Gamenight: Nevada
For the eighth straight year, Hawaii takes part in the College Hoops Tip-off Marathon. For the fourth straight year, UH can win the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic heading into the round robin tournament finale.
The last two years, the Rainbow Warriors haven’t come through for the insomniacs.
As it happens, UH coach Eran Ganot has participated in every year of ESPN’s pet event one to date, either with the Rainbow Warriors or with Saint Mary’s, which was also an annual participant for a while there.
If you missed Roderick Bobbitt‘s Big West Player of the Week honor, you can read about it here.
Nevada should provide a stiffer test than either Montana State or Coastal Carolina. UH and UNR each beat the other two teams by double digits.
The athletic Wolf Pack have been particularly impressive on the glass, in blocking shots, and in throwing it down emphatically. UH figures to be tested inside. Outside shooting, however, looks like a weakness so far for the Pack, which has made just 23.3 percent from 3.
Keep an eye out for freshman forward Cameron Oliver, who comes off the bench. He’s threatened to tear off the Stan Sheriff Center rims in his first two career outings. He was just nasty on some of his throw-downs, either on tip dunks or on lobs.
Nevada lost freshman guard Juwan Anderson with a severe right leg injury on Sunday. He won’t be suiting up tonight. Wing Lindsey Drew is questionable with an ankle sprain. Still, Reno has four other players averaging double figures, led by point guard Marqueze Coleman (17.0 ppg).
UH is favored over the Wolf Pack by five. However, Nevada has won 11 of the last 13 in the series and leads the head-to-head meetings overall 20-11. The teams last met in February of 2012, before they went their separate ways to the Big West and Mountain West and the WAC transitioned into its new (downgraded) phase.
It is a “Blackout” theme for the fans. If you can’t make it out to the arena for the 11 p.m. tipoff, Kanoa Leahey is on the call on ESPN2. His broadcast partner, interestingly, is a former Rainbow Classic all-tournament teamer: Maryland’s Adrian Branch.
The Rainbows are 4-3 in Tip-off Marathon games games. Here’s the list.
>> 2008: Hawaii 67, Idaho State 63, OT
>> 2009: Northern Colorado 81, Hawaii 75
>> 2010: Hawaii 65, Central Michigan 62
>> 2011: Hawaii 86, Cal State Northridge 67
>> 2012: Hawaii 73, Houston Baptist 60
>> 2013: New Mexico State 95, Hawaii 88
>> 2014: High Point 64, Hawaii 52
A win is a win, but this one shouldn’t have been this close. Going forward the team really needs to work on their free throw shooting. Maybe they should run ladders and then shoot free throws when they’re sucking wind. This might help the concentration.
Adrian Branch misidentified Issac Fleming as the 2014-2015 NCAA leader in steals at the end of the first half.
Kanoa Leahey was classy enough not to put him on the spot.
I still get a little charge from seeing Leahey work on ESPN telecasts.
Exciting game and terrific win. Free throw shooting absolutely needs improvement. But right now just great to see that pile of players on the floor in celebration. Go Bows!!!
Well, I must say it was an exciting game and to win it is even more exciting. I figured it would be a tight game. Nevada’s Coleman was a one man gang in the second half. UH had no answer for him, but UH’s collective production was terrific.
Down the stretch, Jankovic was big, Valdes was big, Thomas was big, and Bobbitt was huge at the end. Kanoa and Branch did a great job. Kanoa should be doing the football telecasts too.
Stefan Jankovich doesn’t look particularly effective out there, but when you look at his statistics, he’s averaging eleven points and eight rebounds a game.
What are his numbers going to look like when he starts playing well?
Brian, can you change your front page of the blog? Still shows the old HC.