Big game for Wahine
It’s been a while since any thoughts were offered up here about the Hawaii women’s basketball team, so perhaps today’s pivotal game at New Mexico State is a good time.
UH (8-15, 3-5 Western Athletic Conference) heads into its longest road trip of the season on a four-game losing streak — one that’s seen the Rainbow Wahine tumble out of a tie for second to their current position in fifth.
“Second half of WAC gives you a chance to see where you’re at, and a road win is much needed for our program,” UH coach Dana Takahara-Dias said from Las Cruces, N.M., on Wednesday. “But a win here will also help us move up in the standings heading into the WAC tournament.
“We had three home games in a row, and disappointingly were unable to get a win off of that. But we are optimistic about our road trip. None of us hung our heads and we are excited to get a chance to get on the court again and play. Hopefully reverse our fate (tonight).”
Either way, it’s on to Ruston, La., to play Louisiana Tech on Saturday, and that’s a tough place to get a win even with the Lady Techsters having a down year by their lofty standards.
Today’s tipoff is at 3:30 Hawaii Time.
You can check out the game for yourself on OC 12, which is picking up AggieVision’s local call of the game in Las Cruces.
If you’re watching, a player to keep your eye on is the Aggies’ senior forward, Tabytha Wampler. She torched UH for 24 points and nine boards in UH’s 51-48 win in the first half of WAC play.
The Wahine will have to get Kamilah Jackson going early; she struggled last time out in the home loss to San Jose State. It’s been a while since the main scoring threats on the team — Jackson, Vicky Tagalicod, Breanna Arbuckle and Alissa Campanero — were all rolling at the same time.
UH picked up a road breakthrough win there last season, and NMSU (5-19, 2-7) is having a rough go of it under first-year coach Mark Trakh. The Wahine already notched a road win at Nevada, so ending the losing streak here is possible.
Wasn’t Mark Trakh considered for the Wahine job when Dana got it?
Hey Brian, is Orel Lev returning next year or does he have to serve in the Israeli army?
Heard it’s bye bye for Lev.
Relax, Orel Lev isn’t going anywhere. Not sure exactly what was said about him at the athletic luncheon yesterday, but Gib Arnold said on the phone this afternoon there is “no chance” that happens in the immediate sense.
And Kendall, yes, your memory serves you well. Trakh was among the final eight, as well as Gavin Petersen.
I think its time for Coach Dias to take a looooooong walk into retirement cause I cannot see the Wahine program progressing and I know if she is retained for next season, the program will continue to be in its current state of doldrum. Please don’t tell me that this is a young team because Dias has had 3 yrs. to show something in the way of knowing what she is doing which ends up to be nothing…..losing a lead of 19 pts. on your home court and eventually losing the game is absurb….She is way over her head in Div. 1 and if she is retained then this is a travesty of favoring locals over mainland hires because if it was a mainland hire, that coach would have been gone in a blind of an eye……C’mon J.D. get someone that can coach Div. 1 women’s basketball. Nothing more and nothing less.
Don’t Quote Me, but i thought the Israeli Army not only had both men & women, but started service earlier, maybe age 16, even 14;
Many Cultures treat “men” as men at age 12 — (i was ready …)
Somebody — Please Confirm The Facts (& Quote The Source…)
Thanks, Brian …
Had submitted (above) three times but didn’t “catch” til now …
Had also Called Coaches but they were tied up prepping for the “Monster Trip” …Win Two ! maybe Three !
Are there ever really ever big games in UH women’s hoops? Really? Big? Games?
They USED TO Win WAC Championships and were Regularly in the Top Two or Three where every game (a potential loss, but usually a Win) is Big …
How Much Longer ’til The Staff Gets Going or ’til we get a Staff that CAN get Both Good Guards and Enough Bigs ?
For Women’s Sports, where their College Years ARE the Best Athletic Years of their lives (so few can play Pro) there’s “No Reason” to not be getting some Blue or Near-Blue Chippers — NOT Just One Kamilah Jackson but maybe one (or more) from several regions: NZ, Australia, Europe, East US, West US, etc.
Recruiting Budget ? Charlie Wade’s or Mike Trapasso’s (Programs that needed to re-emerge toward greatness) can’t be much bigger but they’re getting potential stars from ‘all over the place’
UleNui808AURYTE I was there!!! It’s almost time for wnhaie volleyball again just 3 more months. I can’t wait to see them in action. Football starts up around the same time as well, too bad we got USC as our first opponent and i hate to say it but we’re probably gonna get our asses kicked. I hope UH at least makes the spread but i doubt they will.