UPDATED: Undermanned Warriors push UC Davis to the limit
The University of Hawai’i was big on heart but short on bodies, and it resulted in a 74-67 loss at 74-67 loss at UC Davis on Saturday.
A near-capacity crowd of 3,657 at The Pavilion in Davis, Calif., watched the Aggies out-score the Warriors 19-6 in the game’s final seven minutes to foil the Hawai’i upset attempt.
Hawai’i had just eight players available for the game, as three key contributors – Aaron Valdes, Mike Thomas and Isaac Fleming – were out due to injury or illness. Despite the disadvantage, the Warriors made several runs at the Aggies, and had a 10-point lead early in the second half.
“I’m as proud of these guys tonight after a loss as I have been after some wins,” head coach Benjy Taylor said.
Hawai’i dropped to 18-11 overall, as it lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Warriors are 6-7 and tied for sixth place in the Big West Conference. Hawai’i can still finish anywhere from third to seventh place with three games remaining.
UCD improved to 21-4 overall, including 12-0 at home. The Aggies are alone in first place at 11-1, and avenged a loss at Hawai’i last month.
Sophomore forward Stefan Jankovic scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds to lead the Hawai’i effort. He shot 6 for 11 from the field and 9 for 11 on free throws.
Senior guard Garrett Nevels, who played a reserve role for the first time this season, added 19 points, including 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range.
“He’s been a little frustrated; he’s been struggling a little bit,” Taylor said of not starting Nevels. “He came in with a lot of fire, a lot of tenacity, and hit some big shots for us.”
All eight available Hawai’i players contributed, including reserve guards Dyrbe Enos (three points) and Niko Filipovich (two assists, two rebounds).
“We played with a lot fight tonight,” Taylor said. “We gotta start playing like that every game.”
The odds were against the Warriors before the game even started. Thomas and Fleming were not even in uniform due to ankle injuries; Valdes – the team leader in scoring (13.9) and rebounding (5.3) – was in uniform, but did not play because he was suffering from flu-like symptoms.
“I like what I saw in our team tonight without Aaron, Isaac and Mike,” Taylor said. “We just gotta get those guys healthy.”
It was a game of runs, as the Warriors trailed by as many as 13 in the first half, but rallied to take a three-point lead at intermission. They took a 10-point lead early in the second half, but the lack of bodies took its toll down the stretch.
The Aggies looked to make it a blowout from the start, as they raced to a 28-15 lead midway through the first half. But Hawai’i responded with a 13-2 run later in the half to cut the UCD lead to 32-31 with 2:42 remaining. The Warriors then managed to take a 39-36 lead at intermission after Nevels drained a long 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining in the half.
An 8-0 run by Hawai’i early in the second half increased its lead to 51-41 with 17:00 remaining in the second half, but it would be short-lived. The Aggies responded immediately with a 10-0 surge to tie the score at 51.
Hawai’i’s last advantage came at 61-55 after Enos drained a 3-pointer from the corner, but the Aggies again responded. This time it was an 11-0 surge that put UCD ahead for good, 66-61, with 4:10 remaining.
Hawai’i shot 60.9 percent (14 for 23) from the field in the first half, but just 32.1 percent (9 for 28) in the second half, and finished at 45.1 percent for the game.
“Being down that many bodies, we got back in it (in the first half) with pressure and there’s no way we could do that in the second half,” Taylor said.
Taylor also noted that center Stefan Jovanovic picked up his third and fourth fouls early in the second half, and was limited to seven minutes in the second half. Jovanovic finished with seven points and four rebounds.
“If Stef doesn’t get four fouls, I think we have a chance tonight,” Taylor said. “Because now I can give Janks a (rest). He was out of gas.”
The Warriors were also able to hold most of the Aggies in check, except for one – senior guard Tyler Les. He shot 9 for 13 from 3-point range and scored a game-high 28 to lead UCD. The nine 3-pointers were the most by an opposing player against Hawai’i (teammate Corey Hawkins hit the previous record of eight two years ago).
Hawkins, who was averaging a Big West best 21.5 points per game prior to the contest, finished with just six points on 1-of-8 shooting.
The Aggies entered the game as the nation’s top team for 3-point percentage, and thanks to Les, they lived up to it by hitting 50 percent (10 of 20) from long range.
The Warriors are scheduled to return to Honolulu on Sunday to prepare for their final two home games of the season – Feb. 26 against Long Beach State and March 4 against UC Santa Barbara.
“I’m excited to go back home because I like what I saw tonight,” Taylor said.
(WarriorInsider.com file photos courtesy Brandon Flores)
Saturday’s Big West Results
UC Santa Barbara 69, Cal State Fullerton 54
UC Irvine 67, CSUN 58
UC Riverside 48, Cal Poly 44
UC Davis 74, Hawai’i 67
Just noticed Janks hit 9 of 11 FTs. Shades of Standhardinger. This aspect of the game will help at Tournament time. Got to get all the pieces together when tournament time comes around. No chance to win the regular season championship. Focus strong on preparing for the tournaments.
akuhead2.. just this past weekend, hit that injury and sickness bug.. Janks and NWC really stepping up and Nevels was a warrior.. Key that Janks hitting around 70% or better, he going and battling in the paint and drawing fouls.. he really is NOT SOFT.. he is a Warrior.. really impressed. Just wait until Valdes, Thomas and Fleming at full strength.. BWC tourney time.. UH can beat any of the other top teams or lower teams.. They going to Peak at just the right time.
Now UH just has to try to sweep the final 3 games, 2 at home this week and the following week at Fullerton.. they can do it..
We are very proud of this team.. they could have abandoned ship, transferred, quit, turned pro, however they did it FOR US, the fans, Hawaii, the University and their families, try to win as many games as possible and go for NCAA invite.. I think UH will be ready in 2 1/2 weeks in Anaheim.. should be a great Tourney, and This time Broken Hearted in Anaheim.. you can be Elated, Happy Hearted in
Anaheim, the Place where dreams really do come true.. Hoops Heaven !!
Go Bows !!
🙂
re: RunBows from previous post
Yes I go back to the last season at Blaisdell arena. Those were wonderful times.
I will be there for senior night. Best part for me is not the ceremonial activities. It is when the seniors make their senior walk around the court and get leis and gifts from the fans. Takes long time to make it thru all the fans. And Nevels being the only senior. Man, he gonna get all the love. Mile high in leis. Hope his family will be able to join him.
This season, I was hoping to see Tyler Les numbers from NWC. I believe he still has some upside. Good to see Nevels getting the stroke back. Watch out! Nevels is back. Coaches just need to put the pieces together.
warriorhaw: Nevels comes from good family, he was interviewed I think by espn news piece? About his dreams as an 8th grader, what he aspired to be… if you search Google Garrett Nevels , real interesting a 14 year old Garrett…Well, important, he says he is on track to grad this May , that is the most important thing.. As captain, he wanted so bad for this to be the season.. despite what went down, he, Quincy, the captains, helped keep team together, along with Benjy and staff, Never saw a team bond the way they did.. They have won so many more games then what was expected…guaranteed winning season no matter what happens in tournament.. Benjy on post game radio and interviews.. loved what he saw from team, the toughness, coming back from large deficit in first half and taking lead at the half, then the 10 pt lead, guys just gassed, because the 3 guys out.. I LOVE this team warriorhaw, seen UH MBB even through the dark times, however, this group will forever stick in my mind as ONE OF THE TOUGHEST.. strength and wanting to finish big through adversity… as Benjy said, cannot wait to come back to Hawaii, have guys in gym, and get everyone healthy. to make that stretch run for the glory.. I believe they can do it.. They are Big Time Winners to This Old UH MBB fan.. Huge Hearts !!
Go Bows !! And warriorhaw, you give a cheer to Nevels and the team for me as well, I will cheer at the TV screen, I am very sure, team will lay it out on the floor against perhaps the two most talented teams in the BWC.. I believe they can sweep the SSC final home games.
Go Bows.. And Mahalo to G Money Garrett Nevels, for being Extremely Tough.. a Warrior.. with a wounded hand, and he drops 19,, shooting better from 3 line too.. going to be a weapon.. Team, just has to put it together for 40 minutes over 3 games in a row in Anaheim.. They can do it..
Shucks, can’t recall a team facing so much adversity and still perform at a very high competitive level that is exciting fans. Demonstration of high character and extreme effort…. -Kudos
Re: previous day’s posts on Wahine ; 2,859 is tickets issued, i think. 1,989 was the turnstile count, a season high per newspaper. Must be a high for a way’s back.
Wahine, 19-7, 11-2 BWC; UH website says that’s the most wins since 2001-2002 and the 23 wins then.
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Coach Beeman:
“It was not the prettiest game. What won it was our offensive rebounding and second-chance points. And we stopped turning over the ball. When our offense stalled, it was our defense that kept us in the game.” (staradvertiser 2-22-15)
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Irvine hit 17 3- pointers out of 38 attempts, in their previous game, last night they could hit only 2 of 10.
last paragraph s/b “UC Davis”
3,657 crowd for the Men’s game at UC Davis. If that’s the turnstile count, it’s a pretty large crowd for other than UH home games ?
UC Davis has an 8,000 seat arena, and they had reported attendance of over 5,000 at their games vs. Cal Poly and Long Beach St. Tickets issued or turnstile count ?
Last night in Davis it was rocking. Their student section is much larger and more vocal than the UH section recently. I think Davis and LBSU have the second best venues in the BWC after UH of course. I’m not sure why Thomas didn’t play the game when he was available at UCI and it didn’t seem like he got injured.
islandman… believe now.. best attendance turnstile for BOTH MBB and WBB in Big West .. I think so…
Love Beeman and the gals..that Megan Huff, first time I saw her play, skillset of a good WBB athlete, Kalei Adolpho ad VB MB playing as a Center in WBB, has the muscle for VB, however not the footwork and shooting, and BBIQ instincts that Megan has.. Adolpho will come back for grad studies, next season and concentrate on BB.. good addition for some muscle up front..Megan Huff, newcomer or freshman of the year .. she is the difference maker, on UH’s 11 game winning streak..and the girls getting more confidence hitting close to rim shots..
As for the Men, tak you are right.. Have any of us, the 2 year fan or 52 year fan of MBB ever seen a team deal with such Pilikia and adversity on and off the court.. and still have a chance to win basically every game they lost, the 11? Never in my lifetime.. and if Mike , Aaron and Isaac Fleming get healthy for BWC tournament, and they are refreshed, pedal to the metal, rock and roll, and close out.. hot shooting great defending and decision making, they can still go to ncaa’s , their only post season dance, unless they finish with 20 plus win season, make it to the Championship game of the BWC tourney, and some private donor, kicks in some monies, or raises money NOW to get UH into CBI or CIT.. this team deserves it.
Another reason , sometimes so frantic to win, and lose shooters, or miss rebound, or untimely turnover, rush shots? Fatigue, and The desire to win , win, win.. All 11 available guys, now it shows, no matter whom on court, now Niko and Dyrbe…they want to win.. AND SILENCE the Noise, the naysayers. who said they would be fortunate to win 9 or 10 games all season, well mission accomplished.. they have 18, and with 3 more BWC games to go, they could end up with 21 overall wins and 9-7 as high as possibly 3rd or low as 6th, however,.. they ARE IN THE BWC tournament, because they are ahead of Fullerton and CSUN.. I LOVE THIS TEAM..LOVE< LOVE..LOVE them
Great Coach in Benjy, I would not have taken the job, he did, to help out UH and the athletes. at least have a season, his mid major Hugh Durham coach of the year award well deserved. He wins the BWC tournament and goes to NCAA, he should be considered for BWC coach of the year. or the Mid Major Coach of the Year NCAA award.. great job Benjy, Que, Brad and Brandon, and staff, and shout out to Jayson Goo, if anyone can get AV, MT and IF back healthy in few weeks, Jay can..
go Bows.. Never, ever been so proud.. STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY… UH has potential 7 or more games to play for season, 3 more regular season , 3 in BWC tourney, they win that, then possibility, they can play up to 6 games more in ncaa all the way to the championship game.. heck, if UH made the ncaa's and WON first game, first round.. that would be History, don't count them out.
REASON:
Rod has still to put together that triple double type game again, he will, Flemings return, bring energy, and ability to score, in a few seconds coast to coast, Quincy is a battler and winner, Nevels, his 3 ball stroke, and mindset, is back, Janks is the 3 plus star rated HS star we heard about.. a matchup problem for BWC bigs.. he is and Will get better, awesome, NWC.. was getting tired. his 3 ball bombs, are becoming money, at least 2 to 4 or more per game, NWC just has to hit FT's too, Jovanovich, stay out of foul trouble, a very smart, big, good hands, shoot either left right handed hook shot, money, excellent near 80% FT shooter, Mike Thomas, at a shade under 6'8" and about 215 he is playing like a guy that is 6'11" 240.. he is fighting.. real warrior another of the 11,AND NIKO AND DYRBE, WHEN BENJY CALLED THEIR NUMBERS.. THEY ARE SETTLED AND READY. ENOS A HUGE 3 BOMB FROM CORNER, AND NIKO GAVE GUARDS REST, A COUPLE OF ASSISTS AND REBOUNDS, DID NOT LOOK SCARED AND PLAYED PRETTY GOOD DEFENSE,,
BENJY TAYLOR AND STAFF AND UH MBB , DON'T GIVE UP, AND WE KNOW YOU WON'T THE NCAA DANCE IS READY FOR YOU GUYS, YOUR TALENT NOW COMING TOGETHER, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANY TEAM, YOU GUYS HAVE CHANCE TO BEAT, ANYONE..
GO BOWS
!!
🙂
A valiant effort by an undermanned squad. It’s been frustrating though having a nice 10 point lead and seeing it evaporate in a couple of minutes, which occurred in both of the last two games. Can’t help thinking that with more discipline, patience and better coaching we could have won a few more games. Laura Beeman’s squad plays a similar guard oriented game and they somehow manage to pull out a win on close games, whether it’s at home or on the mainland. Coach Beeman seems to make the right adjustments when needed. The men may want to study film of women’s team to pick up some pointers.
Correction , Laura and WBB team have to go out and sweep 2 game road swing, the last one, next week, then finish senior nite at home SSC for Shawna Lei-Kuehu, 6th or 7th year senior..
Hope that 5000 will come to game.. back in the day, when Little and Frank Arnold coached teams, and only 1780 would come , including myself, friends and family.. Vince Goo’s teams with Nani Cockett or BJ Itoman, etc, that won 23 or 25 games, and they ended up in WNIT..no at large big.. pretty disgusting, ncaa, said logistics.. flying Hawaii to mainland.. however what a slap in the face.,., during that time.. believe Vince and team averaged 4000-5000 per game.. because UH MBB was down, until, Little had a little better teams, went down again when Frank Arnold took over, and had no interest in hanging around, though he recruited one of the best freshman to ever don a UH MBB uniform, the great late Chirs Gaines Mr. Iowa Basketball..
They Riley year 2, when his team with Reggie Cross leading the way, in his senior year. they went to NIT , as NCAA turnaround team of the year.
Yet this 2014-15 team BEATS them All, and if they do well in BWC tournament, and maybe just maybe pull a Poly and god to Big Dance.. It should be CNN,CBS sports, Sports Illustrated, Basketball News, ESPN the magazines, PTI, espn., shout out from Andy Katz, shout out from Pitt, Nebraska, Colorado coaches and even Davis coach.. that Through Adversity.. this UH team won 21 -22 games, when most programs with the negative nancies flinging dirt at them and getting personal against their character and their families.. They took The High Road..
Great Job Benjy, You are definitely assured a good job after this season.. have your agent work out something right now, should you hit that magic 20 wins before the tourney, so YOu and Senque can sign 2 bigs, and 2 three ball shooters.. to bolster your roster, that can be a top 25 team.. too bad, you guys were not in WCC or MWC.. conferences with higher RPI…then if you finish at 25 wins and don’t win tourney, maybe at Large bid to NCAA tourney.,
Hey fans, as evidenced by my posts, I LOVE, LOVE this Team, cannot wait for them to Smoke both LBSU and UCSB.. they going give the best effort to win, ever.. get that 19th and 20th win at home, senior nite, White Out Nite, I hope 9000+ in the house to honor team and Garrett NEVELS.. REAL WARRIORS ALL 14 GUYS..
IMUA.. LET’S GO BOWS.. STILL MUCH MORE, POSSIBLY 6 GAMES BEFORE SELECTION FOR NCAA INVITES SUNDAY AFTER TOURNAMENT CHAMP OF BWC CROWNED.
WE THOUSANDS OF UH MBB WARRIOR FANANTICAL FANS. WILL BE ESTACTIC IF YOU ALL ARE THE BWC TOURNEY CHAMPS..THROW A PARADE DOWN KALAKAUA AVE !!
IMUA.. GO BOWS.. GO WARRIORS !
🙂
pono; — Today’s SA news article by Damin Esper said Thomas aggravated his injury on Thursday.
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Article: Benjy said only three of Tyler Les’ 3’s were defensive breakdowns. That’s nine points though. Janks, Nevels and Q said they have to play better defense on the 3’s.
“We just need to close out on a guy we know is a great shooter,” said Stefan Jankovic, who scored 21 points — a career high for the second straight game.
Added Garrett Nevels, “We didn’t make him uncomfortable.” Or, as Quincy Smith put it, “We just played bad D. We’ve got to stop the 3.”
Bernie: Agree with you, however Benjy correct, he only had these guys, and he put in very simple offenses and defenses, the on ball half court pressure and the full and 3/4 pressure for steals or slow Davis down, sometimes, the gambles, let’s the 3 ball shooters, or the perimeter guys just drive right in front of the rim for easy layin dunk or dish to big for easy basket, That Tyler Les, like that Sousa from Irvine, they always pick the CAREER nite to hit big time three balls, that basically help them overtake UH.. just think UH ran out of gas.,
However, Bernie.,. I emphasize the effort.. WBB and MBB totally different animals, men jumping 30 plus inches off the ground to get off shots, block shots, rebounds, and the quickness, so cat quick plus the deep ball under duress they hit the shots, the speed and strength of the game.. that is why a good Freshman team from let’ say Iolani or Punahou, a Good One, or a YMCA pick team, a deep one with 10 guys.. who practice, would beat up and smoke UH WBB in a scrimmage in Klum gym, they have before, and I think Beeman, once in awhile will have those 5 guys , students, just rough up the girls and smoke them so they not afraid of anything..Kudos to women, however, WBB and MBB totally different animals.. like Apples and Oranges.. the mindset, BBIQ, taking care of ball, movement of ball, securing rebounds, passing the ball, FT shooting, sure that goes for any level WBB or MBB.
Wish Best for Laura and WBB, however, I know they will do well, unless they somehow, lose 3 in a row , their final 3 BWC regular season games. and finish at 11-5, and someone, the 2nd place team ends up at 12-4, I hope not, as long as WBB top 2, they get they automatic byes..
Love the UH MBB team.. UH WBB expected to do great, and Laura Beeman, great job.kudos and props Laura.
Benjy and team.. they trying, Bernie.. to have 3 out of your top 6 guys go down with injuries and illness. within one week across 2 games last week DEVASTATING.. this group true Warriors. UH sports story of the year, they finish with 20 wins or more, AND make it at least to semi finals of BWC tourney, and perhaps win that dang tournament.. they can.
Hey Bernie, if you can, be at SSC arena on Thursday and Sat cheering on the the bows, me bed and medical chair riddern, so I cheer at screen or at the radio and follow live stats.. UH MBB will not lie down.. they will come out and Smoke LBSU and UCSB.. give it all they got. and get wins 19 and 20 before Fullerton last game on the road, then trip to Anaheim to grab trophy for NCAA tournaments./..
MAHALO PLENTY DAYTON VALERIE SCHMIDT AMERIPRISE, PACIFIC RISK SOLUTIONS, AND ALL THE FAITHFUL NON ATTACKING, VERBAL OR PROFANLEY ABUSIVE POSTERS.. GREAT PEOPLE, AND FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF TEAM LOOK INTO OUR POSTS.
ON BEHALF OF TRUE FANS OF HAWAII BB.. SHOUT OUT.. AND GREAT JOB TO THE FANTASTIC 14.. PONO… IMUA…..WE GOT YOUR BACKS
STAN SHERIFF, FOR THOSE THAT CAN GO ON THURSDAY HOPEFULLY 5000 PLUS AND SAT NITE HOPEFULY 9000 PLUS IN ATTENDANCE.. UH TEAM AND BENJY AND STAFF WILL WORK HARD TO GET 2 GAME WIN STREAK STARTED AGAIN..
GO BOWS!!
🙂
Bernie, I think you make some good points about the Wahine pulling out close wins. I think the difference between the two squads at this point is game experience. The Wahine have 3 key seniors and a junior. A few years ago they lost the close games. The men have 1 senior and 2 juniors, plus this is Rod’s first year at D-1. With a team laden with freshmen and sophomores it will take some time to pull out the tight games. I also think we need someone to step up at crunch time to be a go-to scorer. It could be Janks, but I think Nevels should carry the load for us in the last 5 minutes of the game. I also think we miss a lot not having Fleming on the court. He is our only player that can get the rim from 18 feet and finish. I am looking forward to having him at full strength for the tournament.
Hey , reality check you all.. many , including ourselves , though MBB would implode, defections, transfers.. and ones not buying into Defensive team, and transition team , the pre BWC conference, and the redhot start, 12-4, which could have been easily 15-1, and going into BWC play with young team experience wise, new coach, etc.. for UH to be sitting at 18 wins overall and chance to finish regular season 9-7 and 21 wins overall before Anaheim
BWC tournament, Fantastic..
Cannot be critical.. at all.. Beeman doing well, however, the MBB team win or lose is drawing the 5000 core fans, and making money.. last nite, Beeman first place team drew a little over 1900 which is like the Men’s Big West teams in those small cracker jack gyms.. good for the Wahine, too bad, that Klum gym which holds about 2000, were upgraded made really nice. Then that would be the Wahine venue.. they would pack that gym, every home game.. and a lot of noise..
Either way.. WBB has experience, in system with same coach for 3 years.. a little over 3 months, young inexperienced and injured MBB team with New Coach, short time to be on same page, and they still could have been 12-1 in conference if healthy and close out games..
Hey , Bernie you are right, We All Are, Even Benjy and Staff Know It.. When Aaron, Mike and Isaac all healthy , and team does not have flu.. They going to be team to beat… Now we know 10 or 11 guys can contribute.. and you are right.,, have to have Bobbitt, making plays to secure wins.. and Nevels, NWC Valdes, Janks hitting big shots.. You know who else has established himself as one of the better traditional hard working banging, block some shots, body up, take up space, pass the ball to cutters, and also shoot well? Stef Jovanovich.. credit to Stef, AV, MT for stepping up big time.
UH MBB get healthy.. anyone one of top 8 , can win the tournament and go to NCAA’s.
guaranteed.. I believe UH, if they are finally healthy and steady in half court and full court..O and D will win that tournament.. Why not?
Go Bows !!
🙂
MB SOLID Observations….
Even IN A HIGHLY Disciplined System like Riley used to Run — ALL the Time, Three Hours EVERY DAY…
Players could take Two Seasons, Even a Third (EX: Troy Bowe, one of His Best) to Learn to Exercise Penetration-Pass-Shot Judgement…
THIS TEAM Doesn’t Invest THAT Much Yet —
(They Got TWO More Seasons Mostly Together)
TO MAKE It Through Post-Season, It’s “Almost’ a Universal Law
that you Have to Be Effective IN Half-Court, Even IF You have the Better Talent….
—————-
GET HEALTHY, ‘BOWS!
Good Battling!
Toughen Up
Close Out Regular Season with Three Wins
‘Should Not “WAIT” ‘Til Last Opportunity — BWC Tourney
to Learn & Prove You CAN
Then Get Three More
Keep Improving, into Post-Season
Keep Steppin’ Up
FINISH STRONG
Coach Benjy
Gotta Find Effective Half-Court Options (Usable For NOW)
NEED to BUILD-IN Next Season
BUT Also Need Stop-Gaps For This Season
And take smarter shots
SHUT Down ANY Shooter or Three
Absolutely DENY The Ball to A Tyler Les AND Cory Hawkins
The Same Skillsets and Athleticism that CAN Force “Record” Turnovers
CAN Also Frustrate and Neutralize Two or Three Key Opponents’ “Stars”
IN Tourney, I’m Sure you CAN Limit Hawkins to 20, even less
AND Les to Three verus Nine Threes
AND Improve to Mid-Pack VERSUS BWC-Worst
Welcome Back, G!
With Your Eligibility-Clock Blaring, Alarming, Urgency, Senior!
DO OR DIE, Eye of the TIGER, Jordan-Zone-Type, Natrix-NEO Focus,
Freeze the Opposition, SLOW-Down the Game And BE Effective
Like Last Night — YOU KNOW The Difference
You, Janks And Negus Ready for PRIME TIME IS An Awesome,
Focused BIG THREE
AND Explosively Capable Young Teammates:
Aaron, Michael, Healthy(ier) Isaac
Tougher Bobbitt, Quincy, Jovanovic
Emerging ‘Unknowns” (to Opponents) in Niko and Dyrbe
Peaking, TIMING for The Next Four to Six Weeks’ Runs…
There IS Young Magic Available In This Team
GO ‘BOWS!
[This Team CAN Supersede The UCDavis 2014 ‘Surprise’
There’s MORE HERE to Make Magic with…]
What MAY BE Happening Here (in the Next Month)
Is The Possible Emergence of “THE BWC” Dominant Team of The Next TWO Years…
GO SUPER, ‘BOWS!
The Wahine are able to pull out close games because they have an unquestioned, on-court leader in Kuehu. She’s the glue, the one all the players turn to in times of crisis. And, whether it’s a rebound, an assist, a block, a steal, a pull-up jumper, free throws … she almost always comes through. Her contributions and presence is a stabilizing factor for the team.
Did anyone see the post-game interview? Apparently, it was a game-time decision as to whether she would even play last night because of a sore neck (to go along with her other nagging injuries). Well, 13 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block later … the Wahine win.
And, or course, their success is also largely due to having arguably the best coach on campus.
OK, back to the men’s team … gritty effort last night. Give Taylor credit for managing the minutes of the available players. As for Les vs. Webster-Chan, let’s just say Les’ sole responsibility (at least last night) was to shoot 3-pointers … and boy, did he ever! Negus, on the other hand, has a lot more on his plate, like rebounding and playing defense). He can’t just float on the perimeter and catch and shoot all night long. And do you think Coach Les would ever ask his son to play center as Negus had to do during one stretch when his other partners on the floor were Dyrbe, Niko, Quincy and Garrett?
Clyde — Nice Support of NEGUS Who IS An All-Around Player…
Shut-Down “Can” Be a Primary Man(-to-Man) Responsibility
BUT Especially The Way This Team Rotates (Pretty Good)
I’d Expect the Whole Team to “Flag” The Emerging/Opening Shooters
(Benjy Quoted as “Only Three” of Les’s NINE Threes were Defensive Break-Downs
(I’ll Accept his Analysis — BTW, Great to Get Responses that take “That Much” Jamie Smith Analysis Effort)
AND WE “Recognize” It’s a Choice Between Trapping Double-Teaming Steals
And Tracking Responsible Man Defense…
Maybe Switching Between the Two Styles
CAN Prevent / Minimize Threes when we have a Controlling Lead
I Think The Men Have At Least Three Shauna-Level IMPACT Players
Proven or Emerging in G, Yanks and Negus, and when he’s healthy, probably a fourth in Isaac
Although Shauna has More UH-D1-Laura-Time than all Four have Benjy-Time
(WILL Miss Her like Hall-of-Famer Judy Mosley, or BJ&Nani)
[Season Ticket Holder Warriors and Na Wahine BB…]
Na Wahine have Size, Talent And Numbers (Depth) along with Their Energizer
Men May Be One or Two Short Front and Back-courts (with injuries)…
For anyone who has the patience to figure out the below. There is another item for if more than two teams are tied, etc. (from Big West tournament regulations)
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Seeding for both the men’s and women’s tournaments is determined by the final regular season
conference standings. Eight men’s and eight women’s teams advance to the tournament
bracket.
Tie-Breakers
8.19.1 In the event two teams tie for a position in the final standings, the higher seed shall be
determined using the following tie-breaker formula:
1. The winner of the two-game series between the tied teams shall be declared the
higher seeded team in the championship tournament.
2. If still tied, the team with the best win-loss record in conference games against
common opponents beginning at the top of the standings and working down the
standings until the tie is broken shall be declared the higher seeded team. Ties
among teams at the top of the standings should be broken first to establish a
ranked order.
3. If still tied, the higher seeded team shall be determined by a coin toss conducted
by the commissioner. (Adopted 5/19/89, Revised 5/9/96, 7/17/00.)
Crucial week. Last two games Everybody get down to the Stanley to support our guys. We need the sixth man to show up in mass. Jamie get the students to fill the section. We need a loud racous scene This team can do better than 6 th place for crying out loud. Come on Warriors.
Long Beach State is on a four game losing streak, after winning six in a row.
UCSB has won four out of its last five games, but has to play Davis and Irvine before they play UH next week.
UH plays UCSB six days after the Long Beach game this Thursday. No UH game scheduled for this Saturday, so UH has some time between the two games.
Too bad we did not have a by week. Never seen UH so banged up. But the good part is it’s not season ending. Just sprains that given time will heal at hopefully 100%. It was good that Niko and Enos got to play. Matter of fact, they need to play more. Wondering why Enos, after making that bucket, did not go back in the game. You never can tell when a shooter gets hot, especially when the shooting got cold the last 10 minutes of the game.
The good: Bigs playing great. Only problem are fouls. Good fouls ok. Bad fouls try to eliminate.
Rested Valdes. Look for him to come out with a vengence.
NWC starting to rise to the occasion. Better second half of season than first half.
Nevels is on fire and hope the flame don’t go out.
Friendly confines of the Stan. No place like home.
The bad: Flemming. How bad is it? And how long before he is 100%?
Have the Big West teams figured out our defensive pressure? They are turning the ball over
less. Need to reestablish defense.
servante : yes that injury and illness bug hit at wrong time, no question, Valdes, Thomas and Fleming healthy, I am sure would have at least split gone 1-1 or even 2-0.. Never seen it happen to 3 guys at once on a UH MBB team.
Sort of a rest.. This Thursday, Feb 26 against LBSU, as was mentioned have lost 4 in a row, (It is the Only game this Week that UH plays, they are off, like a bye for Saturday, then they play UCSB for senior white out nite, and then on to Fullerton final road game, then Anaheim )though always dangerous.. That is payback game… You are right, Valdes hope his flu is over, however, if at least he is close to 95 %, for LBSU game, I know UH can beat them at SSC.. they should have beat them at the Pyramid…
This Team, maybe, now is the Third Part of Season, stretch run for Post Season, really only the NCAA, unless a donor comes along to pay for play.. tournament, which I think UH deserves..
Might be Rod Bobbitt pressing too much, uncharacteristic turnonvers, and Janks just gassed, playing at high level with No Thomas or foul hampered Jovanovich available to relieve him, Janks is getting better and better, along with NWC.. and Nevels.. just have to get the 3 guys healthy, then UH MBB can surprise,. bet other teams think They are done for the year, no threat.. However look for UH MBB team to come back strong.. never lost 2 games in a row all year.. Now, go 6-0 and NCAA invite.. possible..
Go Bows.. As NWC and Janks said about 1 year ago as RS interviews by WI .. why not UH MBB, going to shock and go for NCAA’s .. after all that went down, incredible adversities, never heard of 14 guys and interim HC having to endure, and still within shot of 20 win season and NCAA tournament.
Go Bows !
🙂
wonder, if Benjy and Que not allowed to sign guys, or no backing from admin to make Benjy HC, if the recruiting is done for this year..
UH needs 2 bigs and 2 shooters at least..
Cannot sign until May
Plus I’m guessing they are waiting on the sanctions from the NCAA. Why sign guys when we may get a reduction in scholies.
Between Mid-Major Coach-of-the-Year
And Top-Q Recruiter, Senque
There “Will Be” Good Recruits (They Said So)
Will they Deliver a Great One or Two?
The Obvious X-Factor is
Can Anyone Expect a 17-20 year old (And maybe His Family)
TO SIGN
IF Benjy And His Prospectve Bosses CAN’T…
WORST CASE Scenario: Can Senque Recruit “To the Program”
And An Unnamed Head Coach?
Recruiters talk often about Not Recruiting “To the Person”
Because Players ‘Have to Understand’ that Coach just may not be there the players’ Whole Career
BUT i don’t think Most Individuals Separate the Two Mentally or Emotionally
The Main Exceptions might be The ones (like Isaac) who Bond with The Assistant (Not Unusual)
OR Decided Hawai’i IS Where they WILL Play
And/OR Have Family here….
Bley-Vroman Needs to Move On the ‘New’ HC,
For Next Year or Two Years
Not Last Years’
DON’T WASTE This Recruiting Season
And thereby ‘Blow’ (Something Better) for Next Season
Saturday Games ‘woulda’ been Better, MUCH Bigger Crowds…
BUT WIN Anyway (esp. @ Home)
Go ‘Bows!
Get Stronger (ALL) and Healthier
To FINISH STRONG!
[Three? Four, Five, Six, “More?” Wins…]
Who would you rather play, Irvine or UCSB in the first game of the tournament ? Both have given UH trouble this year. More so Irvine, but UCSB didn’t have Williams last game against UH. Several posters and a radio commentator have said they don’t like UCSB as the first game.
Irvine has the deadly 3-pt shooters which has given UH a lot of trouble, and Will Davis. UCSB also has some good shooters.
Below was the preseason media poll; Davis is the big surprise, and Riverside.
2014-15 Big West Preseason Media Poll
1. UC Irvine (20) – 221 points
2. UC Santa Barbara (2) – 195
3. Long Beach State (3) -180
4. Cal State Northridge (1) – 165
5. Hawai’i – 119
6. Cal Poly – 109
7. UC Davis – 79
8. Cal State Fullerton – 64
9. UC Riverside – 38
( ) First-place votes
eagle: you know Benjy and mantra? All he is concerned about for now.. Winning ball games.. I wonder if that is the key, not only in BWC , but overall record? If Benjy hits 20 overall season wins by the Fullerton road final game, that is a huge Milestone for any level of NCAA MBB teams.
At final overall record before Tournament, Benjy and the Bows are at say.. 21-11 or 20-12, I think he has a great Resume, and through Pilikia of Every Kine, Never witness a Program, interim staff and athletes take such hits, emotionally, physically, and other.. And they are still at 18 wins.. Unreal, however credit huge to Benjy , Senque, Brad and Brandon, Jay Goo, Grad Assistants, and secretary.
For Pres, , BOR Power man, or Chancellor, or whomever making the decision, I don’t think it would be AD, however, remember Bley-Vroman when questioned about Benjy, when the fallout with Gib challenging the contract, and going down list of allegations, Benjy cleared in Chancellor’s eyes, I believe, reporter asked about Benjy as HC? Chancellor, said ” I have No Problems with Benjy Taylor, the HC, he is doing a good job”.. Even Pres, Governor, and Chancellor are at some home games, they can see the excitement , whether 4800 or 7800…We love WBB , however, MBB can draw or have tickets sold for 9000+ for final UCSB home game next week Wednesday, If Benjy and the Bows, beat LBSU, and are sitting at 7-7 BWC, and 19-11 overall, then the UCSB game is Huge, senior white out nite, UH wins that game, AT HOME in front o Chancellor, UH will be 20-11 overall, and 8-7 BWC with One more game to play at Fullerton.. Maybe, that is why, for team confidence and upward trend, keep team focused , get healthy, and not slide into 3 game losing streak, he Said, the LBSU game is a MUST WIN.. and I agree, actually, the last 3 BWC games, if Benjy and the Bows get those wins, and finish 9-7 and 21-11 overall , Two things accomplished, UH is at possible 3-5 seed, depending on how other teams above or tied with them do, and Secondly, that 20 or 21 win record. Ammunition or Resume enhancing for Benjy to be top of the list for New HC..
Think AD search, that they can get in a GOOD new AD, who supports an interim coach who has done a masterful job keeping the MBB team together.. Benjy has the resume, with chance to dance with a team that , I know will play with Passion and smarts, like they did against Pitt, Colorado, Nebraska, and almost beating Wichita St… and beating Davis at SSC..
Chancellor Bley-Vroman, Makes The Most sense, a winning record, possibly 20 plus wins, a chance to dance, and all scholarship guys, and preferred walkons eligible, to return next season.
No BRAINER.. sign Benjy and Que, and for good measure, let Brad and Brandon stay too, and Jamie Smith, a really good staff, Brad, good with X and O’s too, top assistant at NCAA participant Tulsa back in the day.. MOST IMPORTANT EAGLE.. that window, although, even if Chancellor signs, or new , very soon AD signs Benjy, say, after BWC tournament, .. there is that window of March through I think May, where even later gets can sign, and of course, if the under the radar JC gets are out there, and Que and Benjy have kept contact with several bigs and shooters.. those last 4 can sign, scholarship agreements, all the way up till Aug fall session..
Key.. Get AD New in place, he can evaluate, the Winning and Resurgent MBB program under Benjy, and the Prudent thing for recruiting and keeping guys together, sign Benjy to multi year deal.
Well Benjy has it right, and preaches it to his Team, All they are Focused on Now, Get the 3 guys healthy, get these 3 last conference wins, and go for the Gold, the NCAA bid in Anaheim
Champions: the 2014-15 MBB team, the BEST THROUGH PILIKIA I have ever witnessed in over 47 years of watching UH MBB !!
Sign Benjy fast, if wait for new AD, get him or her on board within the next 3 weeks or less, so they can hire New HC, and First man on the List, No Brainer, Benjy Taylor..
Benjy and the Bows.. just settle down, do well in school, rehab, get well, get good defensive half court sets, and solid half court offensive sets, now the 3 ball shooters are hitting, with healthy Thomas, Valdes, Jovanovich, and really high level skillset, now not Soft, but going strong Janks.. and Bobbitt, calming down, and running show,..not too much gamble, just steady team.. UH can win the BWC tournament.. and if they do, and Benjy not hired as New Head Coach.. something is not right..
islandman..think it does’t matter…whomever uh mbb plays , thry have to play 3 games of 40 minutes of great basketball..find way to shutdown,,,or limit opponents 3 ball shooters
UH.has lead last few minutes other team hot from 3 Ball line and they.lose
Don’t think healthy team afraid of any team even ucsb with williathis lbsu ssc home game going to br a war
Watch thr emotions
I believe NLI day for basketball is April 16 with an end date of somewhere in mid May.
I believe NLI day for basketball is April 16 with an end date of somewhere in mid May.
Has anyone read the SA article today about a bill to take away the autonomy of UH Manoa which would take control out of the hands of the Board of Regents?
At first glance, I thought good, but you would have to consider it would lead to even larger bureaucracy than they have now. I am sure the mismanagement of the now $1.5 Billion budget is a major factor. Sure is amazing to me that funding for the Athletic Department makes so much noise and little comes from the other expenses.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20150223__Bill_seeks_change_to_UH_autonomy.html?id=293603571
Indian Hills Warriors sure have a couple nice recruits. Jeremy Worthem is already looking at us, but Gary Williams, Jr. looks like a good replacement for Nevels. Both are known to Bobbitt and Williams actually played HS ball in Oakland.
We should have at least 4-5 scholies available next year, but “recruiting time” is near past…make a decision ADMIN or by your own inactivity, you already have!!!
GO BOWZ…get healthy.
I’ve been mentioning a bill, House Bill 539 that will create another Board that will gain control of the UH athletics department, and administration of its fund
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=539&year=2015
It’s a bad bill, because it requires that this new Board be filled by certain political appointees. Instead of putting the best people on it, seeing as how it will have so much clout in the athletic department. The “winning” formula the lawmakers came up with, only included one athletics-interested person. Over 80% of this new Board will be people from the old Board of Regents and certain political appointees.
BACKBEAT and Horsse Champ, Chuck Cheese , Thanks for your comments….way above my pay grade.
You 3 really know the ins and outs of UH Politics, UH Admin, NCAA protocol, and getting the word out to help UH athletics, and as far as this Forum is Concerned, .. as jjay always says, and I agree.. support UH MBB,.. WBB will take care of itself,
and they are doing well.
However, yes, I am kind of wary of Recruiting as is Eagle.. Benjy and Que, really Akamai, just business as usual, I think at this point they are targeting JC’s, if can get that incoming soph, with 3 years to play, or incoming Jrs with 2 years, that make impact great.. will only make next year’s team very strong.. and for the returnees, I think that is what they have to work on. Strength..
Hey year is not pau, still possibly a lot of games to play !!
Hey, Admin, or BOR, or hoopst.. or J.. or whomever.. get the HC on board so that MBB can secure a couple of immediate impact bigs and shooters !!
Go Bows ..And Mahalo BACKBEAT.. Chuck Cheese and Horsse for input.. really helps inform WI MBB fan nation !!
🙂
islandman….
..you being the stat/metric/real time updates..of MBB and UH athletics..
Wonder ? What ever happened to Call the Coach with MBB HC? Must have been Espn 1420 decision to can the show?
Can remember back to Rocha days, at least a few during season.?
Wonder if Bobby Curran said anything.. Know that Sports Animals, , BC morning show, and sometimes hoopstalk.. they would have Benjy call in.
Question for the day.. Where IS CALL THE COACH WITH COACH TAYLOR?
Thanks in advance if anyone knows.. I must have missed it..?