Gamenight: New Mexico State
The Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic meant something a little different to Negus Webster-Chan than the rest of his Hawaii teammates.
NWC, who is redshirting as a transfer from Missouri, got to reconnect with a few old friends who play for New Mexico State, UH’s opponent tonight in the ESPN College Hoops Tip-off Marathon.
Webster-Chan, of Scarborough, Ontario, got to meet up with NMSU’s native Canadians Daniel Mullings and Renaldo Dixon, and brothers Sim and Tanveer Bhullar.
“They’re like my brothers. Not even just basketball, outside of basketball too,” Webster-Chan said. “I’ve seen them every day (out here).”
But Webster-Chan said he wouldn’t be torn on whom to root for come game time. He won’t be suited up as a redshirt player, but he’ll be planted firmly at the end of the UH bench.
“I’m used to facing people I know,” he said. “There’s Canadians everywhere. So, it’s not any different to me. Off the court, we’re still family. On the court it’s just strictly business.”
NMSU has had a strong pipeline from Canada for a while now.
Mullings’ triple-double against UH in Las Cruces, N.M., in 2012 might have been a good thing for the ‘Bows in the long run. UH coach Gib Arnold said he changed up his recruiting plans because of the Canadian guard’s prowess.
“Very athletic, very good player,” Arnold said of Mullings, who is now a junior playing tonight. “I was telling our guys the reason Negus is here is because of Daniel Mullings. After seeing him play, I said we gotta get to Toronto and start recruiting Toronto. We really did. We went up there … and were able to run into some of Negus’ people.”
When the ‘Bows take on their old WAC foe in the Aggies, some of UH’s past — and possibly a big part of its future in Webster-Chan — will be on hand in the Stan Sheriff.
It’s a “Blackout” game, so if you’re able to stay up and make it out to the game tonight, don’t forget to wear black.
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Senior guard Brandon Spearman continues to make progress back from his high ankle sprain. He won’t be suited up tonight, but he might make the trip to Missouri later this week — and might actually play there.
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Christian Standhardinger was named the Big West Player of the Week on Monday. Here’s the breaking news item posted today.
Knock Off NMSU in the SSC again, just like in 2012
With a Better Team This Time
Play HOT!, ‘Bows!
Give the National TV ESPN Audience
their First Clue to Emerging Hawai’i…
Give The Big West their First of Many Hawai’i Scares This Season
As This Team Elevates Itself AND The Conference to Another Level…
Way to Go Christian!
I’m Looking for Three or even More Different ‘Bows POWeek Awards This Season…
missed too many free throws and easy open shots. cant do that against a team shooting 73.7% for the 2nd half.
missing shamburger in the 2nd half proved costly as well.
missed opportunities costly in the end
RAINBOWS GOT SCREWED BY THE SIDELINE OFFICIALS HANDLING TIMEOUTS, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO TAKE ONE THEY DIDN’T HAVE. THEY ALSO OFTEN DON’T HAVE THE CORRECT PLAYERS ON COURT; MANY TIMES A PLAYER WILL MAKE A BASKET, BUT THEIR NUMBER IS NOT LISTED ON THE SCOREBOARD. CHECK OUT THE NEXT CUPLA GAMES.
ALLAN: Thanks for that real time, and you being there clarification. If sideline officials, and score keeping staff are not doing their jobs, really can cost team a game. It seemed, like UH staff, really believed they had that final timeout, if the sideline crew, screwed them,up, well time for SSC or whoever handles officials, to reprimand, or get another , more qualified staff. Very costly, ..I think NMSU also, against WMichgan, had a timeout, they called, that they did not have, .Boy, that makes a lot of sense now…UH, has to double check who is officiating, and that every thing is done right. Can mean win or loss!