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The Way I See It
THEY'RE entering the conference season five victories short of their 1999 nonconference record, but the 6-5 Rainbow men's basketball team has captured the imaginations of some. UH hoops playing
with heart againLast spring, I wrote that the 'Bows' tooth 'n nail double-OT loss to Fresno State in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals signalled a new era for the program.
I said if the returnees could draw the newcomers into their momentum, expect a 20-win season.
That's nearly impossible now.
The road hasn't been kind to the 'Bows. They must open their WAC schedule with two games in Texas.
After starting the nonconference season 11-2 last year, they finished 17-11.
But after seeing the current 'Bows push No. 5 Tennessee to the wall in the Rainbow Classic final last weekend, I'm convinced the heart is definitely back in this team.
With injuries to Troy Ostler, Mike McIntyre and Bosko Radovic, and 6-foot-10 center Haim Shimonovic still waiting on NCAA clearance, Hawaii remained remarkably competitive thanks to newcomers.
Junior forward Mindaugus Burneika, seems to be as skilled as he is fearless.
Freshman point guard David "Jeep" Hilton, who learned his game on the streets of Queens, New York, has become the key to the offense's ignition.
Redshirt freshman guard Carl English has shown he'll fight you all day for a rebound.
Redshirt freshman Phil Martin, a 6-foot-7 Ontario native, is playing tough in the low post despite being mismatched by up to five inches.
But we're about find out what's really important. Can Hawaii win on the road this season? If the 'Bows come back 1-1 or better from this week's trip, there's hope for a strong finish.
If they return 0-2, this could be a long season.
A few weeks ago, I thought Hawaii's backcourt situation was shaky enough to bench them early.
But now Hilton, who spent his last three years playing both the point and shooting guard spots for The Hyde School in Connecticut, is asserting his right to play the point.
HILTON lived in 16 different places until he was 19 and was on the street briefly at 17. Nobody can appreciate a college scholarship the way this guy does. No obstacle on the court seems insurmountable.
Last spring, he said he couldn't sleep nights he was so excited about his scholarship at UH.
Bob Gibbons of All-Star Report, a North Carolina-based recruiting magazine, raved about Hilton back in April.
"This kid has poise, confidence and can run the show. He'll be their equivalent of a Jason Williams at Duke,'' was the assessment Gibbons gave.
Hilton's prep school coach, Tom Stoup, said he was a "phenomenal 3-point shooter."
It would be interesting to see him display that ability here.
As for Shimonovic, the NCAA will probably reinstate him soon to avoid losing face in court again
A judge recently overruled the NCAA's ban on Louisville's 6-11 Nigerian center, Muhammed Lasege, who signed pro contracts in Russia but never played.
Shimonovic, a member of the Israeli military until last August, played in his country's top pro league. But because he was in the military, he did not receive payment from his club team.
If Shimonovic can play, he'll take pressure off Ostler. That could allow the talented Utah native to pursue the All-WAC season he's destined to have.
Pat Bigold has covered sports for daily newspapers
in Hawaii and Massachusetts since 1978.
Email Pat: pbigold@starbulletin.com