests on his heart, Riley Wallace returned to his duties yesterday as head coach of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

"The doctors didn't tell me not to yell," Wallace said after yesterday's two-hour practice. "They said I couldn't lift anything heavy, and not to stomp or kick, so other than that, I'm going to coach the way I always coach."

Wallace said doctors performed an angiogram on his heart on Monday, and it showed no significant damage.

He went in for a check-up last Friday after feeling light-headed with shortness of breath earlier in the week. Doctors advised him to rest over the weekend before undergoing the angiogram on Monday.

Wallace said his medication for high-blood pressure may have been a cause.

"They took me off the medication because that lowers your heart rate," Wallace said. "But I'm going back in to see my regular doctor next week to find out for sure."

Wallace is 65 and in his 20th season as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors. He underwent a successful angioplasty two years ago to improve the blood flow to his heart.

"They just went in and looked at it this time and they said everything is good," Wallace said. "So I must be doing some things right."

In any case, Wallace was his usual self at practice yesterday, shouting instructions at the 'Bows while pacing up and down the court.

"He brings a lot of intensity to practice," senior co-captain Ahmet Gueye said. "He'll always be the same, that's what I love about the guy. Nothing can stop him. He knows how to coach. He's always teaching us how to bring that toughness every day, and now he's showing it to us."

The 'Bows, who have a 4-4 record, are in the midst of an 11-day break between games, in part because the players have to complete final examinations this week.

Hawai'i last played in a 61-58 home loss to UNLV on Dec. 5. The next game is Saturday against Northwestern State at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"We started putting in (Northwestern State's) stuff so we can be ready for them," Wallace said. "But we really need to work on our own stuff. We have to improve our patience and execution on offense."

Saturday will begin a stretch of four games in eight days for Hawai'i. After playing Northwestern State, the 'Bows will host the 43rd annual Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic, Dec. 20 to 23. The 'Bows will play three games in the Classic, starting with San Francisco on Dec. 21.

NORTHWESTERN STATE ALSO ON A GAME BREAK

Like Hawai'i, Northwestern State is in the middle of an 11-day break between games.

The Demons' last game was a 64-57 home victory over Southern on Dec. 5. Northwestern State, which is based in Natchitoches, La., is 5-4.

The Demons opened the season by defeating Western Athletic Conference member Utah State, 88-71.

"That tells you (Northwestern State) is pretty good," Wallace said. "Because it's hard to beat Utah State like that no matter where it is."

Three of Northwestern State's four losses have come on the road against national powers: at Oklahoma State (79-76), at Louisville (100-87), and at Marquette (83-67).

"You can't tell how good they are by their record," Wallace said. "Because, obviously, they've played a really tough schedule."

Hawai'i beat Northwestern State last season, 80-76, in the third-place game of the Rainbow Classic.

"We played a lot of games in a lot of days when we played them last year, so it's hard to remember that game," Gueye said. "But I do remember them playing in the NCAA Tournament because I was cheering for them."

Northwestern State won the Southland Conference last season, and then upset Iowa with a buzzer-beating shot in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Demons went 26-8 last season, but lost seven seniors from that team.

EARLY TIP-OFF FOR SATURDAY'S GAME

Saturday's game will start at 5:35 p.m. because UH commencement ceremonies are scheduled in the Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday morning.

Arena manager Rich Sheriff and his staff need time to take down the baskets and set up the arena floor for the graduating students.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.