Saturday, December 15, 2001
[ UH BASKETBALL ]
|
Hawaii's Predrag Savovic made his long-awaited season debut last night at the Stan Sheriff Center after months of NCAA eligibility issues were finally resolved. Long layoff shows as Savo
struggles in his first
game of the seasonBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comHe got the kind of one-name introduction reserved for only a few true icons, people like Pele, Madonna, or Ichiro.
"And, from Herceg Novi, Yugoslavia," p.a. announcer Keenan Goo bellowed, "Number 1, SAVO."
The focus was on him, but Savovic's rust showed in San Diego State's 61-58 victory over Hawaii. He played more like a no-name than a one-name.
Savovic scored 12 points, but missed all five of his shots from the floor in the first half, including three air balls. He made only one of his first 11 tries from the field.
"I'm definitely disappointed in myself, but you learn," Savovic said. "I hope we all learn. We've lost games in the past. We lost now and that's it."
UH coach Riley Wallace said the loss wasn't Savovic's fault, and he expects his star player will bounce back.
"He's broken up about it. He wanted it, the people wanted it," Wallace said. "Savo didn't lose this ballgame, our offensive execution lost it. Like anyone else he'll have his good nights and his bad nights. There will be people who say I played him too much (33 minutes), but he will play the same minutes (next game)."
Savovic has practiced with the Rainbows all season, but this was his first game with his teammates since last spring's NCAA Tournament loss to Syracuse.
"Game is different (than practice). I know people are expecting more from me," Savovic said. "My teammates and everyone are making the transition easy for me."
Although Savovic's performance was definitely not one of his better ones, sophomore guard Carl English said he was glad the Rainbows' leader is back on the court.
"It was great," English said. "We've just got to get used to playing with each other again."
Savovic, an all-Western Athletic Conference guard and Hawaii's leading scorer last year, did hit a key 3-pointer down the stretch. It was UH's first trey in nearly two games.
His 21-footer made it 54-52, San Diego State with 2:22 left.
But it wasn't enough.
Savovic was in the game for the Rainbows' final attempt at tying the game, but Mike McIntyre took UH's unsuccessful last-gasp three-point attempt.
Savovic made his first basket with 16:10 left in the game on an uncontested layup. English won a scrap for the ball, knocking it to Mark Campbell who passed it forward to Savovic. Combined with two Savovic free throws, it gave UH a 31-24 lead after the Aztecs had closed to within three points.
But the Rainbows could never totally shake free from the Aztecs, who came back strong in the second half.
Savovic promises better, beginning with next week's Rainbow Classic.
"I haven't played in a long time," Savovic said. "As a team we didn't do many things like we're supposed to. It's a team effort. We weren't executing. Just looking for the first option. Everyone will take something from it. We'll be better."
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii