Warriors not overlooking shorter Vulcans
Numerous signs can point to an easy victory for the University of Hawai’i basketball team on Tuesday, but the Warriors are aware that nothing comes easy.
The Warriors say they are preparing to be tested when they host NCAA Division II Hawai’i-Hilo on Tuesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai’i is 5-1, with all five wins in the Sheriff Center; UH-Hilo is 0-5, including four losses to NCAA-II competition.
“They’re quick, they kind of play like they don’t have anything to lose, so they play hard,” junior forward Mike Thomas said. “They play to the best of their abilities all the time.”
The Warriors had a previous experience against NCAA-II competition last month, when they rallied from a 22-point deficit to defeat Chaminade, 101-96, in overtime.
“We’re playing HPU (on Saturday) and Hilo, you can say whatever you want, they’re D-II teams,” sophomore guard Niko Filipovich said. “But you could see it from the first (exhibition) game when we played Chaminade. They gave us a good run for our money.”
Here are some tidbits of information on Tuesday’s game:
• Hawai’i has a 7-0 all-time record against UH-Hilo, with the average margin of victory coming by 26.3 points per game.
• Hawai’i beat the Vulcans last season, 89-71. Aaron Valdes scored 31 points in the win, and Roderick Bobbitt recorded a triple-double of 12 points, 10 assists and 10 steals. He is one of only two players in UH basketball history to record a triple-double (Reggie Carter was the first in 1975).
• The Vulcans are averaging 80.0 points per game, but are allowing 89.0 points per game.
• The Vulcans made a previous trip to the Sheriff Center this season, losing to Montana State, 90-85, on November 14.
• UH-Hilo has six players averaging double-figure points: Parker Farris (19.6), Patrick Ball (12.4), Vandyon Lockett (11.4), Jordan Russell (11.2), Chris Holmes (10.0), and Nate Walker (10.0).
• Farris, a 6-foot-4 junior guard/forward, has scored 20 or more points in three of the five games this season. He hit eight 3-pointers and scored 29 in the loss to Montana State.
• The Vulcans do not have any players taller than 6-6. Of the seven players who get most of the minutes for the Vulcans, 6-6 Nate Walker is considered the “center.” He leads the team with 5.0 rebounds per game.
• UH-Hilo is getting out-rebounded by an average of nearly 12 rebounds per game (43.0 to 31.2).
• Hawai’i has four players averaging double-figure points: Valdes (16.7), Stefan Jankovic (13.2), Bobbitt (10.7) and Isaac Fleming (10.5). The 6-11 Jankovic leads the team in rebounding with 8.0 per game.
• The Warriors are averaging 80.8 points per game, while allowing 69.5.
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
Better not think blowout because only making bachi for the team.
UH- Hilo lost it’s big man 6-6, 255 Johnson-Wilson to injury, per Josh on Curran’s show. So they only have the 6-6, 210 Walker, as the article above points out.
Looks like the UH- Manoa reserves will get a lot of playing time.
LOL, if we are worried about bachi against a team like Hilo it will be a long season. I am sure the players and coaches are doing and saying the right things but I also hope they are confident enough on their own to know that this game should not be close no matter what. I will call it a blowout: UH 101, Hilo 71
Any game is a good game if it allows our players to have court time with another team. They still have plenty of aspects of their game to work on. HPU is team to look out for, not Hilo.
RE: The FAB FIVE Built Their Chemistry and Teamwork against Some ‘Creampuffs’ (Not saying Hilo or HPU fit such a Category…)…As AP Points Out… They NEED to Work On Their Own and Composite Games… i Think it IS WISE of Staff to BUILD UP the Schedule…
BWC AND Post-Season IF THEY EARN It will Have Plenty of Challenges…
With Many Returning Players… RAMP UP, Even Fast Start Next Season…
—————
NO OC-16 Coverage of UH V. Hilo despite Obvious ‘Local’ Interest ?
Benjay’s BIGGEST Mistake was Re-Newing The Half-Baked, 1/4-“Committed” OC “Team”…
NO Wahine NCAA Tourney Coverage?
KFVE Woulda Wiped Out The (PREVIOUS) Years’ Red Ink / Shortfall (Before C.O.A.)…
AND Resumed FULL-TIME UH Sports Coverage…
Think About It…
eagle has landed, live streaming on Big West TV today, per McInnis and UH. .
Jankovich not suited up. If they say why on radio, can someone post post please. Thanks.
I’m not supposed to compare or bring up previous years, so I guess I will just note that thus far I am very, very unimpressed with the play I have seen overall from Ganot’s recruits thus far, one in particular.
Janks had back spasms.
Thanks, islandman.
Everyone played including Jakob. Hilo is a scrappy team.
^^^Jakob played…at least 3 mins, I believe. He missed two 3 pointers.
Omg, it’s so late and I’m so tired, I read your comment, islandman, as “everyone except jakob”…my fault
Good game, bows. Look forward to saturday