"We're looking at it as a team thing, but it's nice that a local kid can get that kind of recognition," Wallace said yesterday. "It shows that a local kid can come in and help our program - and that kids can be like Alika."

Smith, a 6-2 junior guard from Kalaheo High School in Kailua, played all 85 minutes of the team's victories at Wyoming and Colorado State last week.

He scored eight of the Rainbows' 10 points in overtime against Wyoming in UH's 70-68 victory and then exploded for a career-high 30 points at Colorado State in the Rainbows' 83-79 win.

Smith also hit a huge jumper near the end of the game against the Rams, who had rallied from double-digit deficits.

"I was just trying to get open, the clock was running down and I was just trying to get the best shot possible," he said. "I just thank God that I hit it."

Smith shot 53 percent (17-for-32) from the field and 86 percent (14-for-18) from the free-throw line in the two games, while averaging 28.5 points.

Texas Christian guard Mike Jones was named Mountain Division Player of the Week after averaging 33 points against Brigham Young and Utah.

Also, UH center Seth Sundberg was released from The Queen's Medical Center yesterday after being admitted last Monday for a lacerated spleen that he suffered in a game against Air Force on Feb. 8 at the Special Events Arena.

UH team physician Dr. Andrew Nichols said last week that it would be six to 10 weeks before Sundberg could compete in any contact sport.