Foot traffic at the Rainbow Classic hospitality suite at the Final Four was brisk, but the fruits of the venture probably won't ripen for a couple of years. NCAA rule hurting
Dickerson's moves not lost on coaches
Rainbow Classic fieldBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comUH associate coach Bob Nash said the cycle of the NCAA's rule that limits the number of times schools can participate in certified tournaments has drained the pool of big-name programs that can participate in this year's Classic.
But he is optimistic that the field will see a boost in following years.
"The level of interest was real high for 2004 and '05, so I think we can get back to the levels we were at in the early '90s," Nash said.
The 40th annual Rainbow Classic is set for Dec. 27-30. The tournament will be moved to the week before Christmas next year in hopes of attracting a television deal.
Nash is working to fill the rest of next season's pre-conference schedule and hopes to have it completed by the end of the month.
The Rainbows are scheduled to open the season against UC Santa Barbara and will play in the Maui Invitational, which is set for Nov. 24-26 in Lahaina. This year's field will include Ohio State, Villanova, Central Michigan, San Diego State, Dayton, Santa Clara and host Chaminade.
Bracket Busters again: UH head coach Riley Wallace said the Western Athletic Conference coaches are interested in participating in Bracket Busters again next season.
The WAC coaches met in New Orleans during the Final Four and were in favor of playing in the ESPN-produced event highlighting mid-major conferences. Wallace said possible WAC entrants haven't been determined.
"It's a definite possibility, they want to do it," Wallace said.
Hawaii was one of four WAC schools to play on Bracket Busters Saturday last season, and defeated Kent State.
Recruiting buzz: The Rainbows have one scholarship to offer heading into the late signing period that opens tomorrow and runs through May 15, but Wallace said the team isn't planning on signing any players this week.
Wallace said the coaches are looking for a small forward who can also play guard, much like Carl English did in leading the Rainbows in scoring this season.
Another scholarship could open up if sophomore forward Nkeruwem Akpan earns a football scholarship. Akpan started working out at defensive end with the football team last week and has shown potential at the position.
If Akpan is awarded a football scholarship, Wallace said he could walk-on to the basketball team following football season. If Akpan remains on a basketball scholarship, he would not be able to play football.
Wallace said walk-on forward Ikaika Alama-Francis probably won't be back on the basketball team next season. Alama-Francis, a freshman from Kalaheo, joined Akpan at football practice last week and has also been working at defensive end.
"He's trying to get a scholarship and I can't blame him," Wallace said.
Hall of Fame credentials: Wallace is now among the few coaches who can say he's coached a Hall-of-Famer.
While at Centenary, Wallace recruited Robert Parish to the school and coached the center during his college days. Parish went on to a storied career with the Boston Celtics and was voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last week.
"I was excited for him. You already knew he was one of the greatest players, but now he's a Hall-of-Famer," Wallace said.
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Spring practice is all about planting seeds. Dickerson’s spring moves
not lost on UH coachesBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comFor Hawaii slotback Ross Dickerson, the workouts are an opportunity to ingrain the notion in the minds of the UH coaches that he can provide instant offense for the Warriors in the fall.
"You have to get in as much as possible and when you do you have to make big plays," Dickerson said. "We have a lot of talent at slotback so every chance you get you have to make those big plays and come up with the big catches."
The redshirt freshman is competing for action at one of the team's deepest positions as Britton Komine, Chad Owens, Clifton Herbert and Nate Ilaoa return at the inside receiver slots.
The UH coaches are considering moving Komine to an outside receiver spot, which could lead to more action for Dickerson, who showed off his big-play potential with several long gains in the team's scrimmage on Saturday.
"Ross Dickerson seems to have shown up every time we've had a scrimmage since he's gotten here," UH coach June Jones said.
"We have a lot of players there and he's got a long way to go. But guys that make plays find their way into the game, and he makes a lot of plays."
Dickerson redshirted last season after a standout career at Saint Louis School.
Although the Crusaders run an offense similar to the Warriors' run-and-shoot attack, Dickerson said it has taken time to adjust to the speed of the college game and to learn Jones' scheme.
"Ross is coming along nicely," UH receivers coach Ron Lee said. "He's got some real competition on the inside, though.
"He's still feeling his way through the play and not sure of himself. But once he gets his confidence he'll be outstanding. I know he'll get lots of yards after the catch."
Another Saint Louis product turned in the best catch of yesterday's practice.
Kanale George, a junior outside receiver, sprinted past his defender and twisted his body to make an over-the-shoulder catch of a Jason Whieldon pass near the goal line.
George has waited his turn behind Justin Colbert the past two years. Colbert completed his eligibility last season and George hopes he can earn some playing time in the fall.
"It's a big spring for me," George said. "I'm still a walk-on and I still have to prove a lot to actually get out there.
"They're moving guys all over to see who they're comfortable with and who can step up and play."
Komine caught 58 passes for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns last season to lead the returning receivers. Jeremiah Cockheran (49 receptions, 731 yards, 5 TDs) returns at the "Z" receiver spot.
Staying healthy: The Warriors came out of Saturday's full-contact scrimmage relatively unscathed.
Jones usually limits the amount of hitting the players are allowed during practices, but turned the team loose in a 40-play scrimmage and reported no significant injuries.
Sophomore cornerback Kenny Patton has a strained hip, but he should be back soon.
"You hold your breath every time you do that, but it's something you have to do because it's part of the game," Jones said.
Short yardage: UH continues to shift its offensive line. Some of the more notable changes yesterday were Ryan Santos from right tackle to right guard, Brandon Eaton from left guard to left tackle and Uriah Moenoa from left guard to right guard. Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said all the moves are temporary to develop depth and understanding of the various positions. ... The Warriors have altered their practice schedule for this week. The team will be on the field tomorrow, Thursday and Friday and take Saturday off. The Warriors have six more workouts left before concluding spring practice April 24. ... Season ticket renewals are slated to be sent out this week. ... The eighth annual Ed Wong Memorial Golf Tournament is set for April 22 at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club. The tournament is run by the Na Koa Football Club, the UH football program's booster organization. Details are available online at www.nakoa.org.