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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 12, 2009

'Bows open up options on offense

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Paul Campbell

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Think of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team's newfound offense like one of those new hybrid cars.

It is a combination of the traditional and modern, all designed to make things run more efficiently.

"We're going green," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said with a laugh.

The Rainbow Warriors simplified their offense in recent weeks, and have won three of their last four games as a result.

"I think it's helped a lot," junior center Paul Campbell said. "We just go out and play because we all know what to do now. Before, if even one guy was in the wrong place, it screwed up the whole play. Now we just run the same plays and so we're all on the same page."

Nash said the Hawai'i offense can no longer be described as a flex-motion. It is a combination of various offenses rolled into one.

"There are a lot of different elements in there," he said. "But we simplified it — narrowed it down to one offense — but you can still get a lot of different looks, a lot of different options off this one offense."

During a five-game losing streak in January, Hawai'i was averaging 54.2 points per game with a .352 field-goal percentage.

The offense was changed after that, and the 'Bows have averaged 66.5 points per game with a .476 field-goal percentage in their last four games.

"We're going into games knowing we're ready now," junior forward Brandon Adams said. "I think a problem for me and a lot of other new guys early was that there were so many plays that we had to try and remember. You were worrying more about what the next play was instead of just playing."

Despite the perceived simplicity of the offense, the 'Bows said it is still complicated for opponents to defend.

"Other teams might know our plays, but they don't know all the options," Adams said. "If you cover one option, we'll go to the next one."

Campbell said: "This offense has a lot of screens, a lot of slips. We're always working to get somebody open."

In any case, it will be put to the test on Saturday when the 'Bows host Nevada.

Hawai'i is 12-11 overall and in seventh place in the Western Athletic Conference at 4-7. The Wolf Pack is 13-10 and in second place at 6-4.

Nevada is regarded as one of the best defensive teams in the WAC. The Wolf Pack leads the conference in rebounding (37.8 per game), blocked shots (5.1) and steals (7.2), and is second in field-goal percentage allowed (.417).

"We're playing with more confidence now, but we're still underdogs," Campbell said. "We have to keep working at it. We're still not where we want to be."

NOTE

Saturday's game — which is on Valentine's Day — is "Bring A Date" night. Fans who purchase a ticket will receive a second ticket free for their "date."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.