WAHINE BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
@ San Jose State Spartans
Tipoff -- Tomorrow, 5:30 p.m., The Event Center, San Jose, California.
Coaches -- Hawaii, Vince Goo, 14th season (280-121, .698); San Jose State, Janice Richard, 8th season (174-71, .710).
Season -- Hawaii (19-5 overall, 10-3 conference); San Jose State (12-13 overall, 4-10 conference).
Series -- Hawaii leads, 28-5. Last meeting: The Spartans pulled out a last-second win, 74-72, Jan. 21, 2001, at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Top players -- Hawaii, Forward Crystal Lee (5-foot-11 Sr., 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game); forward Kylie Galloway (6-0 Sr., 15.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg); center Dainora Puida (6-4 Sr., 10.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg), and point guard Jana Gabrielova (5-6 Jr., 9.1 ppg, 3.8 assists per game). ... San Jose State, Guard Atari Parker (5-9 Jr., 17.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg); guard Danada Smith (5-8 Jr., 16.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), and guard Crickett Williams (5-7 Fr., 11.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
Keys - The Wahine know they should have won the first game between the teams. They have to take advantage of San Jose State turnovers (20 per game) and protect the ball against the quick Spartans. Hawaii's power game normally results in the Wahine spending time at the free throw line. The Spartans foul a lot. Hawaii doesn't want to get into a run-and-gun shootout. The Wahine would be better served by controlling the tempo of the game and executing the half-court offense. Hawaii will attempt to contain SJSU's top two scorers, Danada Smith and Atari Parker, by denying them the ball and forcing them away from their strengths. ... With UTEP's huge upset of Texas Christian last night, the Wahine could be playing for a share of first place Sunday if they defeat San Jose State. That should provide unlimited quantities of motivation.
Also of note - Kylie Galloway had the stitches removed from the bridge of her nose yesterday and has been cleared to play in this weekend's games. She most likely will wear a protective device in the games, and has practiced under "no contact" rules, according to UH head coach Vince Goo. ... The Spartans are 2-5 in Western Athletic Conference home games. ... The Wahine have moved up to No 49 in the unofficial RPI ratings by Collegiate Basketball News and CollegeRPI.com despite a split on their last road trip. Three weeks ago they were No. 68. The only WAC team with a better RPI rating is Texas Christian, Sunday's opponent. ... Crystal Lee needs nine more 3-point field goals to move into fifth place on the all-time UH list, ahead of Raylene Howard who sank 83 during her four-year career. Lee needs seven more successful free throws to take over the eighth spot on the all-time list.
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By Al Chase, Star-Bulletin
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
