Rainbows’ Alexander
has toe woe
Rainbow Playbook
Wahine Playbook
By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin
Marquette Alexander, the 6-8 Hawaii senior center who might be matched against Fresno State's 6-9 center Melvin Ely tonight, had a minor moped accident yesterday while riding between classes with walk-on teammate Ryne Holliday.
Alexander, wearing sandals, reportedly suffered a painful abrasion of his big toe when it scraped against a curb. He showed up for practice but was excused.
Wallace said that he still expects to start Alexander tonight.
But it's unclear how much the injury will affect his balance.
Martin cleared: Phil Martin, a 6-7 freshman forward from Ontario, Canada, has finally gained his eligibility.
Martin, who is redshirting, had been hung up by a letter of intent conflict with a Division II school in the east.
He signed a letter with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. But a week before he was to leave for the school in August, he learned he was eligible for Division I ball.
Hawaii offered a scholarship and he accepted. But the letter with Indiana prevented him from playing.
Martin, who has practiced with the team all season, is counted upon to shore up the frontcourt next season. He will have four full years of eligibility.
"It's a weight off my shoulders," said Martin.
"I know the offense but I have a lot more work to do. I'm going to work on coming back more powerful so I can get right in there."
Long road ahead: After tonight's game, the Rainbows basically belong to the road.
Only two more home games (Feb. 17 vs. Tulsa and Feb. 19 vs. Rice) are left on the schedule.
Rainbow Playbook
vs. FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
Tipoff: Today, 7:05 p.m., Stan Sheriff Center
Coaches: Fresno State, Jerry Tarkanian, 29th season (724-177, 803); Hawaii, Riley Wallace, 15th season (212-204, 509)
Season records: Hawaii (4-3 WAC, 15-5 overall); Fresno State (5-1WAC, 15-7 overall).
Series record: Fresno State leads the series,12-4 In the last meeting, Feb. 27, 1999, the Bulldogs won, 83-71, at Stan Sheriff center.
Top players: Fresno State, Courtney Alexander, 6-6 senior forward (24.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds a game, 4.2 assists); Terrance Roberson, 6-7 senior forward (17.1ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.2 apg); Demetrius Porter,6-0 junior guard (13.7 ppg, 6.1 apg), Melvin Ely, 6-9 junior center (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Larry Abney, 6-8 senior guard-forward (10.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg) ... Hawaii, Marquette Alexander, 6-8 senior center (14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Predrag Savovic, 6-6 sophomore guard (12.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.2 apg); Troy Ostler, 6-9 junior forward (11.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Johnny White, 6-1 senior guard (9.1 ppg, 3.1 apg); Nerijus Puida, 6-5 junior forward (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.0 apg); Geremy Robinson, 6-4 senior guard-forward (7.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg).
Interesting facts: Courtney Alexander unofficially leads the NCAA in scoring. He can not be officially counted because he has played in only 72 percent of the Bulldogs' games, and 75 percent is the minimum. ... The Bulldogs have won six of their last seven games, including Thursday's 82-76 OT win at San Jose State. ... Marquette Alexander is going for his 16th straight double digit game. ... Savovic is looking for his 10th straight double digit game. ... Hawaii has out-rebounded opponents in 10 of 20 games, but only two of the last six.
Game keys: The Rainbows must find a way to contain future NBA first-rounder Courtney Alexander while not forgetting that Porter is a 46 percent 3-point shooter and the WAC's leader in assists. ... Hawaii must get a more balanced rebounding effort than it did in the win against UTEP. No one except Marquette Alexander had more than four rebounds for Hawaii in that game. ... Savovic must continue to be a menace on the perimeter, drawing fouls, making critical defensive plays, and being able to hit the timely trey. ... Courtney Alexander must assert his physical presence immediately in the low post if the Bulldogs are to take Hawaii's inside game seriously.
On the air: Broadcast live on KCCN radio (1420 AM) and KFVE TV (Channel 5), also available on the internet at http//uhathletics.hawaii.edu/Sportslive/listen.html.
By Pat Bigold
Wahine Playbook
at FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
Tipoff: Today, 5 p.m., North Gym, Fresno, Calif.
Coaches: Fresno State, Britt King, eighth season (92-105, .467); Hawaii, Vince Goo, 13th season (255-112, .695).
Season records: Hawaii (6-1 WAC, 14-5 overall); Fresno State (2-4 WAC, 9-11 overall).
Series record: Hawaii leads the series,16-6. In the last meeting, Feb. 27, 1999, the Wahine won, 79-62, at Fresno.
Top players: Fresno State, Amanda Baker, 5-foot-10 junior forward (12.0 points a game); Tiffany Lewis, 6-0 senior forward (11.6 ppg, 10.1 rebounds a game); Lindsay Logan, 5-6 freshman guard (11.4 ppg, 6.5 assists a game). ... Hawaii, Raylene Howard, 5-11 senior guard (17.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg); Kylie Galloway, 6-0 junior forward (14.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Kyla Evers, 5-8 senior guard (10.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Hedy Liu, 5-11 senior forward (7.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg).
Interesting facts: Hawaii has an eight-game winning streak going against Fresno State and has won 14 of the last 15 meetings between the schools. ... The Bulldogs have won just two of their last 14 WAC games. ... FSU leads the WAC in field goal percentage (.448). The Bulldogs are third in steals (218), the Wahine are last (115). ... The Wahine hit 51 percent of their field goal attempts against UTEP, the fourth consecutive game they have shot better than 50 percent.
Game keys: The Wahine should enjoy a slight height advantage as Fresno State has no one taller than 6-1. ... "They are small, quick and very athletic," UH head coach Vince Goo said. ... The Bulldogs' active roster has been reduced to eight because of injuries which could be a negative if the Wahine go to their bench often. ... The Wahine will have to stop the 3-point shooting of Baker (27-of-63, .429) and Logan (34-of-109, .312) and control Lewis, who is among the top 10 rebounders in the country. ... Look for UH to go with a smaller, but quicker lineup to create better matchups on defense. That philosophy worked wonders against UTEP. ... Although Hawaii is 7-2 in North Gym in the Goo era, the Wahine always have found themselves in a tough struggle before coming away with a win.
On the air: Live on KCCN radio (1420 AM); also available on the Internet at http//uhathletics.hawaii.edu/Sportslive/listen.html.
By Al Chase
