Hawaii pegged
to finish fifth
in WAC race

The Athlon Sports College Basketball 1999-2000 magazine projects the University of Hawaii men's basketball team to finish fifth in the eight-team Western Athletic Conference this season.

The magazine has Fresno State topping the conference with TCU, SMU and Tulsa finishing second, third and fourth, respectively.

"This will be a completely different team," said UH coach Riley Wallace. He said he expects the Rainbows to be better but doesn't mind the conservative projection from the national publication.

"I have a feeling they (Rainbows) will run the offense pretty good," he said. "We'll have to work on them defensively, because they're not a real physical team."

Associate head coach Bob Nash said while the Rainbows have better shooters up front this year, they also have depth in the backcourt.

In addition to returning starting point guard Johnny White, Hawaii has backup freshman Carl English and transfer guard-forward Nerijus Puida.

Nash said English seems to be "a little more advanced than the average freshman."

But he said the Newfoundland import still has a lot to learn about Wallace's offense.

"In a wide-open game, he'll be just great," said Nash. "But Coach Wallace is in a halfcourt, controlled offense at times, and that's when point guards have to make decisions. That will take Carl a little longer to learn."

Pleased with Fields

Both Wallace and Nash said they are pleased with the progress of 7-foot transfer Todd Fields, who has been strengthening his injured leg daily and playing aggressively against team captain Marquette Alexander during unsupervised intrasquad games in the upper gym on campus.

"He's healthier than Seth Sundberg was at the same stage in 1995," said Wallace.

Three players (White, English and forward Troy Ostler) are nursing minor ankle injuries incurred during the intrasquad games.

Alexander a prospect

Nash said the 6-8 Alexander is "on the verge of being a NBA prospect."

"There are things he has to improve, post defense and guarding people out on the perimeter," he said.

"But he's shown the ability to score in the post on anyone. His jump hook is as good as anybody's in the conference. He has a knack for scoring."

Walk-on standouts

There are five walk-on candidates currently working out in the upper gym.

But the two who have stood out as the best possibilities to contribute this season are the siblings of better known college players.

Nash said Tre' Stovall, the younger brother of Virginia Lady Cavs starting guard Erin Stovall, is very impressive.

"I think he's the most athletic walk-on we've had in a while," said Nash. "He's one of those guys who could be playing for a scholarship some place."

Stovall played high school ball in California, then spent the next year at a junior college in North Carolina.

Nash said that Oa McGee, younger brother of four-year Rainbow player Kalia McGee (1991-94), is bigger and stronger than his brother.

"He seems to be a tough defender, more of a slasher than a shooter, physical and jumps well," said Nash.

McGee attended a prep school in New England last school year.

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Pat Bigold