Fleming returns to practice
And now the Isaac Fleming Watch is ended … in a good way for Hawaii.
“Game of Thrones” references aside, the Rainbow Warriors’ sophomore guard made a full return to team practice on Saturday at the Sheriff Center. Whatever “personal matters” that were cited earlier by coach Eran Ganot have apparently been resolved.
Forward Mike Thomas also is back from his meniscus strain, meaning UH is at full strength again.
More on the matter in tomorrow’s print edition.
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Now as for Thursday’s 101-96 overtime win over Chaminade, many I’ve spoken to since the exhibition are of two minds on the matter.
First, credit Ganot and the ‘Bows for coming back from 22 points down in the first half. A 20-1 UH run bridging the halves, spurred by the backcourt of Roderick Bobbitt and Quincy Smith before the break, was critical.
On the other hand, it was worrisome that UH got so far down against the Division II Silverswords, who played with confidence and bombed away from long range all night. Their 31-6 first-half run was staggering.
Some other pros and cons:
Pro: UH showed it could still be formidable when it has to freelance and play smallball. UH ended up going away from the schemes it practiced throughout the preseason, and Roderick Bobbitt (20 pts, 15 ast, 4 stl) delivered when it mattered. Aaron Valdes (31 pts, 14 reb) ended up playing some 5, but looked right at home against Chaminade’s small front line. Quincy Smith (15 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) got some action at the 4.
Con: Lack of depth was underscored. With Fleming watching from the end of the bench and Thomas out, UH couldn’t afford much in the way of foul trouble. But that’s what happened to Stefan Jankovic, and Stefan Jovanovic struggled to capitalize with his size in limited minutes. UH got outrebounded by 10.
Pro: The ‘Bows hit some clutch shots. Redshirt freshmen Brocke Stepteau was Ganot’s first player in off the bench and he gained confidence by the minute even after his first couple of shots were off the mark. His four 3s were a must in the comeback; without them, UH takes its first exhibition L since 2002. Smith also showed off his improved stroke, going 2-for-4.
Con: UH didn’t get much from its newcomers. Sai Tummala struggled to five points on 2-for-12 shooting and fouled out with five rebounds. Sheriff Drammeh scored two points in 17 minutes.
Pro: UH tried something new with a roller derby exhibition at halftime and there was a guy in a T-rex suit (random, much?) on the court.
Con: The skaters scuffed up the court pretty good, it went on way, way too long, and no one could understand what the announcer was saying.
The Isaac Fleming Watch is ended…for now.
It’ll be great to see a full, healthy roster at the start of the season, barring no injuries until then (fingers crossed). Awesome to have Isaac back in the mix. His energy, when tempered, is so beneficial to the team. Have a great season guys!
Brian, a meniscus strain can not be taken lightly bc the slightest jam or twist will cause a tear or reflame the catilage and tissue. So we need to see Mike Thomas in action. I would hold “back to full strength”. Flemings return is fantastic news. I sensed that by the way Issac embraced Brock after the game. He was so happy for his teammate. You could see him rejoicing over the magic moment.
Brocke Stepteau is the diamond in the rough. We did not count on him to contribute…we shall see. I would say our team is back as a whole. The jelling process in my mind must come first. And if it took playing Chaminade to get that going that is all that matters.
The entire returning core have game. Stephan will improve once he figures out how to best contribute in this system. Looking forward positively…
“WELCOME BACK ISAAC” … and I do mean welcome back !!!!!
Brian:
Similar thought as one of the posts, Isaac I quite the volatile personality.. one moment good, happy go lucky, next.. unhappy not lucky…hope he just matures and stays on board. Mike Thomas, MCL , strain, can play with that, he still has to rehab. and be careful, Mike is very injury prone.. has to strengthen surrounding tissue and muscle..
As for Eran Ganot’s offense, ? I think that push, pressure, force steals, and transition, score within 15 seconds if opportunity is there.. UH can create leads. .. with 3 good guards and a smart SF in Valdes and Janks../ Thomas healthy..they can win against a weak pre BWC schedule.. cannot, not that top 7, get hurt or other issues.. credit to Benjy Taylor,.. very not aloha, of UH not appreciating what he did.. 22 wins, and almost the NCAA dance, and no reward, a permanent HC position for him.. we MBB fanatics will support basically HIS guys.. admin.. they .. well.. will hold my tongue on that.. really not classy at all. the guys are a strong bunch though.. hope Fleming stays on track.
Oh, Eran offense that 4 out 1 big in? Like Riley’s flex, takes a lot of repetition.. and practice till perfected. .. plus the glaring weakness? still UH does not have 5 guys from 1 through 5 spots.. that they can put on the court that can hit three pointers at near 40 percent clip.. if they did. .. UH would be top 30 team for sure..
That is why, that Benjy Ball? that defense pressure and go.. transition.. plus Brocke, a walkon. that got hot? that is not the 4 out 1 big in. that is Benjy Frenzy that fits the MBB team, the strengths of team to a “T”.. Eran should let UH pressure, steal, deflections and run.. have some good lock down half court offense that Bobbitt, Fleming and Qunicy , although Q has to shoot way better FT percentage .can mean win or loss. those guards .. they can control ball to win ball games.. we shall see.. Hope the team has Great season, they deserve it..
Out rebounded by 10. Sounds like a big, looming problem unless its fixed.
H-Man:
that is a challenge..and out rebounded by a smallish good Chaminae team.. don’t think.. Aaron Valdes will average 14 rebounds a game this year. if so he is an All American..
We have to see. how does UH do against DI good bigs and smalls. ..even the lower tier ones in pre BWC season. .. not a cakewalk. ..do like the returnees.. fell that eran with Jack Purchase, Jackob Cornelisson and Sheriff Drammeh, they are good guys. and developing. however.. .I don’t know yet. if that is the Future of UH MBB .. the team now…from last year.. best shot to go to NCAA’s..in my opinion
Not still on the Benjy subject, are we? Guess some will never give it up. See you all on Friday night. The king of sports is back! Go Bows!
Regarding no one being able to understand what the announcer was saying during the roller derby exhibition, has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a problem with the sound system this year? Pre-game intros and in-game announcements were garbled and difficult to understand as well. Clearly something is broken, as the SSC used to have really good clear sound.
Hoosier 20 win coach dont go away fast !! more so in hawaii !! and when a team that more 3/4 was from last year the people all going think 20 win is a giving !! go bow !!!
Ganot better hope that Canda is eligible for the 2nd semester. Unless we get good production from our BIGS it will be a long season. Didn’t hear anything about Enos!
It reads like Ganot could possibly a Good Coach, he’s experimenting with how the players works in his system and seeing them play loose for the win. Ganot’s not ramrodding his game plan down the players or our throats, yet!
If Ganot is willing to let players play to win and not putting what he wants done 1st and foremost, his way, then he has to be a good coach as to observing and altering his game plan to fit the players he has on hand.
The T-Rex looked part-condom, part Pez dispenser.
Jack Purchase sounds like a Bob Dylan pseudonym.
Darn I think I did loose the bet. I thought that was former player Balocka. So it really was a T-Rex suit. Kidding aside its good to have. Everyone back into the practice As for the con on new guys scoring very little. I don’t think Tummala will have another shooting night like tonight( I can see him 4 of 7 @ 10-15 pts a game). Drammeh looks competent on the court just needs court time.
Hey
Eran win 23 games and make ncaa’s , anoint him as the best first year head coach in UH history…probably one of weakest 4 man recuiting class by Ganot in past near 20 years
Benjy, hoosier man..his 22 wins will never be vacated
Best record for a token interim coach
Hugh Durham coach of mid season award winner
How can at least 5000 fans forget?
Eran and team stumble, no shooters outstanding from 3 line
Could end up 9-25
Hope not..want team to do well
Thanks for setting table for eran.,..fans will not forget papa bear benjy
One minute Ganot gonna do great with Benjy’s players. Next minute gonna be 9-25. I remember Poorboy statement that 17 wins would be good year. Go buy a car if you want to support Benjy. Not taking anything away from Benjy but at some point you need to move on.
16.
Petras Balocka.
Great comment.
I think we share the same irreverent sense of humor when it comes to the UH men’s basketball program.
man, Petras demanding the ball down low.. a period of MBB.. downer years..
whomever playing, coaching we want wins and championships..
nice if UH MBB and WBB both make it to the ncaa’s, men so thin in depth, poor 3 point shooting, rebounding .. however they find a way.
Jeff P. , analyst? basketball guru and BOR chair.. nuts.. only in Hawaii, I guess he worked 5 years to get eran in.. he got em in.
Lol. Thanks for info Brian. Hope some commenters stay with Warrior Insider. Can count on you for latest scoop
I honestly don’t know if Ganot will lead Hawaii to success.
One thing I did notice about Ganot is that he is rockin’ a goatee…and for the life of me I cannot think of any Div 1 coach who has a goatee and has found championship success….Yes, I know that it is only hair on his face…Still can anyone name a Div 1 coach who has a goatee that has found success and won championships?
The only coach I can think of is Coach Shaka Zulu from VCU, who looks like he has a goatee sometimes…but most times he does not.
I just hope that the Goatee that the coach has is not a telling thing…cause that close win against Chaminade is not a good thing…preseason or not.
Go Warriors!
Brian…just a suggestion…but maybe time to changed your blog pictures that represent the new warriors..Benjy and Nevels are the past…Aloha.
It’s the goatee!!!! How did we miss that???? Hilarious!!!!!
24…
Can you think of any Div 1 coaches rockin a goatee and won championships?…Damn thing on his face is bothering me…LOL!
LOL! Does look a little scruffy. I don’t pay that much attention to the coaches but now I will be looking cuz u stuck that thought in my head. Trying to picture Bobby Knight with a goatee. Scary….
26…
I know it’s been stuck in my head since last week…and I am still trying to picture a winning Div 1 HC who had a goatee and was successful.
Damn, this is going to be like that song that you can’t get out of your head.
Must be a reason why no Div 1 HC has a goatee.
I say we partition Ganot to just shave it off, before it is to late…Almost losing to Chaminade with our preseason 3rd ranked Big West team could be a warning….LOL!
22.
Colin Cowherd would agree with you.
He hates “backwards cap guy”.
Cappie…
One of my coaches use to also hate guys who wore their hats backwards…and use to say that those kind of guys don’t know whether they F’in coming or going…LOL!
Nolan Richardson, Arkansas, had goatee. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_Richardson#/media/File%3ANolan_Richardson.jpg
Nope…
Nolan Richardson had a simple stash on his upper lip when he was dominating at Arkansas.
Sure looks like a goatee to me but when your mind is made up. Seriously, you can not like the facial hair but it has nothing to do with winning or losing.
32…
Yeah in that picture the older retired coach Richardson is sporting a goatee…but look at his pictures when he was coaching and kicking A$$ at Arkansas…That’s a stash he wearing and not a full on goatee.
http://media.photobucket.com/user/gametimeny/media/nolanx.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=nolan richardson&filters[primary]=images&filters[secondary]=videos&sort=1&o=13
Yeah…I know that it is only hair on his face…I was just looking at his picture one day and the thought of no coaches in the Div 1 men’s basketball who has had a lot of success and won a championship…ever had a goatee.
It was just something that made go…..Hmmmmmmmm.
But now you gotta ask what coach before Richardson spotted the full mustache…but I don’t think we gotta worry about NCAA championships. Big West would be nice start
34…
I looked at the full list and couldn’t find one coach who won championships who had a stash…I think Coach Richardson was the only one…He and his stash may be an anomaly…Do you think Ganot and his goatee is an anomaly as well?…I guess we will all have to wait and see come March.