Flex. ’Bows lineup a
work in progress
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comIt's the type of offense the Hawaii basketball team runs.
It's what sophomore forward Nkeruwem Akpan has done with his muscles during practice, so much so that he's now wearing elbow pads to save his teammates from bruises.
And it's also short for flexible which this multi-talented Rainbow team can be.
With just today's practice left before tomorrow's 5 p.m. opening exhibition, Hawaii coach Riley Wallace still hasn't decided on a starting lineup.
"It all depends on who's ready," said Wallace, beginning his 16th season in Manoa. "With this roster, it's all interchangeable. We could do a number of things."
And Wallace likely will. Against the EA Sports West All-Stars, Hawaii may go with a 3-guard lineup, using senior captain Mark Campbell (6-foot-4) at the point, and junior shooters Carl English (6-5) and newcomer Michael Kuebler (6-5).
Or the Rainbows may go big. The one constant down low has been 6-10 junior center Haim Shimonovich, but the other post positions are up for grabs.
Junior forward Phil Martin (6-8), a starter the past two seasons, has been slowed by an ankle sprain and missed a few practices. Akpan (6-8) has impressed the coaches with his physicality and his new-found ability to play more under control. And sophomore newcomer Vaidotas Peciukas (6-6), showing a lot of smoothness on offense, has picked up his defense.
"If Phil comes out the next two days, he'll be in there," Wallace said yesterday. "Tony's been working hard and we're giving him a look. Vaidotas has really picked it up."
Choices, choices, choices. And if those weren't enough, there's more bench depth that will help Hawaii create different looks.
Junior transfer point guard Jason Carter (5-10) has two speeds: fast and faster. His quickness is what he was recruited for.
Senior forward Paul Jesinskis (6-8) is very capable at the power forward spot. Redshirt freshman center Milos Zivanovic (6-11) has recovered from the spleen injury that sidelined him last year and has picked up weight.
Of the six walk-ons, freshman forward Ikaika Alama-Francis (6-7) may see the most playing time. The Kalaheo product picked up the offensive plays quickly, but is still making the transition from high-school ball.
"We'll know more after Sunday," Wallace said. "It's different when you turn the lights on.
"The guys have all been working hard and they're ready to go against somebody else. (EA Sports) has been up and down in their games and we don't know much about them. But they do have (former UH guard) Mike McIntyre and we know he'll shoot the 3.
"As for us, we could be very good or not as good. I haven't a clue right now."
The Rainbows likely will play more zone this year than in the past "just because we seem to be better in it," Wallace said, "but we do have the quickness to play 'man.' If anything, our defense right now needs to be more intense."
The addition of assistant Bob Burke has helped in the intensity department, according to Wallace. Burke also has added a couple of wrinkles on offense and defense.
"We're ready to get at it," Wallace said.
A look, position by position:
POINT GUARD
Campbell isn't getting the preseason accolades, but the Rainbows know how valuable he is. In the two previous scrimmages, whichever team had Campbell running it won.Campbell isn't flashy, but he is solid and is an excellent, unselfish passer. With opponents likely to double-team English, Campbell knows he'll need to up his scoring average to 10-12 points a game from last year's 3.4 average.
In a pinch, shooting guard Kuebler could play the point, as he did when Campbell was injured during 2000-01 and the two were teammates at Clackamas (Ore.) Community College.
Junior Carter is Campbell's heir apparent at point and is more of a scorer. With quick hands and tremendous leaping ability, he is great in the open court. And, if Wallace's prediction comes true, Carter will more than help the Rainbows' transition game.
Look to see walk-on Lance Takaki get a little more playing time if Hawaii is up big early or if the backcourt is in foul trouble.
SHOOTING GUARD
The Rainbows will miss the services of two of their best-ever 3-point shooters in Predrag Savovic and McIntyre, who are Nos. 1 and 3 on the UH career list. But English is more than ready to make his move up the chart. He is No. 8 with 73 treys.English, moving over from the 3 to his natural 2 spot, is a scorer who creates opportunities for himself and teammates.
Kuebler averaged 22.4 points at Clackamas. He's a pure shooter with a nice jumpshot and uses the backboard well.
Walk-ons Ryne Holliday, Gabe Lombard and Ramsey Williams are more than scout-team fodder, especially Holliday, who has been used as a spot defender. Williams has been out sick this past week and likely will not see time tomorrow.
SMALL FORWARD
Peciukas is the big gun here and will be an excellent replacement at the 3 for English and the graduated Mindaugas Burneika. The Lithuanian has a typical European game and is a finesse shooter who needs a little more work on defense.Walk-on Dan Pickart has worked on his shooting game and defensive skills.
POWER FORWARD
It's Martin's starting job to keep or lose. He is a steady defensive force who is usually assigned the opponent's top big man. Martin needs to up his scoring (9.0 ppg) and rebounding (5.0 rpg).Akpan has dropped some 25 pounds but increased his muscle mass. He is stronger and should be even better on defense than last year, when he had a break-out game at Fresno State and a monster block of Xavier All-American David West in the NCAA Tournament.
Paul Jesinskis continues to improve, on the court and in the weight room. He has a nice shooting touch but needs to become a little more aggressive on the boards.
Walk-on Ikaika Alama-Francis surprised the coaches during the early practices and may see more time than originally thought. He can also play small forward.
CENTER
Hawaii will be looking to get Shimonovich the ball more. If the officials allow him to play, the foul-prone big man can become one of the dominating centers in the league. He takes up a lot of space and has often been the unsung hero in the Rainbows' defense.Zivanovic is more than a capable backup and may see time at forward.
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Note: Logan Lee, a freshman point guard at South Plains (Texas) College, faxed his letter of intent to the UH basketball office yesterday. Through four games this season, he is averaging 10.8 points and 2.5 assists. "He shoots the ball well," Wallace said. "He is a very good student and has similar game instincts as Mark Campbell." Lee will have three years of eligibility. He is the third recruit to sign with Hawaii during the early signing period, the others being Iolani senior Bobby Nash and Jeff Blackett of Salt Lake City Community College. The Rainbows have one scholarship remaining for next season and aren't expected to award that until the spring signing period.
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