RAINBOW PLAYBOOK
vs. Texas-Pan American
Tip-off -- Tomorrow, 7:07 p.m., Stan Sheriff Center.
Season -- Hawaii: 1-3. Texas-Pan American: 3-4.
Coaches -- Hawaii: Riley Wallace, 14th season at UH, (200-187); overall (283-250). Texas-Pan American: Bob Hoffman, 2nd season at UTPA (15-20), overall (345-115).
Series -- The Rainbows are 2-4 against the Broncs. UH won the last meeting, 76-48, Nov. 26, 1996, at the Stan Sheriff Center.
About the Rainbows -- Wallace said yesterday he still planned on making two starting lineup changes in the wake of Saturday's 84-64 loss at UCLA. Point guard Jeep Hilton (5-11, 145, Fr.; 0.0 ppg, 2.0 apg) has played only limited minutes, as has forward Phil Martin (6-7, 198, Fr.; 2.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg). They join starting holdovers shooting guard Predrag Savovic (6-6, 225, Jr.; 16.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 spg), small forward Nerijus Puida (6.5, 195, Sr.; 9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.3 apg), and post Troy Ostler (6-10, 220, Sr.; 16.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg). Center Haim Shimonovic is not expected to play, pending ongoing eligibility questions.
About the Broncs -- UTPA has lost four straight after winning its first three. The Rainbows need to watch out for shooting guard Brian Merriweather (6-3, 185, Sr.; 20.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg), who after six games had hoisted 57 3-pointers and made 26. Other starters are forward John Braxton (6-4, 205, Sr.; 11.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), forward Kyle Sanders (6-5, 205, So.; 8.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg), point guard Kwasinda Curtis (6-1, 175, Sr.; 6.2 ppg, 5.5 apg) and center Marcus Quinn (6-9, 250, Jr., 6.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg). (Statistics do not include Wednesday's loss at Pacific).
Also of note -- Until joining UTPA last year, Hoffman coached in the NAIA, first with the Southern Nazarene women, where he won a national championship in 1989, and then the men at his alma mater, Oklahoma Baptist, which he turned into a consistent national contender.
On the air -- Radio: Rainbow Sports Radio (KCCN 1420-AM) live. Television: KFVE (Channel 5) live. Internet: http//uhathletics.hawaii.edu/Sportslive/listen.html
Tickets -- $14 all lower level, $10 upper (adult), $8 student section, $7 upper (student). Available at Stan Sheriff Center box office, or call Ticket Plus at 526-4400 for other outlets.
Dave Reardon, Star-Bulletin
