RAINBOW BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
vs. Texas christian horned frogs
Tipoff: Tomorrow, 3:05 p.m HST., Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas.
Coaches: Hawaii, Riley Wallace, 15th season (212-205, .508 ); TCU, Billy Tubbs, 26th season (553-267, .674).
Season records: Hawaii (4-4 WAC, 15-6 overall); TCU (4-4 WAC, 13-11 overall).
Series record: Hawaii trails the all-time series with the Horned Frogs, 5-1. Hawaii snapped a five-game losing streak to TCU with a 90-86 win on Jan. 15 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii is 0-3 at TCU.
Top players: TCU, Marquise Gainous, 6-9 senior forward (19.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Ryan Carroll, 6-4 junior guard-forward (15.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), Myron Anthony, 6-6 junior forward (12.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Estell Lasster, 6-2 junior guard (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Derrick Davenport, 6-10 junior center (12.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.08 bpg). Hawaii, Marquette Alexander, 6-8 senior center (15.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg); Predrag Savovic, 6-6 sophomore guard (12.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Troy Ostler, 6-9 junior forward (11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Johnny White, 6-1 senior guard (8.7 ppg, 2.9 apg); Nerijus Puida, 6-5 junior forward (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.0 apg).
Interesting facts: The sting of last weekend's 84-75 loss to Fresno State, in which the Rainbows blew a 10-point second-half lead, was still smarting during midafternoon practice Monday. Wallace's voice resounded off the walls of the upper gym like a rifle shot as he prepped his players for this crucial two-game road trip. Hawaii had hoped for a sweep of the three-game homestand to be in position for a run at the NIT. ...The Bernard McIntosh defection puts more on the shoulders of 7-foot junior Todd Fields. Wallace said Fields gave him some quality defensive time in relief of Alexander at center against Fresno State. "I have to give him a few more minutes," said Wallace. "Defensively, he looks like he's ready to play, even though offensively he hasn't given us a lot." Fields impressed when he refused to let Bulldogs center Melvin Ely back in on him during a two-minute stretch in the first half Saturday night. ... KFVE will televise tomorrow's game at TCU and Saturday's at Southern Methodist. The final road games at San Jose State on Feb. 26 and Fresno State on March 4 will also be televised.
Game keys: Hawaii must improve its transition defense. Too many easy baskets were yielded against Fresno State. ...The Rainbows have outrebounded their last two opponents. But they must get some rebounds from Fields off the bench to make up for McIntosh's absence. Hawaii can't count on a double-double from Alexander every night. Hawaii was outrebounded, 36-32, in the last meeting with TCU. ...Reserve small forward Lane O'Connor will have to start contributing some outside firepower while playing more minutes. ...Gainous cannot be allowed to score double his average as he did in the last meeting with the Rainbows. ...Hawaii shot 77 percent from the free-throw line during the recent homestand. That must get better, not worse, at TCU. The Rainbows shot only 65 percent at the line (26 for 40) against the Horned Frogs on Jan. 15.
On the air: Broadcast live on KCCN-AM (1420) and KFVE-TV (Channel 5).
RealAudio: Click here
By Pat Bigold, Star-Bulletin
WAHINE BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs
Tipoff: Tomorrow, 7:05 p.m., Stan Sheriff Center.
Coaches: Hawaii, Vince Goo, 13th season (256-112, .696); Texas Christian, Jeff Mittie, 8th season (163-70, .700).
Season records: Hawaii (7-1 WAC, 15-5 overall); Texas Christian (3-5 WAC, 12-11 overall).
Series record: Hawaii leads the series, 4-0. In the last meeting, Jan. 15, 2000, the Wahine won, 70-62, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Top players: Texas Christian, Diamond Jackson, 5-foot-10 senior guard (12.8 points, 1.5 steals per game); Amy Sutton, 5-9 junior guard (11.4 ppg, .827 free throw percentage); Tricia Payne, 5-11 sophomore guard (10.8 ppg); Jill Sutton, 5-9 junior guard (10.3 ppg). ... Hawaii, Raylene Howard, 5-11 senior guard (17.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Kylie Galloway, 6-0 junior forward (14.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg); Kyla Evers, 5-8 senior guard (10.7 ppg, 3.5 assists per game); Dainora Puida, 6-4 junior center (10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Hedy Liu, 5-11 senior forward, (6.1 rpg).
Interesting facts: The Horned Frogs have made 158 of their 446 3-point field goal attempts. When the Wahine played TCU on the road earlier this season, the Horned Frogs were tied for 11th in the nation in 3-point shots made per game (7.6). Since then they have dropped into a tie for 18th nationally (6.8 made per game). ... The Horned Frogs have stolen the ball 204 times to the Wahine 130. ... Hawaii's six-game winning streak is the longest since the Wahine reeled off 19 consecutive wins in 1997-98. ... The Wahine are averaging 19.3 turnovers per WAC game after committing 18 per game in 12 nonconference games. ... It's McCully Bicycle & Sports Goods Night. Buy one ticket and get one free. ... TCU is 1-6 on the road this season.
Game keys: In their last game, the Horned Frogs ran away from Tulsa in the second half for an 80-58 victory. They shot 68 percent from the field in the second half. ... The Wahine know TCU has the athletes to generate an explosive offense and must remain focused on their defensive assignments. ... Jill Sutton (50-for-121), Amy Sutton (31-for-88) and Diamond Jackson (42-for-119) pull the trigger on 3-point shots any time, anywhere. In the first meeting this season, UH held TCU to 2-for-10 from beyond the arc, but that opened the door for center Kim Walter (7.3 ppg) to score a game-high 23 points. The Wahine will have to address that fact with their defensive strategy. ... And, Hawaii can't overlook guard Tricia Payne, a Raylene Howard-type player who does everything well. ... Most of all, the Wahine need to concentrate on the Horned Frogs tomorrow night and not look ahead, period.
Tickets: $6 adults, $5 senior citizens, $4 students 4-18 and UH students with valid ID. Available at the Stan Sheriff Center, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by telephone, 944-2697 ($1 fee assessed per ticket). Only Mastercard and Visa accepted. The box office remains open for weekday games and opens two hours before Saturday games. $3 parking charge.
On the air: Live on KFVE-TV (Channel 5).
RealAudio: Live 'Net broadcast Click Here
By Al Chase, Star-Bulletin
