It doesn’t get
any bigger for ’Bows
UH tips off the regular season
By Dave Reardon
against Indiana
Special to the Star-BulletinTomorrow night's United Airlines Tipoff will be big for the University of Hawaii -- big crowd, big expectations, big exposure, and a bigger-than-life opponent in Bobby Knight's No. 21 Indiana Hoosiers. Both teams have big-time all-around guards -- Anthony Carter for Hawaii and A.J. Guyton for Indiana.
But the probable key at a sold-out Special Events Arena?
The big men, of course.
The Hoosiers are in transition after losing 10 of their last 18 games last season to finish 22-11. This year, after a pair of exhibition games, a loss to Temple and a victory over Alabama-Birmingham, questions still linger concerning Indiana, which starts two sophomores and two juniors.
A known strength, however, is its big physical front line. And, as he often has done in his 27 seasons at Indiana, Knight will mix and match combinations of players early in the season, giving his squad what at least appears to be a deep bench.
Hawaii coach Riley Wallace and several UH players said rebounding will be crucial in the Rainbows' regular-season opener. And don't forget depth.
"We need to deal with their big front line and stay out of foul trouble," Wallace said. "They go nine deep."
Indiana figures to start 7-foot, 245-pound Jason Collier in the middle, flanked by Andrae Patterson (6-8, 240) and William Gladness (6-8, 220).
Collier had some strong games as a freshman last year, but the real leader up front is Patterson, who averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds a game.
The Rainbows counter with an all-senior starting frontcourt of Mike Robinson (6-8, 230), Eric Ambrozich (6-8, 195) and Micah Kroeger (6-6, 215).
All are true forwards, but Robinson held his own at center -- at least in rebounding with 13 boards -- against a tall and physical California All-Star team in UH's 78-74 exhibition victory last week.
Wahine take on
By Dave Reardon
California
Special to the Star-BulletinCalifornia may be in a rebuilding phase, but Hawaii women's basketball coach Vince Goo doesn't expect that transition to take long with Marianne Stanley at the helm. "She's already brought in some outstanding talent. We know the names from recruiting," Goo said. "Marianne Stanley's one of the best, and she'll bring them around quickly."
Not too quickly, Goo hopes. The Wahine host the Golden Bears in the first round of the Wahine Classic at 3:45 tomorrow afternoon at the Special Events Arena.
Stanley has a 386-170 record in 18 seasons at five different schools, and has won five national championships as a player and coach. It's a good bet Cal won't finish 6-21 again, as it did in her first year there last season.
The Bears won their opener last week, 94-58, against Cal Poly Obispo. Forward Amber Lacy had 19 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Kenya Corley came off the bench to add 18 points.
The Wahine are 2-0 after last weekend's Hawaiian Regent Classic. Nani Cockett, who moved into second place on the all-time Wahine scoring list last week, had 45 points in the two games and leads Hawaii in scoring.
Other teams in the Wahine Classic are last-season NCAA tournament entries Alabama (ranked No. 10 currently), Iowa State and Marshall. Idaho, Indiana and Wisconsin-Green Bay round out the field.
But against Indiana, this group will probably need more help than it got last week from newcomers Bryan Moeller (7-0, 240) and Erin Galloway (6-8, 215), who combined for six rebounds in 30 minutes.
Ales Zivanovic was slated to start at center last week, but suffered a bad ankle sprain. He had his cast removed yesterday, but Wallace said he is out indefinitely.
Also, freshmen 7-footer Peter Keskes and 6-5 swingman Philipp Czernin were redshirted earlier this week.
At practice yesterday, Galloway almost ripped a Gym II rim off the backboard with several strong dunks. "Helicopter's" leaping ability could be Wallace's ace in the hole. But his synchronicity -- or lack of -- with teammates in his first real game with them might be the X-factor.
"Galloway looked good today," Wallace said of the junior from Marietta, Ga. "But he always looks good against a zone defense. Against a man-to-man his timing and continuity is still not quite there.
"He's got such great hops for dunks. I'd like to see him use them more for blocks and rebounding. If he did that he'd be awesome, a Dennis Rodman-type player."
Wallace was quick to add the comparison was in relation to basketball skills, not on-court histrionics. Galloway is a low-key individual.
But he realizes he might play a big role in one of Hawaii's biggest basketball games ever.
"Indiana will be a big challenge for the big men since they are an inside-oriented team," Galloway said. "It should be a real battle of the boards. It could be the determining factor of the game. I think we've got all the bugs out and we're ready to show what we've got."
Carter, the team leader who, along with backcourt mate Alika Smith supplies most of the UH firepower, agreed.
"We've all got our jitters out and we're ready to be intense but not nervous. Rebounding and running our offense to the best of our abilities will be the keys," he said. "We're ready."
United Airlines Tipoff
Indiana vs. Hawaii, Nov. 28, 7:07 p.m.; Illinois State vs. Northeast Louisiana, 9 p.m.
1997-98 Rainbow Men’s Basketball
Schedule and Recordhttp://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
