Rainbows set Hawaii continues to turn it up for tournaments.
for another
tourney title run
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comThe host of the 39th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic is working its way to a third consecutive tournament title this season and seventh out of eight dating back to the 2001 Western Athletic Conference tournament.
Hawaii (5-1) puts its 17-game home win streak on the line at 7:30 tonight when facing Tennessee Tech (6-4) in the second championship bracket semifinal. The Rainbows are coming off a 90-69 win over Bradley on Friday.
Yesterday's two-hour practice was loose, with the UH scout team arriving early to work on the game plan for the Golden Eagles. They even gave associate head coach Bob Nash a bad time because he was a little late for the prep work.
But it was serious business, too, in Gym II as the Rainbows try to keep the momentum going through the end of the nonconference schedule. They leave New Year's Eve for El Paso and their WAC opener at UTEP on Thursday.
"In a tournament, all the games are tough because it's such a quick turnaround," said UH junior guard Carl English. "There are times when you get a week to prepare. This time, you get one day. Whoever prepares the best, gets ready in that one day, will succeed.
"Coach Nash is a really good teacher. And we take pride in winning tournaments. That's what gives you the national recognition."
The Rainbows were still kidding teammate Nkeruwem Akpan about his monster game Friday night. The sophomore forward hit 10 shots in a row en route to his career-high 25 points.
"I think his first eight points came off putbacks of my misses," said English, who thought he should get credit for assists.
"He got a lot of open looks and he made his shots. He's really a crowd-pleaser."
Akpan was ready to move on.
"That's past and I'm looking forward to (today)," he said. "I'm happy that I made Riley (head coach Wallace) proud and we played good as a team.
"I'm like a project out there . The other teams don't expect to me to have that kind of game, aren't looking at me to do much."
Wallace said he was happy with the rebounding effort, which included 19 offensive boards out of 42.
"Having these tournaments out here helps us get better for later on," said Wallace. "We have things to work on. (Junior guard Michael) Kuebler disappeared a little on us and I need to get (sophomore forward Vaidotas) Peciukas more minutes.
"Tennessee Tech is a concern. They have some size, have a good 3-pointer, three starters back from a team that knows how to win.
"We'll probably see a lot of zone and they'll mix it up on defense."
Tech, which defeated Alcorn State 62-50 Friday night, is averaging 70.7 points a game. The Golden Eagles feature senior guard Brent Jolly, who is ranked in the Top 25 in the school's record book (1,022 points) and leads the team in 3-point shooting (19 of 45).
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