RAINBOW BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
vs. San Jose State Spartans
Coaches: Hawaii, Riley Wallace, 13th year (210-204 career). San Jose State, Steve Barnes, 1st year (11-8 career).
Season record: Hawaii (2-3 WAC, 13-5); San Jose State (2-2 WAC; 11-8).
Top players: Hawaii, 6-8 Sr. C. Marquette Alexander (14.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 79 percent free throw shooter), 6-6 So. G. Predrag Savovic (11.8 ppg, 77 percent free throw shooter), 6-1 Sr. G. Johnny White (9.2 ppg, 3.1 apg, 72 percent free throw shooter), 6-9 Jr. F. Troy Ostler (11.7 ppg, 56 percent from the floor, 6.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg), 6-5 Jr. F. Nerijus Puida (6.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.7 steals a game). San Jose State, 6-5 Jr. F. Billy Landram (12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 6-6 Jr. Darnell Williams (11.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg), 6-7 Sr. C. Eric Griffin (4.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 6-0 Sr. G. R.J. Powell (7.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.8 apg), 6-3 So. G. David Egans (5.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg).
Interesting facts: San Jose State is No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense (55.7 points a game) and last in the WAC in scoring offense (57.1)...Hawaii, which is averaging 75.2 points at home, ranks 24th in the NCAA in field goal percentage (47.9 percent)...San Jose State (37 percent) and Hawaii (39 percent) are 1-2 in the WAC in defense against field goals...San Jose State's Williams is second in the WAC in rebounding while Hawaii's Puida is second in the WAC in assists and sophomore Mike McIntyre is second in 3-point percentage (47 percent)...White has made his last 12 free throws for Hawaii, equalling Alexander's longest streak of the season...Alexander has scored in double figures in 13 straight games. ... Hawaii leads the series, 6-4.
Coach's Quotes -- Wallace on what he expects the Spartans to do defensively: "They'll play a little zone but they're a basic man-to-man team. They have good one-on-one skills." On the NCAA's recent decision to allow TV replay for review of last-second winning baskets: "I like it. Why not be right?"
Tipoff: Tomorrow, 7:05 p.m., Stan Sheriff Center.
On the air: KFVE TV (Channel 5). KCCN radio (1420 AM).
RealAudio: Click here
By Pat Bigold, Star-Bulletin
