Gueye giving out wisdom before his second year

The Hawaii basketball team's early practices have been a gradual growth process for the Rainbow Warrior big men.

With forward Ahmet Gueye returning as the only post player who suited up for the Rainbows last season, the senior's duties during the preseason include helping the newcomers get up to speed in time for UH's Nov. 10 opener at UNLV and the Western Athletic Conference schedule.

"It's tough for them because it's getting to know the plays, getting stronger every day and getting to know how tough the WAC is," Gueye said. "What we can do is just let them know what it is and what it looks like."

Gueye made the WAC's All-Newcomer and All-Defensive teams in his first year with the 'Bows before suffering a knee injury at the end of the season. Stephen Verwers also returns off last year's roster after redshirting as a transfer from Colorado State.

Their experience gives them the early edge in the competition for the starting frontcourt jobs while three junior college transfers -- Todd Follmer, P.J. Owsley and Alex Veit -- endure the learning process.

"We're trying to get across to them what the Division I level is like and the physicality of it," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "We've had good luck with our junior college transfers in the past. With repetition and the physicality of our practices, they pick up on it."

Follmer and Owsley are actually taking their second shots at Division I. Follmer redshirted at UC Santa Barbara and played at Irvine Valley College last season. Owsley played in 22 games at Montana State of the Big Sky Conference in 2003-04 before transferring to Salt Lake Community College, where he redshirted his first year and started at forward last season.

"I haven't played a WAC game yet, but I'm assuming it's a lot more physical," Owsley said. "The practices (at UH) are longer, more physical, a lot more mental."

"They're getting better every day," Gueye said. "Once they get used to the plays they'll be pretty good."

The newcomers were signed to help fill the spots vacated by starting forward Matthew Gipson and center Chris Botez, UH's top reserve last season.

Last year Gueye was among the newcomers trying to get comfortable at Division I, and his power in the post earned him a starting job and postseason accolades. Although most of the summer was spent rehabbing his knee, he was able to work on areas he felt needed improvement after his first tour of the WAC.

"Basically, everybody was bigger than me. I came in at 220 (pounds) and I was getting pounded every single time," Gueye said. "All summer long I just had to work on my strength and gain some muscle to get ready for the season."

Verwers practiced with the team last season but spent game nights on the end of the bench among the Rainbow redshirts.

"It's a totally different perspective for me," Verwers said. "Last year I was just trying to tone my game, get my body bigger and healthy and this year I can actually go out and use all the skills Coach (Bob) Nash taught me and Coach Wallace taught me and use them to my advantage."

While Gueye and Verwers have the edge in the post, Matt Gibson and Dominic Waters continue to battle for the point guard spot. Matt Lojeski is solidly ahead at shooting guard and has also worked at small forward this week, where Bobby Nash and Riley Luettgerodt have been competing. Nash and Luettgerodt also played some shooting guard in practice.

Back in the gym: UH assistant coach Alika Smith rejoined the team on Tuesday after taking time off following the death of his father, longtime Kalaheo basketball coach Pete Smith.

Alika Smith's younger brother, Kea, is also back in the gym as the Rainbows' team manager.

"Coming back to work has been something I'm sure he'd want me to do and at the same time it keeps my mind occupied," Alika Smith said. "Having family around always helps and having these guys (the UH coaches) around, it's kind of hard not to crack a smile."

Pete Smith, who spent his career as an educator and coached Alika at Kalaheo in the early 1990s, died last week after a battle with cancer.

"He started off teaching at Olomana -- he helped those kids who weren't even part of his basketball team," Alika Smith said. "It went deeper than basketball, which is something I'm very proud of and I'm sure he was. He was your ideal mentor and I was lucky enough to be his son. It's comforting to know that he's touched a lot of people's lives."

A service will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Kalaheo Gym. The public is invited.