Rainbows need
late-season revival
in WAC tourney

Hawaii coach Riley Wallace
hopes having a play-in game
works to the 'Bows' advantage

RENO, Nev. » In the 1998 WAC tournament, host UNLV had to play a game before it took on Hawaii, which had a first-round bye.

The result was one of the most disappointing losses in Rainbows history. UH, featuring senior guards Anthony Carter and Alika Smith, lost 64-59 to the Rebels.

Now the Rainbows (15-12, 7-11 WAC) are the ones with the "play-in" game, today at 4 p.m., Hawaii time, against San Jose State (7-21, 3-15) at the Lawlor Events Center. Being one of the four teams that plays an extra game to qualify for the quarterfinals is what every WAC coach tries to avoid. But it does have its advantages.

"It can work the other way," UH coach Riley Wallace said after yesterday's practice at nearby Sparks High School. "We were on the other end of it against Vegas. We got to rest all week and they played, and they were a lot sharper."

And if you're the No. 7 seed, another plus is that you play the No. 10 seed -- in this case, the only WAC team UH beat in both meetings this season.

Senior forward Jeff Blackett said the Rainbows aren't considering the game against the Spartans as a warm-up scrimmage. But he and junior forward Julian Sensley agreed it's nice to have a chance to acclimate.

"In the play-in game we have a chance to get used to the gym and get some experience on the court that the other teams coming in fresh don't have," Blackett said. "We wish we were a higher seed, but you have to make due with what you have."

This is the first time UH is playing in the first round in the WAC's current 10-team format.

Having an extra game to get used to the high altitude could help later in the week, Sensley said. He also said taking a look back to the last time the Rainbows played in a tournament might help; that was Dec. 20-23, when UH won the Rainbow Classic to improve to 8-0. It is 7-12 since.

"We were really playing as a team then," Sensley said. "Throughout the season we've had our ups and downs, a lot of it because of people being selfish, including myself."

Some think Sensley isn't selfish enough on the court. They want the talented 6-foot-9 forward to be more assertive, especially with the ball.

Sensley said his style of play is a by-product of UH's offensive system.

"I'm a utility guy. Our offense has so much built around the guards," Sensley said. "I try to get my points from offensive rebounds, that kind of thing. I set picks, make passes. It's the way Coach's offense is. He asks you to do your job, and you do it the best you can."

Wallace said Sensley does a lot many people don't notice.

"I think he is a passive person in his lifestyle, and sometimes it enters his game," the coach said. "But people put too much on his scoring (12.0 ppg). He's our leader in rebounding (7.0) and assists (3.1). You can lead without scoring, but he scores, too. He doesn't have to do all the scoring to be an energizer."

Some question Sensley's passion in recent games. Wallace doesn't; Sensley volunteered for the toughest defensive assignment today, Spartans forward Marquin Chandler (19.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg).

Blackett had the primary responsibility in the two regular-season games, and Chandler averaged 23.5 and 7.0.

"We'll talk about that as a staff. It's nice to have guys asking to do it, because it's not an easy job," Wallace said.

Johnson's last stand: San Jose State formally announced yesterday that coach Phil Johnson has resigned, and the WAC tournament represents his final game or games on the Spartans sideline.

Will it give San Jose State extra motivation today?

"I don't know. It depends on whether the players like him or not," Wallace said. "I know he's a great coach, but he's in a tough situation where they don't get the kind of financial support you need."

Going into today's game, Johnson's record is 31-82 in four seasons at San Jose State.

Groce out?: Wallace was deciding on sophomore guard Kris Groce's future with the team last night.

Groce sat out the end of yesterday's practice when Wallace benched him because of a poor attitude.

"That's Kris Groce," Wallace said when asked for specifics, implying ongoing discipline problems.

Wallace had not decided last night whether Groce would be sent back to Hawaii or remain with the team. He also did not know yet if Groce would remain a member of the team.

"I'm working on it," the coach said.

Groce, a 5-foot-10 transfer from Columbia Basin Junior College, has played 76 minutes in 11 games this season, averaging 1.0 points-per-game, 0.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists.

"I have nothing to say," Groce said.

Abele still doubtful: Wahine forward Jade Abele underwent an MRI to determine the extent of the damage to her knee suffered in Saturday's loss at Fresno State. Before the MRI was analyzed, she was listed as doubtful for today's first-round game against Nevada.

The other women's play-in game featured Boise State and UTEP.

The Boise State men were slated to play Tulsa in the other men's first-round game, following the UH-San Jose State game.

Layups: Participants in the tournament received portable DVD players as a gift from the WAC. ... The Rainbows went into today's game 0-8 in Reno and 0-5 at the Lawlor Events Center.