Benson: UH’s NIT
hopes still alive

The head of the WAC says a win
today would leave the ’Bows
in good shape

RENO, Nev. » Hawaii has a good chance for a National Invitation Tournament berth if the Rainbow Warriors beat Texas-El Paso in the quarterfinal round of the WAC men's basketball tournament today, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said.

WAC tournament At Reno, Nev. All times Hawaii time men's Quarterfinals Today » Hawaii vs. UTEP, 10 a.m. (Live, KFVE) » SMU vs. Rice, 12:30 p.m. » Louisiana Tech vs. Fresno State, 4 p.m. » Boise State vs. Nevada, 6:30 p.m.

"Absolutely they do," said Benson, who met with NIT officials in New York earlier in the week and is now in Indianapolis as part of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. "They're a team with a history with the NIT and good television value. Those things add up to being a legitimate team for the NIT."

The Rainbows went into today's game 16-12 overall after Tuesday's first-round victory over San Jose State. They have lost twice to UTEP (24-7), by scores of 71-70 and 71-67.

Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier said yesterday he has already begun networking to set up a possible game.

"I'll be working the phones from before the game," Frazier said.

UH has played in either the NCAA Tournament or the NIT the past four years. In 2003, the Rainbows won at UNLV and lost at Minnesota in NIT play. Last year, they won at Utah State, at home against Nebraska, then lost at Michigan in the quarterfinals.

Overall, UH is 10-8 in eight NIT appearances. It is 0-4 in four NCAA appearances.

After practice yesterday, Hawaii coach Riley Wallace said he had no comment yet regarding UH's postseason chances.

Senior guard Jake Sottos said he would welcome an NIT opportunity, but that the Rainbows have a more lofty goal.

"We just want to advance in the tournament and we're still thinking NCAAs," Sottos said. "If Oakland can get in, we can, too."

UH needs to win three more games, including today's, to take the WAC championship and the automatic NCAA berth that comes with it. No team has won the title coming through the play-in round that entails an extra game under the tournament's current structure.