Warriors look to move up standings this week
The University of Hawai’i basketball team had a down-and-up week … and still finds itself just one game out of first place in the Big West Conference this week.
The Warriors went 1-1 at home last week, playing its worst defensive game of the season in a 92-83 loss to Long Beach State, then rebounding with a gritty 77-63 win over Cal State Northridge.
The Warriors will remain at home this week for two games in the Stan Sheriff Center – UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, then Cal Poly on Saturday.
“It’s rare you get to go two straight weeks of class and get all caught up on their work,” head coach Gib Arnold said. “It helps us a little bit with our legs and resting, and obviously we get to play at home and there’s nothing better than playing at home.”
Thursday’s game offers a chance for the Warriors to move up in the standings, as UC Santa Barbara is currently in a three-way tie for first at 5-2; Hawai’i is a game behind at 4-3.
The Gauchos also have the conference’s top statistical player in Alan Williams. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound junior leads the Big West in both scoring (23.3) and rebounding (11.1). On Monday, he was named the Big West Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.
“Outstanding team, and Al Williams is an absolute beast,” Arnold said. “Putting up huge numbers this year – you have to guard him with two people.”
The Warriors encountered several issues last week – allowing 60 percent field goal shooting to Long Beach State, the benching of junior point guard Keith Shamburger for the first half of the eventual win over Northridge, and a season-low six points from senior forward Christian Standhardinger in the Northridge victory.
“It’s part of the season – kind of in that middle section where guys are sometimes physically fatigued and maybe a little mentally fatigued,” Arnold said. “I think everybody’s going through that right now in the conference. It’s our job as coaches to make sure that we’re there mentally and physically. Practices maybe aren’t quite as long as they used to be, but mentally we still keep everybody sharp and we have to maintain discipline.”
Standhardinger still leads the team in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (7.6), while sophomore forward Isaac Fotu is next at 15.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Fotu is shooting an impressive 67.9 percent from the field against Big West opponents, and an even more impressive 96.2 percent (25 for 26) from the free-throw line.
It makes for an intriguing matchup in the post between Williams and Hawai’i’s forward tandem.
This time of season nice to have a deep bench to relieve tired legs. Big West crown and tournament champion will go to that very fact. Will see in the coming games how much our bench develops and play in crucial times. I’d say the emergence of bench play takes us to the Dance. But if they sit we go to NIT.
UH MBB team: Relentless solid Team Defense. Williams and shooting guard, quite good. Hold them down. And Quincy , relax, bend your knees, deep breath, and shoot your FT’s accurately, gonna need all the guards to hit 75% or better from line, thorughout the season.
Now, go out and get UCSB and Cal Poly, try to get to top 1 or 2 spots!!
Go Rainbow WARRIORS!
😀
With the talent this team has they should be undefeated in conference play. The Warriors are terrible away from home, way too many turnovers and poor execution. It has always been this way for the Warriors, going on conference slumps, etc. Even when the Warriors were in the WAC they had conference slumps. I don’t know how you can beat teams like Oregon State and Saint Mary’s (CA) and loose to these UC and Cal State teams. Something I have noticed though is that this team is starting to play better basketball. The Warriors probably can win out, they have the talent to. Stanhardinger, Fotu, Nevels, and Spearman need to be more consistent. If all four of these guys score the PPG average they have every game then this team would be deadly. Consistency is the Warriors key in my opinion for the rest of the season. I hope this team makes it to the March Madness this season!!!
1. With The “Official” Announcement (fans noticed His Absence from the bench Saturday), too bad Caleb Dressler was never able to play or show His Best @ U.H…. Hope His re-hab goes well and he can make it up to D-1 Impact Player; Good Luck; Best Wishes, Caleb…
2. Santa Barbara probably the much better team; but their strength (4, 5) matches UH; should make for an interesting Thursday Nt. battle; IF Hawaiʻi can continue their success against UCSB (swept last year), it should help boost the teamʻs spirits as they go up against their ʻpoorʻ (historical) matchup with Cal Poly — FIVE Straight Hawaiʻi Losses including two @ SSC…some really ugly…
Tough game on Thursday night, everybody has to contribute. Williams is having a heck of a season for UCSB. Interesting to see what the game plan is going be to slow him down.
Always thought well of Caleb..if not for that worse case scenario back injury,he would have had great impact on UH’s front court depth. Wish you well Caleb and thanks to Dresslers for fine young man!
Aloha and mahalo.
Caleb, take care!!
Hey Davis, Christian and Brandon Spearman, have players only meeting, make sure you guys are on same page. Team, and One Ohana first, then you guys will meet your goals as friends, basketball players, citizens and UH athletes.
Have a great rest of season! This team, can do something special this year, just have to keep emotions in check, from Coach to 16 guys on roster, sky is the limit!
Go Rainbow Warriors!
😀
Sorry to hear about Dressler. Always happens. That injury and court time. Caleb would have been good if healthy this year. From first year RS, he was banging the other bigs including Vander, no back down, no fear in Caleb.
I agree with hoopsa, and eagle, best wishes and get healthy Caleb, you will do great if you can get back to near 100% and find the right fit. Thanks for being part of the UH team. Nothing but good things from Caleb, great student too.
Now: Gib , hawaiifan09 and others, Really has to Shop, Recruit the Big that can rebound, alter and block shots, score some, and play rim protecting, rim attacking game.
What need 6’9″ to 6’11” Senegal shot blocking big. Or a bruiser big. Someone who will Defend the paint, ..I think Gib has 2 more scholies for next year, although, might give to deserving…then have the One more for a needed big.
Personally, if Stefan JOVANOVICH, gets as big, muscular and strong as Dressler, goes from 235 to 255 or so, Jovanovich, could take place for loss of Caleb. Stefan, Similar, though thinner, a banger, and good baller.
Hope Gib finds a good replacement for a great guy in Caleb.
OK this thursday ,game of the season ,playing the top dog, everyone get off their butts and come down and support our team. Nothing like live BB ,being there for the action. Warrior time everybody!!
I believe gib will bring in a shot blocking type we need next season but lets hope its not a project
It seems there are thoughts that the team needs to recruit a big rim protector. Maybe so. Like to think another prototype Christian S. model would be a better fit. In lieu of a rim protector, looking for a “team” that protects the rim (guarding a larger “rim” concept). Looks to me, the future pay off is to play exciting b-ball, pushing and running the ball – makes sense and pays cents. The team has depth and talent at the 1 thru 3 positions and having two 4s play the “big” positions keeps them agile, mobile and downright hostile. Opposing teams are rocking on their heels playing defense. Really like this “style” of play, b-ball’s version of the west coast offense. Anyways, long story short, with the current trend and availability of recruits, this maybe the way to go. Currently, Christian and Fotu are match up nightmares. Thus, it creates more time and space for the other players. As a team we have the depth to maintain this rotation, however, adding a rim a protector is a tough fit; like putting a square peg in a round hole. Just sharing…. Go Rainbow WARRIORS -thanks
rim protector by my meaning doesn’t have to be a 7 footer….we just need a player that jumps well and has good ball instincts…another stanhardinger would be nice but negus will make u forget him and will be a true wing where as stan is in between a wing and powerfoward and plays a slow wing but undersized PF….once we get a rim protector you’ll wonder why every team needs one
but to get one that also has some offensive moves is rare to come by