Whole on the road
For the first time in Big West Conference play, the Hawaii basketball team departed as a complete unit for the road Tuesday.
Last time, it was Isaac Fleming who stayed home. The time before that, Roderick Bobbitt flew in separately and played catch up just in time, and Aaron Valdes made the trip but was out with his toe injury.
Fleming appears to be ready to go after getting in a full practice Monday. The rationale given for him not playing last Saturday against Cal State Fullerton (when he dressed to play and warmed up pregame) was that he hadn’t fully practiced; now he has. Coach Eran Ganot wouldn’t say for sure whether Fleming was a go as the Rainbows loaded up the team bus, but signs point to the guard getting in there for the first time in five games.
If so, the timing is fortuitous. This is UH’s most vital road trip yet, CSUN on Thursday and (the big one) UC Irvine on Saturday in what should be a packed house at the Bren Events Center.
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On his way boarding the team bus, fourth-year junior guard Dyrbe Enos said he is graduating this semester. He will be honored in the senior night ceremonies, along with Bobbitt, Quincy Smith and Sai Tummala.
The Kamehameha product, a former high school state player of the year, has been a reliable teammate over the last four years. Two years ago, he was a borderline rotation player. His minutes have been fewer since, but he puts in the time in practice and otherwise. It’s hard to find a guy within the program better liked; he’ll be missed.
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Speaking of Smith, keep your eye out for a story in Wednesday’s print edition about the impending showdown between the Smith brothers, Quincy and Kendall, at the Matadome.
Down goes Stony Brook.
When people talk about east coast bias, this is what they’re talking about.
If there was an American East/Big West Challenge, I think the latter would win.
82-70 loss to Albany.
This is where Hawaii can pick up votes.
Hawaii’s RPI doesn’t even guarantee themselves a NIT at-large bid.
If Hawaii loses to CS-Northridge, they can drop back to the low-hundreds.
Ganot should have kept that Vegas trip on the schedule. But in his defense, I don’t think he thought the team would be in this situation.
Hawaii got a nice boost the last time they played UC-Irvine because the Anteaters’ RPI was in the high-forties. This time, depressingly, they’re listed at #73.
No fourteen spot boost this time should Hawaii prevail with a W.
Hawaii is EXACTLY like Stephen F. Austin from last season. Despite a gaudy record, they literally have to win every game to make the field of 68.
And thanks a lot Northern Iowa.
Losing at Loyola-Chicago is BRUTAL.
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THEM?
If the Panthers were 21-7 instead of 16-12, I think Hawaii would be a lock for a NIT at-large bid, at the very least.
No worries, beef curry. Hawaii will win the BWC and be in the tournament. But as the 12th or 13th seed, it’s one and done. Maybe we should go to the NIT instead and play our way all the way to Madison Square Gahdin.
Does anyone know what happened to Valdes. He is not playing in today’s game due to injury or illness.
The announcers mentions that Aaron has the flu.