RAINBOW BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
@ San Jose State Spartans
Tip-off -- 5:30 p.m. (HST) tomorrow, University Events Center.
Coaches -- Hawaii: Riley Wallace, 14th season at UH (212-196); 16th major-college (227-223). San Jose State: Steve Barnes, second season at SJSU and major-college (29-27).
Season -- Hawaii: 13-12 overall, 7-7 Western Athletic Conference (tied for fifth place). San Jose State: 14-12 overall, 6-9 WAC (seventh place).
Series -- Hawaii leads, 8-5, including 7-2 in WAC games. The Spartans have won the last two games in San Jose, including 67-50 last season. Last meeting -- Hawaii beat visiting San Jose State, 65-64, in overtime on Jan. 20 this year, despite blowing an 11-point lead. Phil Martin scored 21 points.
Hawaii starters -- F Nerijus Puida (6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Sr., 9.2 ppg., 5.8 rpg, 4.6 apg.); Post Troy Ostler (6-10, 220, Sr., 16.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg.); Post Phil Martin (6-7, 198, Fr., 9.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G Mike McIntyre (6-3, 205, Jr., 7.0 ppg, 1.8 apg); G Predrag Savovic (6-6, 225, Jr., 17.3 ppg, 4.,9 rpg, 3.4 apg).
San Jose State starters -- F Andre Valentine (6-4, 187, Jr., 5.3 ppg., 2.3 rpg.); F Cory Powell (6-5, 224, Sr., 13.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg.); C Darnell Williams (6-7, 204, 12.2 ppg., 7.3 rpg., 2.3 apg.); G Billy Landrum (6-6, 192, Sr., 8.8 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 1.8 apg.); G Scott Sonnenberg (5-11, 167, Jr., 5.1 ppg., 1.8 apg.).
Game keys -- The Spartans yield a WAC-low 63.2 points per game. Hawaii must maintain discipline on the offensive end; the Rainbows face the dilemma of needing to loosen up the Spartans' 2-3 zone by hitting outside shots, but they have not been consistent jump-shooters on the road. "We need to come out with our guns loaded," McIntyre said. "But we still have to be careful and take the right shots. Our offense has to be productive in using the clock and taking good shots." ... The Spartans outrebound their opponents by a league-high 6.8 per game. They got 39 boards to 31 for UH in the game at Hawaii. The availability of 6-10 Haim Shimonovich this time might even that out for UH.
Also of note -- These are two of the WAC's hotter teams; San Jose State has won four of its last five, Hawaii has won its last three. ... If Hawaii wins, it clinches at least sixth place in the final WAC standings. ... UH's last road win was Jan. 20, 2000 at Rice. ... McIntyre and Williams both went to Long Beach Poly High School, but Williams did not play basketball there. ... Spartan starting point guard Mike Garrett, who scored 21 against Hawaii in January, is out with a knee injury.
On the air -- Radio: Rainbow Sports Radio (KCCN 1420-AM) live.
Television: Not televised in Hawaii.
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
Dave Reardon, Star-Bulletin
WAHINE BASKETBALL PLAYBOOK
vs. Texas-El Paso Miners
Tipoff -- 7 p.m. tomorrow, Stan Sheriff Center.
Coaches -- Hawaii: Vince Goo, 14th season (281-122, .697); Texas-El Paso: Sandra Rushing, 12th season (136-182 .428).
Season -- Hawaii: 20-6 overall, 11-4 Western Athletic Conference. Texas-El Paso: 8-18 overall, 4-11 WAC.
Series -- Hawaii leads, 7-0. Last meeting -- Hawaii defeated the host Miners, 63-42, Jan. 14 this year. Jana Gabrielova led UH with 23 points.
Top players -- Hawaii: F Crystal Lee (5-foot-11, Sr., 16.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game); F Kylie Galloway (6-0, Sr., 14.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg); C Dainora Puida (6-4, Sr., 10.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg). Texas-El Paso: F Amy Pack (6-0, Soph., 19.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg); F Heidi Walker (6-1, Soph., 13.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg); G Christina Marta (5-5, Sr., 9.4 ppg, 3.0 assists per game).
Keys -- The Wahine want to complete the home season with their 15th victory at the Stan Sheriff Center. Goo says a win would be nice, but it's just as important for the team to perform well. "If we do that, then I think we'll have an advantage at the WAC tournament. Everyone except us, UTEP and San Jose State plays Saturday." ... The motivation for the Miners to pull off the upset is the possibility of avoiding the play-in game Tuesday at the WAC tournament between the eighth- and ninth-place teams. ... For the Wahine, it's the final opportunity to fine-tune all aspects of their game and show cohesiveness before entering the postseason.
Also of note -- Anyone 55 years or older will be admitted free tomorrow. ... In the latest NCAA statistics, UH sophomore Christen Roper is seventh in blocked shots (2.7 per game). The Wahine are second in field goal percentage defense (33.9), 10th in scoring defense (56.8) and 14th in free-throw percentage (75.9). ... The six Wahine defeats have been by an average of 4.3 points. In four of the six games, UH led at halftime. ... Hawaii remained 49th in both unofficial RPI ratings this week.
On the air -- Broadcast live on KFVE-TV (Channel 5).
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, UH students with valid ID. Available at Stan Sheriff Center, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 526-4400. Tickets available at Ticket Plus outlets, including Foodland (except School St. location) and Sack N Save stores. Parking: $3.
Al Chase, Star-Bulletin
