Rainbows’ road test SAN DIEGO >> Historically, the road has not been kind to either Hawaii or San Diego State when it comes to men's basketball.
begins in San Diego
Hawaii will be happy
to leave California
with a victoryBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comWhen the Aztecs (3-3) defeated host Long Beach State on Tuesday, it was the first time in 31 years that SDSU had won two road games by early December.
"When you're in this business, you say it was a thing of beauty because wins are hard to come by, especially on the road," Aztecs coach Steve Fisher told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "We are thrilled to death to walk out of here with a victory."
Rainbow coach Riley Wallace knows the feeling. He would be happy -- extremely happy -- to be able to walk out of Cox Arena tomorrow night with a victory.
Hawaii (2-0) is 10-23 in nonconference road games since joining the Western Athletic Conference for the 1979-80 season, and that does not include an 0-5 mark in postseason road games. The Rainbows were 2-1 last year when competing in the Big Island Invitational Tournament, only the second time they were above .500 on the road outside of conference play in 23 years.
This trip wasn't hard to make, not compared to some of the Western Athletic Conference journeys to Louisiana Tech or Boise State.
This was a relatively quick jaunt, flying to San Francisco and then down here to Lindbergh Field. Hawaii got in early enough yesterday to sneak in a light workout and was scheduled for an evening practice at old Petersen Gym on the SDSU campus.
This will be the third time Hawaii has played in the 12,414-seat Cox and the first time since the breakup of the WAC. The first two trips resulted in losses, including the 81-72 stunner in 1998 when the Rainbows swaggered in, fresh off the upset of No. 1 Kansas, with an 11-1 record and a Top 25 ranking.
"I'm excited to get on the road," UH senior guard Mark Campbell said. "It's going to be a real good test for us. We've only played two games and won both convincingly. It will be good for the new guys to see what the road is like."
There is some extra motivation to defeat the Aztecs. SDSU was the only team out of 16 to come in and beat the Rainbows at the Stan Sheriff Center (61-58) last season.
"That's some motivation, but it's also about beating a good team" said Campbell, the UH team captain. "We've watched some film on them and they're good. They lost a couple of games, but they've added three good players recently. We just want to go in and show what we can do against a good team."
The Aztecs played tough in losing to No. 1 Arizona 89-81 last Saturday. Making their season debuts against the Wildcats were sophomore center Chris Manker, a transfer from Oregon State, and freshman forward Evans Burns, a UCLA signee who didn't qualify for admission to the Los Angeles school.
The Aztecs gain the services of yet another transfer in time for tomorrow's game. Travis Hanour, a wing player from Arizona, is expected to see substantial playing time.
"If we would have had Evan Burns or Chris Manker or Travis Hanour, just one of them, one more body, we would have beaten Eastern Washington and Portland," Aztec guard Steve Sir, who has started all six games, told the Union-Tribune. "Those three guys bring nothing but positive things for the team."
They also bring scouting problems for the Rainbows.
"They're not the same team as their record," Wallace said. "We've got the tapes of their games against Arizona and Long Beach, but, with adding those new kids, they'll be hard to scout.
"And it's a tough place to play. It's probably one of the best, if not the best, arenas on the West Coast. It's a great place, as long as you don't have to climb the stairs."
It is 100 steps from the court to the top of the concourse. In 1999, Wallace experienced some vertigo when coming down the steps.
What concerns the UH coach is the quickness and athleticism of tomorrow's opponent.
"They're very up-tempo and I was impressed with their speed," Wallace said. "They've got some size and athleticism.
"This would be a good win for us, to win a road game against a good team in a tough place to play. After this game, there are no more lulls in the schedule. I think we're ready for the road."
Notes: Junior forward Phil Martin is expected to be back in the starting lineup after sitting out Monday's exhibition win over Hawaii-Hilo. He was held out after missing study hall. ... The Rainbows have proved to be a good road team the past two years, winning 15 of 22 contests away from the Sheriff Center. UH won a school-record seven road games last year with four other away wins coming at a neutral site to go 11-5 outside of Honolulu.
When: Tomorrow, 5 p.m. Hawaii time Hawaii (2-0) at
San Diego State (3-3)
Where: Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl (12,414) in San Diego
TV: None
Radio: Live KKEA 1420-AM
Internet: uhathletics.hawaii.edu
Series: Hawaii leads 27-18
UH Athletics
