RAINBOW BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
@ Nevada, tomorrow
Coaches -- Hawaii: Riley Wallace, 14th season at UH, (209-194); 16th overall (224-221). Nevada: Trent Johnson, 2nd season (17-32).
Season -- Hawaii: 10-10 overall, 4-5 WAC. Nevada: 8-12 overall, 1-8 WAC.
Series -- Hawaii leads, 4-3. Most recently, the Rainbows beat the Wolf Pack, 76-69, on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center as five UH players scored in double-figures, led by Mike McIntyre and Predrag Savovic with 15 points each.
Hawaii starters: Post Phil Martin (6-foot-7, 198 pounds, Fr.; 9.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg), F Nerijus Puida (6-5, 195, Sr.; 9.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Post Troy Ostler (6-10, 220, Sr.; 15.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.8 bpg), G David Hilton (5-11, 145, Fr.; 2.6 ppg, 2.6 apg), G Predrag Savovic (6-6, 220, Jr.; 17.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg).
Nevada starters: F Joao Santos (6-8, 210, Sr.; 7.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg), F Richard Stirgus (6-5, 190, Sr.; 8.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg), C Sean Paul (6-9, 240, Fr.; 5.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg); G Andre Hazel (5-11, 170, Fr.; 7.7 ppg, 4.0 apg); G Terrance Green (6-2, 180, So.; 14.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
Game keys: Coach Riley Wallace put the Rainbows through running drills during the middle of practice yesterday to try to simulate the 4,500-foot altitude in Reno. "We wanted to put them in situations where they have to play tired," Wallace said. UH has also worked on improving its zone defense to cut off Nevada's slashing attacks at the basket, as well as its own offense against the zone. ... Hawaii needs a win to build on its momentum of two consecutive victories as it heads into the stretch run of the WAC season.
Also of note: Hawaii is 0-5 on the road. ... Nevada's lone WAC victory was over Texas-El Paso, 88-77, in Reno on Jan. 27. ... Green, who scored a game-high 25 points against UH, is a relative of former Los Angeles Laker A.C. Green. ... The Rainbows practiced early this morning before flying to the mainland.
On the air: TV: KFVE (Ch. 5), live 5 p.m. (HST). Radio: KCCN 1420-AM live.
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
Dave Reardon, Star-Bulletin
