Warriors maintaining focus on opponents and school
The schedule being what it is, the University of Hawai’i basketball team is in what can fairly be described as a slow period right now.
The Warriors defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 75-47, last Saturday, and will host NCAA Division II intrastate schools Hawai’i-Hilo on December 8, and Hawai’i Pacific on December 12.
Even with the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic looming on December 22, 23 and 25, the Warriors said they are focused on the immediate upcoming tasks.
“We just have to approach it like we’re playing the Diamond Head Classic every game,” senior forward Sai Tummala said. “Every game’s a big game. It’s tough sometimes, but at the same time, bringing that energy every day and just trying to focus on what coach (Eran Ganot) is saying, and maybe that will get us through whatever we gotta do to win these games.”
Junior forward Mike Thomas added: “I think focus is a key. These are tune-up games, so we have to stay locked in and make sure we’re fully dominating these teams for 40 minutes and then playing hard, getting after them. We’re going to make mistakes, but we just have to keep playing.”
Hawai’i is 5-1; UH-Hilo is 0-5.
The perceived “break” in the schedule actually comes at a good time from an academic standpoint. The current semester ends on December 10, so the students are completing projects, term papers and exams in the coming weeks.
“It’s definitely pulling at us a lot more, where you have to devote a lot more attention to school,” Thomas said. “But we’ll get it done.”
HAWAI’I VS. HAWAI’I-HILO
When: Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
Tickets: Lower Level – $26; Upper Level – $18 for adults, $16 for senior citizens (65 and older), $5 for students (ages 4-18). Parking is $6.
TV: None
Streaming video: None
Radio: Live on ESPN1420 AM
Audio webcast: www.espn1420am.com
Live stats: www.hawaiiathletics.com
I see a future or current coach in Niko.
Agree on Niko
Could be an Eran Ganot or even Paul Johnson (But He NEVER Played…)
NITS:
Just a (Repeating) NIT (Typo)
UPPER Level – $26, LOWER Level – $18…(REVERSED);
Right Up there with Billy V Announcing: Mike Thomas, Stefan Jankovic and Aaron Valdes as ‘Sophomores’
Through Several Games… ALSO Corrected (Juniors)
ADDED UH-HILO Game to kenpom’s site — Season “Prediction” Jumps’ from 19 to 20(!) WINS…
(Assist?) [NO Panic “Fans” — It Is 20 PLUS Rainbow Classic Second and Third (PLUS BWC Tourney, Post-Season Tourney) …
SLOW Period…Aye…
Saint Mary’s up 34-31 on UC Irvine at half-time. Dane Pineau with 6 points, big Mama with 4 points.
Speaking of Saint Mary’s, I just saw that Tyler Harville left the Gaels and now plays for Berry College, an absolutely terrible DII basketball team.
Pineal hits 2 consecutive 3-pointers. St. Mary’s up 58-43 with 7 minutes left in game.
Fullerton are 6-1 and beat Nevada 75-66. Could they be this season’s UC Davis…from last to BWC seasons champs?
They had better be practicing their ft’s! Their Achilles heels that opponents know of.
Pocho
True. We don’t want to hear teams saying “lets hack a bow.”
^^^ I don’t think so. If opponents think of hacking just to make the UH guys shoot FTs it might actually help UH because the other team will be in foul trouble before they know it.
The only time opponents should foul on purpose is when UH have a small lead late in the game and other team start fouling to stop the clock. That’s when everybody will be squeezing their you know what when ever UH get to the line.
I can’t believe there’s no video of the game. That’s so disappointing!
Watched the Beach push the Bruins. They are much improved over last year and have an exceptional talent in Maryland transfer Nick Faust.
you put in the reserves to foul the Warrior Bows! They call that strategy
I doubt any of the Warriors’ first six opponents were fouling intentionally to send them to the FT line. Too small a sample in early non-conference play. However, if the team continues to struggle through the month of December, I can see BW teams employing such a strategy, particularly late in the game.
Someone asked Ganot about utilizing a psychologist (was it Riley that had the couple accompany the team on road trips?), and I think Ganot said he knew the psychologist (might still be on staff), but didn’t say whether he would seek his help. If they practice as much FT shooting as they say they do, seems to me part of the problem might be in their heads, not their hands.