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Keeping Score
HOW do you know? How can you tell? Who will be a star and who won't? It took time but AC
has finally made itIt takes a lot of talent and a little bit of luck to make it to the Big Show ... whether it be the NFL, NBA or MLB.
Why can a Scott Karl make it and not a Billy Blanchette? Why a Lindsay Hunter and not a George Gilmore?
Those who saw Anfernee Hardaway playing for Memphis State at the Maui Invitational never questioned he'd make it in the NBA. There was a certain look in Penny's eyes, something intangible but something very special.
The same with UTEP's Tim Hardaway and LSU's Shaquille O'Neal. No question about those two.
For a year or so, some have been asking, "Why not an Anthony Carter?''
Not any more.
How many of us have suddenly found a new NBA team to root for? After years of refusing to get excited over these overpaid playground players, I for one have a renewed interest in the pro game.
It's all because of Carter, the rookie guard for the Miami Heat.
Those who watched Carter do his magic for the University of Hawaii for two seasons were not surprised by the ex-Rainbow's unselfish play in last night's win over the Detroit Pistons. Carter had 13 assists - a Heat franchise playoff record - to go along with 10 points.
It's just nice to see AC get a chance, even if it took an injury to Tim Hardaway to make it happen.
It makes one smile when thinking back to Midnight Ohana 1997 with Carter playing Batman to Alika Smith's Robin as the Dynamic Duo entered the Stan Sheriff Center.
And, at least for this season, Carter is still wearing the cape.
Sometimes, you just never know who will make and who won't.
In AC's case, it looks like it was just a matter of time.
IT will be interesting to see what comes out of the Western Athletic Conference Council meetings this week.
Don't be surprised if talks of a Six-WAC II emerge.
The conference needs to pull itself together geographically by expanding to 12 teams and then splitting into two six-school divisions.
That Hawaii-Louisiana Tech trip is going to be brutal - and very expensive - especially for the nonrevenue-producing sports such as golf and tennis.
And don't be surprised if San Diego State tries to come back into the WAC in another year or so. The Aztecs athletic program is in trouble and may no longer be able to afford to stay in the Mountain West, either financially or competitively.
Despite what San Diego State officials have said about the treks to Hawaii (once even telling the area media that they couldn't afford the junkets), the Rainbows and Aztecs are the perfect travel partners.
UNLV is also making noises about returning to the WAC fold. An even better travel partner for the Rainbows.
Something for UH officials to consider as well is to stay in the WAC for football while moving the rest of the athletic teams to the Big West.
It's something the Big West officials have long wanted and have discussed at length.
The Wahine programs were in the Big West until 1995-96. Overall, it's a better conference for women's volleyball and basketball, and also for baseball.
The college conference landscape will be changing in another year with the expiration of several key television contracts. The University of Hawaii athletic department needs to position itself to take advantage of the realignment.
Cindy Luis is Star-Bulletin sports editor.
Her column appears weekly.
