No games, but still a work week for Warriors
The University of Hawai’i basketball team does not have a game this week, but it is definitely not a week off.
Despite a victory on Saturday against Hawai’i-Hilo, the Rainbow Warriors expressed disappointment in the 82-75 win over the Division II Vulcans. Seniors Jack Purchase and Brocke Stepteau both said that the Warriors need to use this full week of practices to improve the effort, particularly on defense.
“Back to the basics,” Purchase said. “We’re getting back to all the drills we were doing in September and August. We’re just working on defense. Working on getting back in shape, staying in shape, staying consistent in what we do. Just working on our basics. Going through the offense, working on where we’re supposed to be on defense, working on floor positioning.”
The Warriors, who are 5-4, will host Mississippi Valley State (2-9) on December 16 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
“We need a week of practice to tighten up some things and just focus on ourselves and get ready for Mississippi Valley State,” Stepteau said. “I think a week of practice is going to help us a lot as far as tightening up the things we seen while we were in California and against Hilo that we need to work on. It’s a good way to get better without playing games.”
After holding each of its first four opponents of the season below 70 points, Hawai’i has since allowed 75 or more to four of its last five opponents. UH-Hilo shot 52.8 percent from the field against the Warriors.
“Coming off a game like that, where we didn’t play as well as we wanted to at all, it’s definitely good that we can get back in the lab and go have some practices and work on what we need to work on so that it doesn’t happen the next game,” Purchase said.
However, this week without games was purposely set, and not just for practices. This is also “finals week,” and all students on the UH campus are taking final examinations for the Fall Semester.
Purchase said he completed one final exam on Monday, and has another one coming up on Thursday.
“For me, this is probably the best time of the year,” Purchase said. “You’re finishing school and you’re able to get in the gym. Some guys got finals, so we got a couple of days off this week for guys to study for big tests coming up.”
Junior guard Leland Green, who did not attend the UH-Hilo game for personal reasons, was with the team on Tuesday.
HAWAI’I (5-4) vs. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (2-9)
When: Sunday, December 16, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu
TV: Live on Spectrum Sports (channels 12 / 1012)
Streaming Video: BigWest.TV (Must be a Spectrum cable subscriber to stream in Hawai’i)
Radio: Live on ESPN 1420 AM. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KPUA on the Big Island, KTOH on Kaua’i, and KNWJ in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Audio Webcast: ESPN1420am.com/Sideline Hawai’i App.
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: Lower Level – $30 for all seats. Upper Level – $18 or $20 for adults, $16 or $18 for senior citizens (ages 65 and older), $5 or $7 for students (ages 4 through high school). Upper level prices vary by section. UH Manoa students free with validated ID. Parking is $6.
