WAHINE BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
vs. San Jose State Spartans
Tipoff -- Tomorrow, 5 p.m., Stan Sheriff Center; alumnae game at 3 p.m.
Coaches -- Hawaii: Vince Goo, 14th season (273-119, .696); San Jose State: Janice Richard, 8th season (171-65 .725).
Season -- Hawaii (12-3, 3-1 WAC); San Jose State (9-7, 1-4 WAC).
Series -- Hawaii leads, 28-4. Last meeting: UH won at home, 69-42, Feb. 26, 2000.
Top players -- Hawaii: Forward Kylie Galloway (6-foot, Sr., 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds per game); forward Crystal Lee (5-11, Sr., 15.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg); center Dainora Puida (6-4. Sr., 10.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg); center Christen Roper (6-5, Soph., 3.1 blocks per game). San Jose State: Guard Atari Parker (5-9, Jr., 17.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg); guard Danada Smith (5-8, Jr., 16.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg); guard Cricket Williams (5-7, Fr., 11.9 ppg, 4.5 assists, 2.6 steals per game).
Keys -- Richard has rebuilt the Spartans with seven JC transfers and talented freshmen. This is a completely different team in personality, style and athletic ability from a year ago. The Spartans feature a strong perimeter game with three guards who shoot the 3 well, but also can hit the pull-up jumper. They love to run and gamble on defense with a couple of trap plays, especially the 2-3 at midcourt. They can extend that to three-quarters court if necessary. ... The Wahine will have to maintain their composure on offense and be keenly aware to stopping the Spartans' transition game on defense. Look for Hawaii to use its power game since some of the Spartans have a tendency to foul. If the power game is working, the Wahine have to convert those layup opportunities, something they didn't do at Tulsa. The bench might be a factor if point guard Jana Gabrielova isn't completely recovered from a bout with the flu.
Also of note -- It's Food Bank Night tomorrow. Fans bringing two new food items will get in free. ... Jana Gabrielova's coaches from Bratislava, Slovakia, Viliam Pesta and Juraj Panak, are visiting until the end of the month. ... Freshman guard Mel Croser from Gold Coast, Australia, has voluntarily left the team. Croser saw little court time, averaging 2.6 minutes in the six games she played. ... Hawaii is ranked 60th in both the latest RPI ratings, Collegiate Basketball News and CollegeRPI.com. Ratings for the rest of the WAC are: TCU (44 CBN, 41 CRPI), Rice (52, 51), SMU (88, 84), Nevada (93, 91), San Jose State (175, 179), Fresno State (188, 188), Tulsa (189, 189) and UTEP (237, 237). ... The 11 Wahine preseason opponents are a combined 82-90 through last weekend's game. The teams UH defeated are 62-78.
On the air -- Broadcast live on KFVE-TV (Channel 5); KCCN (1420 AM)
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
Tickets -- Lower level, $8 adults, $6 Super Rooter UH students; Upper level, $6 adults, $5 senior citizens (65 and over), $4 students 4-18 and UH students with valid ID. Available at Stan Sheriff Center, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling 526-4400. Tickets also available at Ticket Plus outlets, including Foodland (except School Street Location) and Sack 'n Save stores. There is a $3 parking charge.
Al Chase, Star-Bulletin
