Wallace is glad Millsap is gone

UH takes a crack at ending its skid vs. LaTech today

Riley Wallace can sit back and actually enjoy Paul Millsap's exploits now.

For three seasons, Wallace watched Millsap pile up points and rebounds against Hawaii in leading Louisiana Tech to five consecutive wins over the Rainbow Warriors stretching over the past three seasons.

Hawaii at Louisiana Tech When: Today, 3 p.m. Where: Thomas Assembly Center Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM Internet: Sportsradio1420.com, wac.tv (pay-per-view)

A 20-point, 23-rebound performance in last year's regular-season finale had Wallace hoping the junior would jump to the pros early, and he got his wish when Millsap declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft.

"We knew he was good and couldn't stop him," Wallace said. "He was their lock. Every time the game got close or we got ahead he got a big rebound or putback or hit a shot or made free throws."

With Millsap now in his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, Wallace leads the Rainbows into the Thomas Assembly Center today looking to end the program's skid against the Bulldogs.

Tipoff for the second game of Hawaii's road trip to open the Western Athletic Conference season is set for 3 p.m. Hawaii time.

"They've got five straight wins on us, so I hope it's our turn to start winning," Wallace said.

Wallace's final visit to Ruston as UH coach brings him close to his roots in the business. Today's game marks his last visit to LaTech, a school he competed against as a player and coach at Centenary and again when the Bulldogs joined the WAC in 2001.

The Rainbows made the trek from Las Cruces to Ruston, La., yesterday following their 92-86 loss at New Mexico State on Thursday. The loss snapped Hawaii's five-game winning streak and marked the first time since 2000 that a UH team surrendered 90 points or more.

"We had a good spirited practice -- they want to get one on this trip before we come home," said Wallace, who said he was feeling better yesterday after coaching through a 100-degree fever on Thursday.

The Rainbows' recent meetings with Louisiana Tech haven't been nearly as high scoring as Thursday's game. Only twice in their 10 meetings since the Bulldogs joined the WAC has the winning team's score broken 70.

Louisiana Tech's wins during its streak against UH have come by a total of 10 points, and eight of the last nine games have been decided by four points or fewer.

"(LaTech coach Keith Richard) has been good at taking away our fast break and making us play only halfcourt," Wallace said. "All the games have been close, but they've won them, so I'm sure he'll want to do that again."

The Rainbows played well for much of a tight game with NMSU, but turnovers again plagued them, giving the ball away a season-high 23 times. They also sent the Aggies to the free-throw line 35 times and had three starters foul out.

Matt Lojeski moved into third in the WAC in scoring with his 22-point performance on Thursday. He's averaging 18.1 points per game to lead four UH starters averaging double-figure scoring. He's followed by Ahmet Gueye (11.2), Bobby Nash and Matt Gibson (10.8 each).

LaTech's current streak against UH began on Feb. 12, 2004, when the Bulldogs edged the Rainbows 62-61 at the Stan Sheriff Center. They went on to sweep the season series the past two seasons. Nash, a freshman in 2004, is the only member of this year's team who was around the last time the Rainbows beat LaTech.

Millsap, the three-time national leader in rebounds, was instrumental in those wins. In six career games against UH, he averaged 19.5 points and 15.1 rebounds. He helped spoil UH's senior night last March, as Hawaii managed just 12 second-half points in a 51-48 defeat.

With Millsap gone, Louisiana Tech went 2-10 in nonconference play before opening its WAC season by pounding San Jose State 92-56 on Thursday. Forward Chad McKenzie is the only LaTech player averaging double-figure scoring, leading the Bulldogs with 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

"They're going to run a lot of motion, they have a couple 6-7 guys, they're all good athletes, and they're tough to defend," Wallace said. "When they're hitting their 3s then they're really tough."