Hawaii win ramifications
Huge victory tonight by Gib Arnold‘s Rainbow Warriors in Boise, Idaho.
A program that reached a 13-game WAC road losing streak earlier this season (going back to 2008-09) now has a genuine WAC road winning streak to call its own.
But UH (13-9, 4-6 WAC) can’t afford to let up. While four WAC wins exceeds last season’s three, there isn’t much separating the middle of the WAC pack from the bottom right now. The Rainbow Warriors remained in sixth place, and bottom-half teams San Jose State and Fresno State both won in overtime tonight against top-half teams Idaho and New Mexico State, reinforcing the parity of the league — excepting Utah State at the top at 10-0.
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UH shot 58 percent in defeating the Broncos 73-66 despite missing junior guard Zane Johnson with concussion-like symptoms and freshman forward Trevor Wiseman for academics. Both cases were admittedly surprising; Johnson was held out of contact in practices after the Utah State game (when he took a Tai Wesley elbow to the head) but I think the sense was among the coaches (and Zane) that Johnson would be cleared by gameday. In Wiseman’s case, it was a true surprise that he didn’t make the first part of the trip.
But Johnson’s 14.6 points per game and Wiseman’s hustle weren’t missed, as senior forward Bill Amis rumbled for 22 on 9-for-12 shooting and several other Rainbow Warriors added solid complementary efforts.
Junior guard Miah Ostrowski came up huge again — saying that is becoming a habit — with 12 points and eight assists. He spelled Hiram Thompson after just the first minute when Thompson’s nose was bloodied by a wayward elbow to the face.
In the postgame on KKEA, 1420-AM with play-by-play man Bobby Curran, Arnold sounded optimistic that he’d have both Johnson and Wiseman back available to play on Saturday at Idaho.
nineteen win is attainable and an NIT bid.
Not to be a bummer, but 19 wins would be a thing to behold, I would love it of course. I didn’t even think we could have a winning season but now that’s very realistic. If we can replace Amis and land a solid PG we should be even better next year.
I like the way they’re peaking at the right time. Nothing can be ruled out; sky’s the limit!
The return of Bill Amis and the addition of Miah Ostrowski has obviousily turned this team around. Especially at the point.The impact of these two players has had catalytic affect and ignited others…. overall team performance has improved. Hopefully, Zane and Trevor return. Bows need the total chemistry.