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Warriors look to get back on track against Vulcans

When in need of something, family is often the best option. The University of Hawai’i basketball team is hoping that’s the case this week, as it is in need of a victory and will play its NCAA Division II brother school Hawai’i-Hilo.

The Warriors will host the Vulcans at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai’i is 2-2 after dropping its last two games. UH-Hilo is 1-1, with both games against fellow NCAA-II opponents.

“They’re a team that likes to get up and down, not a big team,” Hawai’i assistant coach Brandyn Akana said. “They’re a team that’s looking to run, push it up in transition, get to the paint, kick out for shots. They’re a team that is quite similar to ours where they do a lot of up-tempo offense, so it should be interesting.”

Nevels_NMSU

The Warriors were out-rebounded by taller teams in their last two games, but the Vulcans will be significantly smaller this week. UH-Hilo does not have any players on its roster taller than 6 feet 7. The two tallest Vulcans, 6-7 Jeff Perkins and 6-7 Dominique Campbell, are the starting post players, although Perkins averages just 5.0 and 0.5 rebounds per game, and Campbell is averaging 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Darnell Williams, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, leads the Vulcans in scoring with 13.0 points per game, followed by 5-10 junior Jamario Clayton at 12.0 points per game.

However, the UH coaches think 6-1 senior guard Derek Owens is the key player for the Vulcans. He is averaging 11.5 points per game.

“He’s a senior and he does everything for them,” Akana said. “He’s going to shoot 3s, he’s going to have the ball in transition, the ball is in his hands majority of the time. Smart player.”

The Vulcans are under the direction of new head coach GE Coleman, and only three key players returned from last season’s 6-19 team. The Hawai’i coaches have not even been able to obtain game video of the Vulcans’ action this season.

“No film – it’s all just going off of scout and what we got,” Akana said.

The Warriors have five players averaging double-figure points: Christian Standhardinger (17.0), Garrett Nevels (15.5), Isaac Fotu (14.3), Brandon Spearman (11.0) and Keith Shamburger (10.3).

Interestingly, UH-Hilo did not play any NCAA Division I teams last season, and the last time the Vulcans faced a NCAA-1 team was in December of 2011 … against Hawaii in a game played at Kailua-Kona.

The Warriors have a 5-0 all-time record against the Vulcans.

Game 5 Tipoff Notes
Who:
Hawai’i (2-2, 0-0 Big West) vs. UH Hilo (1-1, 0-0 PacWest)
When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) – Honolulu, HI
Television: Live on OCSports – Channels 16 (SD) and 1016 (HD).
Streaming Video: BigWest.tv
Radio: Live on ESPN 1420 AM. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona and KTOH on Kaua’i.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: $26 (lower); $18 (upper-adult); $16 (upper-sr. citizen); $5 (upper-youth, ages 4-HS); UH Manoa students free with validated ID. Parking $6.
Promotions: First Insurance is the game sponsor and will distribute mini-basketball sets to the first 500 fans. Also, First Insurance will award over $200 in gas cards throughout the game.

6 Comments

  1. Go Rainbow Warriors, Respect Hilo, they have shooters, and quick guards , wings. they get hot, look out. Defend home court, fear no one, respect everyone. Have to guard , protect home court, play to sweep all of your remaining home games!

    Go Bows!!
    😀

  2. I really like that Christian and Garrett Really EXPECT to WIN Every Game…
    Home and Away…

    and that so many others, like Fotu and Quincy, really Hate to Lose,
    and Will Choose to Step Up to (try to) get a Game back under Control;

    I see the ‘Difference’ between those Two Groups or Levels as the Difference between Wanting to Win (They All Do) and Always Working to Win… Christian and Garrett are Closer to ‘Always On’, working every day, all the time, to be prepared, and ready to Win from Game Minute/Moment One and All the Way through, not just when needed or when they have to…

    So In General, Similarly, The Freshmen and Sophomores are learning from the Upper Classmen what it takes to Be Ready, Always On, To Win… Davis, in is Growth to being a Senior Leader, might be a good Example of a player making that jump to The Upper Group…

    Go ‘Bows!
    Use the Next Series of Games to Build Up your preparedness for the Tough Games ahead (DHC)…

  3. Your statement good observation. Remember back to Fab Five days, Nash, absolutely hated to lose. Even on the road. They were so competitive, it was like a war for Bob. Now, them man, is the gentlemen really nice guy.
    UH team I have watched at Stan Sheriff Center, I like. Evident on the road against Missour Tigers, they expected to win, and to the last few second, still battled. That is the sign, with improvement in shooting, and especially team defense, this team can win a bunch of games.
    For new and oldtimer, try to check out, if you can, one game with a friend or family, these Rainbow warriors, they are going to be good.Fun team to watch.

  4. Eagle-with the new rules, the quick, or really any offensive player with ball, make his move from even 15 feet out, one, two step, and go up to basket, gets the block call. Christian, is taking full advantage, so is Quincy Smith, he goes into lane, just initiates contact, and gets FT’s. UH is adjusting to rules. Gib, outlining the defense, rotation, help side, since no shot blocker 7 footer, behind them, have to work on their doubles, etc. Once they do that, get the D up to speed. UH , shooting well from Field, they could , average about 88-90 pts a game, I really beilieve so. Either here or on the mainland. Love that style of ball. However, as was stated by hoops and others, Defense(and rebounding is part of that formula), played well, in addition to shooting well, and caring for ball , this team, could win BWC championships, the upper 3 of BWC.

    Uhfanzonly1.
    Glad you and yours can go to game. Love the coverage by Kanoa, and OC sports, plus the BWC deal online with ESPN3, which coverage is superior to having a student with one view camera, of games.
    Thanks to OCsports and ESPN3/BWC for here and away video coverage, for fans that are home bound.! Mahalo!

  5. actually UHF…shot blockers, why doesn’t Gib have , Davis and Stefan, stay near rim circle, and be the last line of defense, so UH defender doesn’t pick up blocking foul. Davis, is pretty agile and quick off feet for a 7footer. He , if his role is defined as a shot blocker, rebounder, shot alter guy, Davis will do it. And Stefan, if he is mature and strong, BBIQ up to it for D1 ball, has good shot blocking instincts. At least for this year, Davis and Stefan could provide size, and someone to at least attempt to deny at the rim!

    Go Bows!
    😀

  6. AGREE — 10-12 Fouls/Challenges per game;
    IF You’re Willing to Give Up One Position– a Ten Point Per Game Spot;

    The likely Good News is that Davis AND Stefan ALSO Can Probably Generate 7- 10 ppg with Increased Court Time (Currently generating 5.5 ppg @ 15-18 mpg combined)…

    AND i Think ALL These Options would work 2, 3, 4 out of Five Games…
    (Two of Four or Five Toughest Games may already be in the books…)

    THIS Team probably has More Options than we have Time or Smarts to Discuss….
    GIB Looked Really Happy And Relaxed on Leahey and Leahey
    Good for The Program… Soon Time for More Challenges (DHC)

    [Fun / Worth a Try or Ten ?]

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