RAINBOW WAHINE BASKETBALL
League play begins with Rainbow Wahine in the chase
Hawaii women's basketball coach Jim Bolla doesn't look ahead when preparing the Rainbow Wahine for the next game, but he is convinced his team can make a statement the next two weekends.
Hawaii starts the 16-game Western Athletic Conference schedule tomorrow against the New Mexico State Aggies.
"Now we start playing for real. With the league kind of wide open right now, we have to win the ones at home and get a couple on the road," Bolla said.
NEW MEXICO STATE AT HAWAII
When: Tomorrow, 7 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: Live on KFVE, Ch. 5
Radio: Live on KKEA, 1420-AM
Tickets: All seats general admission. $8 adults, $6 seniors UH students with valid ID and children ages 4-18 free
Parking: $3
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"There is no clear-cut favorite. We have the potential to set a real tone as far as conference is concerned the next two weeks."
UH hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday, then travels to Nevada and Fresno State, the top three teams in the coaches preseason poll.
In practice Monday, the Wahine again worked on the proper way to attack a zone, how to find the gaps and recognize the options available. Oklahoma State played a high 2-3 zone and the Wahine didn't take advantage of openings along the baseline.
Yesterday was a complete review of the offense, free throws and position shooting.
The Wahine (6-6) and Aggies (5-7) traded away overtime victories a year ago and Bolla doesn't see much changing this year.
"The first four teams we play all have given us trouble in the past," Bolla said.
Whether or not the Wahine are at full strength won't be known until game time.
Senior wing Pam Tambini sprained her left ankle in the OSU game, worked out lightly yesterday and wants to play, but hasn't received clearance from the medical staff. Senior center Brittany Grice has a herniated disc and is doubtful.
"Both teams coming in here are athletic. We need to take advantage of our size and force them to go with a little bigger and less athletic lineup," Bolla said.
Here is a look at the WAC teams in the order they appear on the UH schedule:
NEW MEXICO STATE (5-7)
Coach: Darin Spence (510-426, .545, 34th year).
2006 WAC record: 5-11.
Players to watch: Junior point guard Monique Bribiescas and junior forward Sherell Neal.
Outlook: Anikia Jawara, a 6-1 junior college transfer, has provided immediate help with 11 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Senior guard Cecilia Russell-Nava is a 3-point threat. Neal is the leading scorer, averaging 15.4 points a game. The Aggies are coming off a 71-55 win over Colorado State. Picked seventh.
LOUISIANA TECH (5-8)
Coach: Chris Long (31-13, .705, 2nd year).
2006 WAC record: 15-1.
Players to watch: Senior forward Shan Moore and sophomore guard Eboni Mangum.
Outlook: The Lady Techsters started this season 2-7 against the 15th toughest nonconference schedule in the country, then beat Mississippi State, Alabama and Rice before losing their last game against LSU. Until someone knocks the Lady Techsters off, they are the team to beat for the WAC title. Picked first.
NEVADA (6-6)
Coach: Kim Gervasoni (30-71, .297, fourth year).
2006 WAC record: 8-8.
Players to watch: Senior point guard Traci Graham and sophomore guard Brandi Fitzgerald.
Outlook: The Wolf Pack run a three-guard offense with sophomore Dellena Criner, who has doubled her scoring average from 7.0 a year ago to 14.3, leading the way. Graham (12.4) and Fitzgerald (9.2) follow. Defensively, Nevada forces 25 turnovers per game. Picked third.
FRESNO STATE (7-5)
Coach: Adrian Wiggins (38-17, .691, third year).
2006 WAC record: 14-2.
Players to watch: Senior guard Chantella Perera and junior guard Tierre Wilson.
Outlook: The Bulldogs finished a game behind LaTech last year and have three starters and eight letter winners back to make another title run. Perera and Wilson each average better than 15 points per game and neither is afraid to shoot a 3-pointer. Senior forward Brittani Green is the top rebounder (6.3). Picked second.
IDAHO (3-8)
Coach: Mike Divilbiss (385-202, .656, 20th year).
2006 WAC record: 5-11.
Players to watch: Freshman center Katie Madison and junior wing Liz Witte.
Outlook: Madison, a 6-foot freshman, has led the Vandals in scoring eight times and has accounted for a third of the team's points with her 20.2 average. She also is the top rebounder (9.5) and draws fouls, having shot 97 free throws. Witte contributes 9.5 points per game for a team with just two active players 6-0 or taller. Picked eighth.
BOISE STATE (9-4)
Coach: Gordy Presnell (420-146, .742, 21st year).
2006 WAC record: 6-10.
Players to watch: Senior guard Nadia Begay, senior center Michelle Hessing and sophomore guard Jessica Thompson.
Outlook: After splitting their first six games, the Broncos have won six of their last seven, with the only loss coming against national powerhouse Purdue. Thompson, Hessing and senior guard Tasha Harris are scoring in double figures for Coach Presnell, who uses a 10-player rotation. The one noticeable problem is the turnovers (231). Picked fifth.
SAN JOSE STATE (1-13)
Interim coach: Derrick Allen (first year).
2006 WAC record: 8-8.
Players to watch: Sophomore guard Natalie White and freshman guard Brittany Helm.
Outlook: The Spartans lost their top player, All-WAC forward Amber Jackson, who has transferred, and they are playing for the second interim coach this season while head coach Janice Richard is on medical leave. Helm (14.8) and White (11.1) are the top scorers. It took 13 games for SJSU to taste victory. Picked sixth.
UTAH STATE (4-8)
Coach: Raegan Pebley (26-68, .277, 4th year).
2006 WAC record: 2-14.
Players to watch: Senior forward Brittany Hagen and junior guard Taylor Richards.
Outlook: Rebley has used the same starting five each game. Richards is the top scorer with an 11.0 average. It could be another long year for the Aggies, who are picked to finish ninth again.