UDATED: Warriors take control of Big West with thrilling win at UC Irvine
IRVINE, Calif. – The University of Hawai’i basketball team has turned this into a magical season on the court, and now the Warriors can now start counting magic numbers toward a Big West Conference championship.
The latest – perhaps greatest – victory of this record-chasing season came in the form of a thrilling and improbable 75-71 win at UC Irvine in an “episode II” showdown for first place game that actually outdid the original.
The Warriors trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half, but ended the game on a 9-0 run to earn their school-record sixth consecutive road win. Aaron Valdes drained a 3-pointer with 40.1 seconds remaining to give the Warriors a 72-71 lead, and then UCI missed three 3-point attempts after that, giving Hawai’i a sweep of the home-and-home series.
“It’s unbelievable,” head coach Eran Ganot said. “It’s starting to be believable, though, because it’s happened several times. These guys, they keep bringing the program, the fans, our coaches, great moments. Credit them, it always starts with the guys. Number one, it’s the players.”
Hawai’i improved to 22-3 overall and 11-1 in the Big West Conference while increasing their school-record road-win streak to six. The Warriors now have a two-game lead over UCI and Long Beach State with four games remaining.
UCI dropped to 20-8 and 9-3, and is now tied with Long Beach State for second place.
Thus, the magic number for the Warriors is now two. In short, Hawai’i can clinch at least a tie for the Big West regular season championship with two more wins (losses by Long Beach State and UCI could also make it easier for the Warriors). Three Hawai’i wins (or losses by UCI/Long Beach State) would clinch the regular-season title outright.
A near-capacity “White Out” crowd of 4,312 at the Bren Events Center was raucous throughout the game, but they headed for the exits in silence after the Warriors drained three of four free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.
“That just sums up our season,” Valdes said. “Last year, the thing on us was we couldn’t finish games. This year, we can finish games. A lot of our games this year have been close and we’re able to pull it out. It just shows our maturity and how much we’ve grown as a team.”
Junior center Stefan Jankovic capped an incredible week of his own by scoring a game-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. He shot 7 for 12 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 12 on free throws.
“Honestly, I haven’t felt this great in a while,” said Jankovic, who scored 34 points just two days earlier at CSUN. “Like I said, conference is tough. We just have to grind it out, if nothing else. They had their big run in their first half , and they had a halftime lead. We just kept chipping and chipping and eventually went our way.”
Valdes, who sat out the previous game at CSUN due to flu-like symptoms, added 13 points and six rebounds.
Even before his go-ahead 3-pointer, he showed that he was back in form with three highlight-reel dunks in the first half. His alley-oop dunk off an inbound play assist from Roderick Bobbitt was the No. 3 highlight on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Day.
“I really wanted to play this game,” Valdes said. “It was a big game for us, especially after the game at our place. The coaches gave me the start, the go-ahead, and (Sheriff Drammeh) was OK with it after starting the last game, so I’m just glad with my teammates and coaches for giving me the help.”
Sai Tummala scored 11 points off the bench, including 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range, and Mike Thomas contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
“That’s one of the things I’m really happy with our team,” Tummala said. “When someone doesn’t play well, there’s another person right there to step up. I never feel like we’re out of a game because everyone’s always playing hard.”
Senior point guard Bobbitt once again turned in all-around effort with seven points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals.
“We fight through adversity and play til the buzzer goes,” Bobbitt said. “I’m just proud of our guys and how we played tonight. We never let up.”
The Warriors trailed 46-35 early in the second half , and then 68-61 with 4:30 remaining, and 71-66 with 2:11 remaining.
“A lot of times in the game, (UCI) could have separated, but we locked in, focused, had great composure,” Ganot said. “The experiences we’ve had leading up to this point have helped us in terms of those moments.”
A layup by Thomas with 1:16 remaining cut the UCI lead to 71-68, and then UH got the ball back when UCI center Mamadou N’diaye was called for traveling. On the ensuing possession, Bobbitt passed the ball on the right wing to Isaac Fleming, who then found Valdes open in the right corner.
“I had a little bit of space, and as much time as there was on the clock, I had time to form my shot and get up there, said Valdes, who missed three previous 3-point attempts prior to his go-ahead shot. ”I was happy it went in.”
There were still 40 seconds remaining after Valdes’ shot, and UCI missed a 3-pointer by Alex Young, got a questionable call on an offensive rebound, then another 3-point miss by Luke Nelson. Bobbitt grabbed the rebound off Nelson’s miss and proceeded to drain two free throws to give the Warriors a 74-71 lead with 10 seconds remaining.
Jaron Martin missed a 3-pointer on UCI’s next possession, and Thomas grabbed the rebound. Thomas then made one of two free throws to secure the win.
“We knew that we had a lot of time” Bobbitt said of the Warriors’ rally. “Just like the game before at Northridge, we were down one with one minute left. We were down (against UCI) with three minutes left, we knew it was going to be a long game. We just needed to get stops and get good shots.”
Hawai’i shot 47.2 percent from the field, and UCI shot 44.2 percent, including just 16.7 percent (3 for 18) from 3-point range. It is worth noting that the Anteaters shot 50 percent in the first half, then 37.5 percent in the second half (including 1 for 9 from 3-ponit range).
The Warriors also out-rebounded the Anteaters, 34-27, with Thomas, Valdes, Jankovic and Bobbitt grabbing six each, and Stefan Jovanovic getting five.
The first half went back and forth, with the lead changing four times. The momentum changed when Jankovic sat out the final 8:21 of the first half after picking up his second foul.
The score was tied at 22, then UCI went on an 8-0 run to take a 30-22 lead with 4:22 remaining in the first half. Hawai’i got as close as 34-30, but the Anteaters eventually took a 38-30 lead at intermission after Mamadou N’diaye scored on a dunk just before the halftime buzzer.
UCI increased its lead to 46-35 early in the second half, but the Warriors refused to give in.
The Warriors took a momentary 61-60 lead on a 3-pointer from Fleming with 7:09 remaining, but the Anteaters came back with a 3 of their own on the ensuing possession to regain the lead.
UCI increased its lead to 68-61, but the Warriors cut it to 68-66 on five consecutive points by Jankovic. Hawai’i then had a possession to tie or take the lead but Jankovic missed on a reverse layup, and the Anteaters scored the next three points to take a 71-66 lead with 2:11 remaining.
Luke Nelson led UCI with 18 points, and the 7-foot-6 center N’diaye added 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
“This, man,” Jankovic said, pointing to his chest. “We’re tough, we have heart. Three years, three different coaches, all that we’ve been through and we just keep pushing.”
The Warriors are scheduled to return to Honolulu on Sunday, and will play their final two home games during the week They will host UC Riverside on Thursday, and then CSUN on Saturday.
(Game photos courtesy Warren Haraki)
Saturday’s other Big West results
CSUN 75, at Cal Poly 71
at UC Santa Barbara 62, UC Davis 55
at Long Beach State 70, Cal State Fullerton 57
So prou proud of these guys
Hearts of warriors!!! The Bows prove time and time again never to give up and they could have…
But this team refuses to lose.
Great win you guys!
we believe in you!!
Go Bows!!
Great article, Dayton.
Can only repeat what everyone’s been saying. Mostly want to emphasize the young men. These guys saw each other, some of them three years ago, and knew they had something special. And they weren’t going to let anything get in the way of that. Thank you. I just truly appreciate that these kids stayed together through all of the adversity to bring the state of hawaii this product. I mean, think about it. All the ones who chose to leave for whatever reasons. But this group stayed the course, and that’s why they’re a TEAM, that’s why they are ONE heart and mind out there, that’s why they have been able to grow and learn and mature to this level. To be this good at a mid major school like Hawaii takes commitment. Mahalo to these…boys to men! (that’s for Mr. Bobbitt! ). I love them! From keiki to kane o ka ‘aina! Me ke aloha.
Also, Coach Ganot, perhaps more than any game, this game showed the team’s complete buy-in, I think, to your offense. They really worked the ball in and out beautifully, made that extra pass, and it paid off down the stretch. Too many turn overs again, but credit the number one Irvine defense. I especially credit Coach Ganot with our great rebounding simply based on comments that Janks has made several times about what coach has said to him since their first meeting about his rebounding and how that has motivated him to work harder and improve. I will never forget who brought most of these players to the program, but your hand in getting them to this point this season cannot be denied. I’m all in. Thank you.
The players “choked” most of this game.
Under-performed efficiency creates negative emotions.
Even the Cali “Warriors” can lost.
Got the “W” in less than 2 minute is nothing short of a miracle!
Great team reached their ultimate goal!
Hawaii love this TEAM (coaching staff plus all players).
n2o4joy, choking is an ultimate outcome…not something you do throughout the game only to end up winning. SMH. The Team, in fact, did the opposite of choking. They stepped up, they hit the big shots when they needed to, like Valdes’ three, and Bobbitt’s foul shots. Irvine, on the other hand, missing three three-point shots in a row and giving up a lead they’d held most of the game choked. We out-rebounded and out shot our opponent, I’d hardly call that under performing. It was a great battle between two good teams and the better team won.
RAINBOW FEVER IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE ISLANDS ONCE AGAIN.
Great maturity and belief in one another to come back last night. Our rise in the polls will be eminent. Here we are three weeks to the day before we wait to see where we might go on Selection Sunday…still some work to do and beating a team for three straight times is very rare.
Senior Night on Saturday could be the night the Bowz tie the all time winning record set by the Fab Five. More than that, I wonder IF any of the Juniors who plan to graduate this summer might show their hand on what they plan to do next season.
I saw St. Mary’s sweep Gonzaga last night and frosh Evan Fitzner and junior Dane Pinneau made impacts. I see plenty of Australians on Verbal Commits considering UH for next season, including one 4* player. Winning brings good things.
Lastly, in case we do not win the tournament, UH Admin better have their bids in to Host the first two rounds of the NIT…sure sellouts and advantage to move into the Elite 8. But for now, let’s make that NCAA goal a reality.
GO BOWZ
Dayton, thanks for the video. In it, we see UH attacked over Ndiaye like Rod, Sheriff and Janks shot floaters over him and Janks went by him with the reverse layup.
Isaac to Valdes for the three.
Sai is shooting 44.9 3PT FG % in all games and 52.8 in conference. Rod is shooting 87.5 FT% in conference.
Is the magic number two or is it three like eagle said in previous day’s post ? because LBSU has a win over UH or something like that. Maybe if one of the future UH wins is against LBSU ?
How do you like distributing the rebounding – Janks,Aaron,Mike and Roderick with with 6 rebounds EACH. Stef with 5 in only 11 minutes, Isaac 2 , Sheriff 1 and Team 2.
Ever since the LB game they started to really improve in rebounding. Take pride in rebounding and defense-they will help win the Ship.
IM – Great Speed and Total Team Effort on the Boards
‘Bows were sweeping ’em up so fast, so quick
It looked like a new (or Astonishingly Rapidly Improving) Team Skill;
That Everyone, especially the Quick, Athletically-Gifted, Energized and Motivated, Players Have Bought Into;
To ‘Dominate’ the Boards– that’s what it felt like even when they were trailing —
Against That Much Size, is Impressive, Plus Seven versus Irvine; Plus 5.2 for Season;
Big West.Org/Basketball Tourney Regulations/Sect 8.19: “Seedings”;
First Tie-Breaker is Head-to-Head Competition,
so ‘I think’ NEED to Beat Long Beach @ LBSU If Win ‘Only Two’ to TIE (Unless LB loses again, like @UCI)
OR Just Win Three or More so we never get a Conference Regular Season Third Loss–
Second Tie-Breaker is Series Win-Loss Records Against Conference Teams Top-Down;
Third, Coin Flip;
More Interesting With a BIG Three
IF WE CAN “ALL” Do Well in Post-Season (NCAA And NIT);
AND WIN a Bunch of Next-Season’s Early-Season Top 50/Top 100 Games
A ‘Second Bid’ — similar to MVC, MWC or WCC– could be possible As Soon As Next Year…
Moreso…Just Keep Winning
Keep Improving
Go ‘Bows!
EG: Rebounding And Defense Travel Well
So Do Minimizing Turnovers, Earning and Making Free-Throws
—————-
X-Factor Bonuses —
Quickness Across the Whole Team
(We’re NOT So Slow Anymore)
BIG(s) with Size. Skills And Athleticism
40+, 50+!! Percent (SEASON!) Three-Point Shooters
Who Also Provide Physicality, Rebounds, Defense [Sai And Janks]
EIGHT Players Are Shooting 27%+ (Conference or Entire Season)
(Equivalent to 41% Two-Pt fgs)
FIVE shooting Better in Conference (Improving Shot Selection and Percentage?)
Credit Valdes for hitting that big shot because he had just missed a 3 earlier. Fleming’s extra pass can’t be underscored because, as Valdes said, it gave him time to “form” his shot. You can’t really see it in Dayton’s video, but after releasing the ball Valdes stayed with his follow through (Be Like Mike?) well after the ball dropped through the net. Courageous, clutch shot.
And Bobbitt’s two free throws were critical, too, making it a three-point game.
Interesting to note that Ganot, who has employed offense/defense subbing with Tummala/Thomas and Janks/Jovanovich, also used Fleming/Drammeh in the same manner down the stretch. Fleming’s re-insertion was timely as he was there to find Valdes in the corner for the shot.
With Long Beach sitting at 9-3, including a win over Hawaii, I’m not sure if the magic number is really 2 and, if there’s a tie, who would get the NIT bid as the regular-season champion. Still, I trust Dayton’s knowledge of the situation.
Safest way, control what you can control and win it … one game at a time.
Warrior08, they were always good at rebounding, they just didnt have the effort or focus against long beach. Long beach was getting a ton of uncontested rebounds. I think that the “improvement” was simply a matter of refocusing.
Hawaii still have to win in Anaheim. RPI
not currently in 40-50 . one poll have them at 74 and
Irvine after loss at 76. Big West does not get
respect at all. I guess warriors would have to be 25-0 to
garner 97 or more votes for top 25. All comes down to 3
wins at Honda Center. Go warriors!
Watching The RE-Run (DVR)
So Much Less STRESS
TribeVX4… Airon …Flying Three Monster Dunks
In Hawai’i’i First SIX Baskets!
ESPN Top 10 Highlight Reel…
And Better…Great Passing
Thanks, Dayton, Pacific Risk & Ameriprise Val
BEAT a Pretty Good Irvine Team BOTH Places
Bows!
Go Chalk Up Three (or Four) More WINS in BWC Regular Season
AND Three More in Anaheim!
Just KEEP Winning
Even Into and Through The Dance!
What a Difference a Year Makes
Go ‘Bows!
Maybe if warriors finish as regular season champs at
15-1. Make it to championship game of Big West
Tournament and lose. Warriors would be overall 28-4
NCAA at large invite? Seems not fair pac12 and ACC and
SEC will get so many teams in. Just keep winning
Warriors. Good move to Big West . UH can finally win
regular and tournament championships!!
Lot of national basketball pollsters and analysts
say Win Big West Tournament only shot at ncaa dance.
No at large invite for Big West. Makes team more
hungry!
Should be fun. Any of 8 teams can win it! Warriors
have to stay focused! Go warriors!
Do not look ahead. That’s a recipe for disaster. Things will take care of itself. The only thing we should we thinking about now is Thursday against Riverside. Fortunately, Ganot knows all too well that focusing on what they can control. I like the fact that different guys are coming through. Here are some of my thoughts.
All Big West Performers 1st team: Roderick Bobbitt and Stefan Jankovic.
2nd team: Aaron Valdes.
Team Newcomer: Sai Tummala
Team Inspirational Player: Quincy Smith
Team 6th man: Issac Fleming
Team most improved: Sheriff Drammeh
Mr. Dependable: Mike Thomas and Stefan Jovanovic
Hawaii Five O: Enos, Buscher, Stepteau, Cornelisson, and Purchase
Ganot coach of year hands down!
Give him extension and hefty raise.
However true. Warriors have 4 more regular season
games against teams with good guards. Warriors
Focus one win at a time!
JUST WIN BOWS and that’s just what happen!!!!!! This group is breaking records left and right Big ups to the coaching staff also big ups to all the Cali/HAWAII fans for showing up last night! We rock the joint and surely represented Warriors nation.. Unfreaking believable! Last two home games of the season lets represent Hawaii!!!! Let’s come out in full force!
Derek … add Niko to Hawaill 50, 90.9 FT % , key reserve and video interviewer.
Dayton, in your article, you have Dominique Dunning as the leading scorer with 18 points. I think you meant Luke Nelson. It surprised me so I checked the box score. I thought wow those were 18 “quiet” points by Dunning.
Valdes was really flying in the first half with those dunks. After being fairly quiet in the first game with Irvine, it was nice to see Janks have a huge game. I think he’s turned out to be arguably the best player when he’s not in foul trouble although you still need Rod to make it all happen.
Islandman, thanks! I knew I forgot somebody, but had a blank. I knew we had 15 and I counted 14, so it’s my bad. Sorry, Niko! Niko should be with the Mr. Dependable group. He’s been there every game, never been hurt, solid when he’s in there.
OAKLAND510 … was that you by the aisle holding a sign at about 40.1 sec left in the game and later at i think16 seconds on the Espn replay ?
Some key plays, Isaac to Janks inside at 1:45 left and Janks made a FT for 67-71, then Rod to Mike inside at 1:16 to make it 69-71.
Before that, Isaac to Janks to make it 63-68 and then Mike to Janks for 66-68. Irvine missed some FT’s near the end.
Don’t forget, Thursday, 2/25/16 – Retro Aloha Shirt Night. Saturday, 2/27/16 – White Out & Senior Night (say aloha to Rod, Q, Sai & Derby)….
This loss hurt Irvine more than when it got steamrolled in Honolulu. This time the ‘Eaters had everything going for them: coming off consecutive 90-plus-point games, a sellout crowd, revenge as motivation, first place at stake. As poorly as they played in Honolulu, they played well last night … running their game plan like they couldn’t in “Episode I.”
And then, with victory in sight, the bullies of the Big West flat-out took their lunch money. Hawaii was mentally tougher, and executed better, when it counted and stole one.
It has to be demoralizing for Irvine. They play lousy and got spanked; they play well and still lose because they couldn’t sustain a lead. I think it’s going to play in their heads should the teams meet up in the tournament.
But that’s way down the road. Next up: Riverside.
Islandman yessir Go Bows
Derek – I’d agree with basically all your selections except I wouldn’t call jovanovic mr. dependable right now. He had a few cringe worthy plays in the first half. I only point that out because I know he can play better! He was ballin in the DHC. Hopefully the coaching staff uses these next two home games to get him and Isaac rolling. We’ve still not seen this team all clicking and healthy at the same time… If we can beat Irvine at their place now, it’s scary to think what we could do with everyone playing their best
Thanks to all for the support. It truly was an incredible road trip for a team that continues to amaze.
Of course, a huge and special mahalo to the Schmidt ‘ohana for sponsoring WarriorInsider to travel to both games.
RE: Magic numbers. I should have been more clear, but the Big West recognizes co-champions if teams are tied atop the final standings. Thus, Hawai’i needs to win two more games to clinch at least a co-championship. For tie-breaker purposes (and the top seed at the Big West Tournament), Hawai’i’s magic number is two with UCI and three with Long Beach State.
RE: UCI leading scorer. Thank you for the correction BigFant. You are right, Luke Nelson led UCI with 18 points. The article has been edited.
UH lucky to win. Was at the game and uh clearly not the aggressors. Not sure why Drammeh logged more minutes than Flemming and Q. Like his D but clearly needs to develop offensively as he was missing everything in warmups. Flemming and Summala couldn’t miss at all in warmups. Maybe wouldn’t have been a last-minute situation if they both played more minutes. Not sure of coach’s reasoning here. Regardless I was sitting in general admission and was the only one smiling at the end of the game…go bows!!!
Wondering if there are co-champions for the regular season and one team is seeded No. 1 for the Big West championship, and none of the co-champions win the Big West tournament, then do both get automatic bids to the NIT ?
Islandman – would think there would only be one and the league would have a formula to decide which team would go.
This team is just enjoyable to watch. You can never count them out.
Go Warriors!
Dear Eran ….. Bobbitt is a senior and replacing him with someone with similar size and skill set will be a must The bar is now set higher , good hunting , congrats to the team for a an unbelievable season. Best of luck to the staff in recruiting for spring signing period.
Looks like Team1st aka UHF can’t resist and is going on multiple back to back post binges again.
Big West not old WAC who could get 2 in ncaa’s and 2 in NIT.
NCAA sad to say not recognize Big West worthy of
multiple teams to their 2 owned March dances. Big one
and little one. Big West teams have to have 2 teams top
Every year to compete even with MWC. not
fair however true. One NIT and one ncaa bid league
historically. So important warriors win next 8 games
which would include first round ncaa. That. is what
Quincy is talking about. Keep winning!!
Go warriors!!
the808, If you watched the game more closely you’d have noticed that:
A) Tummala played less because he was saddled with foul trouble.
B) Fleming did not look 100%. His lateral agility was clearly not there, and he was getting blown by on defense be people he would normally have prevented a drive against. Just look at his late turnover. I dont think he trusts his ankle fully to be making such an awkward step like that.
C), Drammeh hit both of his mid range jumpers, and only missed an off balance three. warmups are a poor way of deciding minutes.
Ganot’s very clearly easing Isaac back into things. I personally dont think he looked 100% physically.
WeBleedGreen …saw you with your son on the espn replay in front of oakland510 and company.
Aaron, better not eat at Burger King, go to McDonald’s.
xer21, gotta say I agree with your assessment.
View from UCI coach Turner, disappointed but not out yet. Hawaii played very well, give them credit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CyxKboEYHc&feature=youtu.be
Reminder, UC Davis won the regular season championship last year at 14-2,24-5, then lost to UH in the semi-finals of the Big West tournament. UC Irvine was the 3RD seed in the tournament and won it.
xer21, I agree to disagree we watch the same game when Valdes picked up his 4th foul Ganot had know choice but to put Isaac in the game he made 3plays down the stretch I refuse to elaborate because its about team wasn’t we down 8pts.
I want to believe your post but it remain to be seen.
Islandman,
Yeah, by the time the game was over, I had like 27 text messages from friends and family with screenshots of us! Lol
I guess the camera stayed on us for a while! Just grateful for an exciting win! Always fun watching and rooting with rod’s, michael’s, aaron’s, niko’s, quincy’s, and sai’s families! Such an epic group of young men with fantastic families. Going to miss this bunch!! Let’s enjoy this ride!!!
Who Remembers Last Year’s ‘Reguar Season’ Champion? The NIT Entry? (UC Davis)
RE-Stated: IF Hawai’i “Fails” to Win Three in BWC Tourney,
What we’re (NOW) Excited about is Just ‘Also-Ran’ Stuff;
Although I’m sure we Feel Two Games ‘Better’ than UCIrvine,
Last Year, I can tell you WE Felt Like The Top Two because We Beat 15-3 Davis and made it to The Championship Game although we were ‘Just’ an 8-8/10-9 Conference Team.
I Like the Women’s BWC Tourney set-up, where theTop Two in Regular Season get Rewarded And Protected with Double-Byes into the Semis; One Day when (IF Ever) the Conference Earns a Second (even Third, Bid) it may get a Regular Season Champ or Second into the NCAAs…The Bottom Four (5 Thru 8) would have to Win Four games to ‘Earn’ a Championship. IT Makes The Regular Season mean something; at least for Top Two Versus Bottom Four…
How Can ADs understand that for the women, but Not Direct it for the men?
The men’s coaches don’t want it?
Islandman, Good to See what we’d be talkin’ about (Russell Turner) IF the Last Two minutes didn’t trip up on a Glass Slipper (OF TWO-MINUTES SHUT-DOWN BALL! SO TOUGH!)…[btw, UCI has some great players…)
‘Bows! Great Win!
WINNER’S High is Something Special
Just Keep Winnin’!
GO ‘BOWS!
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14820599/the-floor-which-teams-give-conference-best-shot-final-four
Some respect! I never thought Hawaii and final four could be used in the same sentence. Got to keep it up! Pack the Stan Sheriff!
Warriorfan: “Watch out for Hawaii.” Oh yeah, baby!!! Love it. Thanks for sharing.
This group of young men want nothing other than a league & BWC tournament championship before we start comparing apple,oranges coaches and players lets wait until the last horn sound in Aahiem.
Thursday game is officially a trap game after sweeping UCI aka ( Goliath ) nothing bigger than the next game and I expect a few more big games from Isaac when opportunity present itself team 1st.
LETS GO WARRIORS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s been mentioned before but not too often, but I’ve watched/listened to every game and I’m really impressed with Sai Tummala crashing the boards. He will come crashing from the wing and grab boards, block out, and try to tip balls. He gets credit for hitting threes, but that guy is a beast in the key as well.
UH received 3 votes in Coaches Poll, down from 7 last week. Equiv to No. 37.
Hawaii received 12 points in the AP Poll, up from 5 points last week. Now equivalent to No 34 in the nation.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings/ap
Of all the things we need to be grateful for making TEAM the #1 in BWC –
The outstanding officiating of the last game!
Thursday is indeed a trap game. It’s tempting to overlook Riverside because they just dismissed their best player, Taylor Johns, from the team, but Jaylen Bland is still a very talented shooter who has the potential to shoot a team into a game, a la Corey Hawkins.
Regarding officiating, anyone know why Aaron wasn’t called for a foul when it looked like he was falling down and fell into Jaron Martin some after Jaron attempted his last seconds shot ?
Islandman…
That’s a good question… I don’t recall the ESPN crew specifically say anything about it, but Martin got up quickly after his fall, seeming to indicate that the contact wasn’t hard at all. Personally, I think he was faking the foul. No one on the court seemed to complain about it.
islandman.
Looking at the replay it appears Martin was falling backwards on his own and thus when Valdez made contact with him he was already in the process of falling. Thus no foul on the part of Valdez.
Congrats again. One game at a time and keep working and playing hard.
Let’s reserve any talk about the players options of staying next year or not, until after the season is all said and done. No need to add unnecessary matter into their minds on their ultimate goal of winning the championship one game at a time and going to the NCAA tournament.
Xer 21 – unlike you I didn’t have the luxury of listening to the announcers sitting at home, plus I had a beer or two. Please don’t come at me like that for what is my opinion. Maybe you should watch more closely and realize that when Fleming went in we started to turn the game around. Coach didn’t give ,Fleming a chance to get into a rhythm. Also no one guards Drammeh because they don’t have to. What do you think that does to the flow of the offense when he logs that many minutes? Drammeh is a good defender but again watch him in warmups the kid needs to improve his shooting. Not to say he can’t and maybe he’s more of a gamer but clearly even you have to agree that we are better off with Fleming or Q in the game.
I never said Fleming didnt help us turn it around. What I said is that he wasnt 100%, and you could see it in the way he played. His lateral agility was not where we’re used to seeing him. I love seeing him play, but the last thing we need is for him to reinjure his ankle. Because that’s what we were risking out there.
xer21 I agree with your post he didn’t look like he was 100% that was due to frustration doing the best he could to hold back his emotions. For the sake of the team with all do respect to the coaches and team players play coaches coach.
Moderator why did you delete the previous post bloggers can throw daggers at individual players with know voice but when you voice the obvious it gets deleted smh.