vs. Fresno State
PLAYBOOK
By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin
Tipoff: Tomorrow 5 p.m., Selland Arena
Coaches: Hawaii, Riley Wallace, 15th season (213-209, .504 ); Fresno State, Jerry Tarkanian, 28th season (729-179, .802)
Season records: Hawaii (16-10 overall, 5-8 WAC); Fresno State (20-9 overall, 10-3 WAC)
Series record: Hawaii trails the all-time series with the Bulldogs, 13-4. The last time the Rainbows beat them (92-78) was on Feb. 28, 1998 at Selland Arena. Hawaii lost its last game at Selland, 93-66, on Jan. 30, 1999. Wallace is 4-12 against the Bulldogs.
Top players: Hawaii, Marquette Alexander, 6-8 senior center (14.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg); Predrag Savovic, 6-6 sophomore guard (12.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg); Troy Ostler, 6-9 junior forward (11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg); Johnny White, 6-1 senior guard (8.5 ppg, 2.88 apg). Fresno State, Courtney Alexander, 6-6 senior guard (25.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.8 apg); Demetrius Porter, 5-11 junior guard (13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.3 apg); Larry Abney, 6-8 senior forward (10.3 ppg, 11.6 rpg); Terrance Roberson, 6-7 senior forward (15.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.3 apg); Melvin Ely, 6-9 junior center (13.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.0 bpg).
Interesting facts: The Rainbows have lost five of their last six games, starting with Fresno State's 85-77 come-from-behind victory over Hawaii at the Stan Sheriff Center on Feb. 5. Courtney Alexander scored 30 points in that game . . . Tarkanian has led the Bulldogs to five straight 20-win seasons. But he is seeking his first NCAA tournament appearance at Fresno State and 17th in his career . . .Tark-anian is second among active coaches in winning percentage behind Kansas' Roy Williams. He has coached 41 players who've been drafted by the NBA. Courtney Alexander is expected to be Tarkanian's 10th first-round selection.
Game keys: The Rainbows must not let the Bulldogs run them off the court, a distinct danger at Selland Arena. They must find a way to contain the Fresno State fast break, and keep their turnovers down ... Preventing NCAA scoring leader Courtney Alexander from taking over the game -- especially in the second half -- is critical but probably impossible. He's been a killer in the last 20 minutes all season. Alexander scored 18 of his 30 points in the second half to erase a 10-point Hawaii lead here on Feb. 5 . . . "All I can say is we have to go out there and play defense (Hawaii is allowing an average of 86.7 points on the road) and shoot the ball better," said Wallace.
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