Game night: Hawaii vs. UC Irvine

UC Irvine controlled the boards, the pace and then the narrative in 70-63 victory over Hawaii tonight in the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of 5,949 — the largest of the season at home — saw the Anteaters hit their first five shots of the second half to widen a 27-26 margin to 40-31.

Every time the ‘Bows made a push, the Anteaters responded.

Guards Eyassu Worku and Evan Leonard scored 21 and 16 points, respectively, for the Anteaters.

Drew Buggs led UH with 17 points.

* * * * *

UC Irvine took a 27-26 lead into the half. Of note:

> The ‘Bows did not connect on three 3-point attempts.

> The Anteaters, who entered with a plus-9.5 rebounding advantage, had an 18-17 margin off the glass.

> The Anteaters rotated four in the low post.

> After missing the past five games because of a back injury, Samuta Avea started. Avea led the ‘Bows with six first-half points.


* * * * *

The ‘Bows went on a 9-0 run to surge to a 22-19 lead with 3:35 to play in the first half.

The ‘Bows took a 20-19 lead when point guard Drew Buggs backed his way into the paint, then hit a turn-around jumper over Isaiah Lee.

Soon after, Zigmars Raimo’s hook shot was pinned on the glass by Austin Johnson for a goal-tending violation .

* * * * *

It’s a little testy early. UCI’s Russell Turner and UH’s Eran Ganot were assessed techs at the the first media timeout. It’s 4-4 with 15:35 left in the first half.
* * * * *

It will be both a retirement party and a reunion tonight when Hawaii plays host to Big West basketball leader UC Irvine.


Bob Nash’s jersey No. 33 will be retired during the halftime ceremony. It will be the first number retirement in the program’s history.

This also will mark the return of wing Samuta Avea, who missed five games because of a back ailment.

COMMENTS

  1. cappie the $2000 dog February 15, 2020 7:13 pm

    Look at that! Look at that! If anybody is reading this in real time. Twice Raimo was called for a charge on Long Beach State player flops. Raimo is on the other side of the ball and the refs let it go. Same crew, right?


  2. cappie the $2000 dog February 15, 2020 7:31 pm

    There. Buggs got into the paint. He got fouled. There was none of that against Long Beach. I think he’s going to have a good game.


  3. cappie the $2000 dog February 15, 2020 7:54 pm

    6-39 from the field on national television.


  4. Afan February 15, 2020 8:20 pm

    Dawson Carper is so frustrating to watch!


  5. cappie the $2000 dog February 15, 2020 8:41 pm

    I had a rebuttal, but something told me to wait. And he got capped. That was frustrating.


  6. NorthShoreFan February 15, 2020 8:46 pm

    Yes, UH “big men” are non existent. Don’t seem they’ve developed any. Too tentative and not strong.


  7. cappie the $2000 dog February 15, 2020 8:58 pm

    This is like the UC-Riverside game. Irvine is up five; you have to look for your leading scorer.


  8. sports for fun February 15, 2020 9:09 pm

    Frustrating game to watch tonight. Sorry, but Hawaii bigs played small and were dominated tonight on BOTH sides of the floor.


  9. Matt February 15, 2020 9:25 pm

    I just really don’t know what’s wrong with this team. This is a nightmare to watch at a personal level. They might as well just bail out of the first round of the BWC tournament and go home.

    We can’t win the BWC tournament in the current condition they’re in. At this point, I think they should just probably wait until next season and find recruits to replace. If they can find a Stansberry-type player or a good (3 or 4-star) recruit like Bernardo to replace, then this team could (And should) be back in business.

    What’s hard to witness is the amount of dumbfounded calls the refs did to screw us over as losses. Hawaii should have won against Cal Poly and Long Beach, and this is just becoming more and more harder for Ganot to keep going with this. Our scheduling in non-conference should have benefited us to possible contention for conference play, and all of that is going to waste. It’s just hard to watch. Might as well just enjoy watching some other active UH sports while I’m at it.


  10. Aiea 7 February 15, 2020 10:28 pm

    yes, the bigs are the biggest problem. two slow, cannot jump, cannot dominate the low post, cannot score, etc. the other team’s who have 6-9 – 6-10 bigs who are quick and can jump (rebounds and dunks) will dominate UH’s low post players – all three of them. Silva is too inexperienced but should get better maybe next year. this year is done, sad to say.


  11. H-Man February 16, 2020 2:01 am

    I don’t watch the game live, but follow on LiveStats so my perspective of the game is different. Hawaii lost because they can’t make the shots. You know you’re in trouble when your leading scorer is Drew Buggs who lead the scoring with 17. Samuta Avea and Eddie Stansberry shot for a combined 6 for 20. They were awfiul.


  12. Joe bro February 16, 2020 8:05 am

    It’s time to make a change to the starting 5 or at least the 2nd half starting 5. Start Hemsley instead of Carper. The 7 footers are too soft & inconsistent offensively! Need more creative plays to get Stansberry open as teams are catching on.

    Those saying its time to give up are fair weather fans. This conference is wide open! Irvine can be beat & has been beat by weaker teams


  13. cappie the $2000 dog February 16, 2020 10:52 am

    That could work. The other side of the basketball sat their center down and now they’re a different team. But for some reason, in Hawaii’s last win, the coach started the backup center and got her team off too a poor start. The team bounced back when both centers sat.


  14. sackkabooya February 16, 2020 11:18 am

    Hang in there everybody. Looked good early. Looks bad now. They are somewhere in the middle. Wins were close. Losses are close. Could be 1-9 really. Could also be 8-2. Whole Conference is mediocre. Be ready by tournament time. Especially Carper. Can do. Next year will be different.


  15. cappie the $2000 dog February 16, 2020 4:22 pm

    Dawson Carper is the seven-footer with a recognizable skill-set, albeit limited. Rooting for the other seven-footers, but they’re still works-in-progress. You can leave Carper on the court for extended minutes. Carper “has” improved. I hope they all return. I hate it when players leave eligibility on the table. Just work hard and get better. And you’re being charitable calling the Big West “mediocre”. Anybody can win the conference championship, including Hawaii. Da Silva and Avea are coming off injuries. I like Coach Ganot and I’m pulling for him.


  16. THE burro sabio February 17, 2020 10:53 am

    Carper is a great backup center.


  17. turfwar February 17, 2020 12:44 pm

    You guys are kind fans. How many years of “wait till next year” cries will we need to hear before even the most staunchest of fans realize Ganot is a great guy but just not cut out to be a college coach. To coach in college one has to be able to recruit and Ganot his never been able to show this skill set. Even as a assistant coach. He consistently signs kids with no other offers. He can’t even out recruit Big West teams and this is the result. I don’t even blame him anymore. The onus falls on Matlin.


  18. islandman February 17, 2020 3:13 pm

    Yamagen restaurant, next to McCully Bicycle and across the street diagonally from Old Stadium Park,is closing Feb 28


  19. sackkabooya February 18, 2020 12:55 am

    Yes. We do say the same thing every year, But it seems different now. They are such a young group this year. Similar to the 16-17 team (youth wise) but a little bigger, more versatile and much more athletic.

    When you look at the all of the pieces you can see how each individual’s “recognizable” skillset should develop. You can then imagine how it will be applied. This team has a lot of guys that you can recognize as “going be good later”. Some years you don’t have that kind of optimism.

    With the addition of Reily, Bayles, and Madut for next season the feel will be different. This probably should have been considered a “developmental” (rebuilding?) season but for the Big West being so “Junk” and winnable. I have faith that Carper will be “good later” too. Not real hard to see. Even for the very “kind”.


  20. sackkabooya February 18, 2020 1:07 am

    BTW Kobe teppan restaurant will also close Feb 29. I hear Hilton will expand toward that area. Enjoyed drinking there years ago.


  21. NorthShoreFan February 18, 2020 9:03 am

    Kobe …. one of the long time restaurants…..good things don’t last.


  22. ai-eee-soos February 18, 2020 4:44 pm

    Football staff hiring completed.

    Who’s the D Line coach?

    https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2020/2/18/tony-hull-completes-grahams-football-staff.aspx


  23. Whitey February 19, 2020 10:40 am

    The Warriors MBB are struggling and Coach Ganot is getting a lot of flack. Somehow if the Warriors can get back on the winning track, all will be ok. The only question that remains, can the Warriors get back to winning?


  24. DaveLetterMan February 19, 2020 3:56 pm

    Todd Graham – Head Coach
    Victor Santa Cruz – Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator (Outside Linebackers)
    G.J. Kinne – Offensive Coordinator (Quarterbacks)
    Dan Phillips – Special Teams Coordinator (Defensive Line)
    Tony Hull – Co-Offensive Coordinator (Inside Receivers)
    Jacob Yoro – Co-Defensive Coordinator (Linebackers)
    Brandon Graham – Pass Game Coordinator (Running Backs)
    Sam Bennett – Run Game Coordinator (Offensive Line)
    Abe Elimimian – Recruiting Coordinator (Cornerbacks)
    Brennan Marion – Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)
    Laiu Moeakiola – Assistant Coach (Safeties)
    Trent Figg – Chief of Staff
    Kody Cooke – Assistant Head Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Football


  25. SteveM February 19, 2020 4:04 pm

    RE: #22
    ai-eee-soos — looks like Dan Phillips is Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line. I am not too concerned since coach Graham has defense roots and knows each phase.

    In other news, ST announced in Facebook that he will be doing “Tsai’s Matters” podcasts soon.


  26. ai-eee-soos February 19, 2020 4:43 pm

    # 25 and # 24.

    Mahalo.


  27. islandman February 19, 2020 5:40 pm

    A NCAA new rule which may go into effect for 2020-21, will allow players to transfer one time without sitting out a year. For example, it will apply to college football and basketball players.


  28. Akamai Okole February 19, 2020 7:38 pm

    Whoa…

    Wea erryboddy?

    heheheh


  29. NorthShoreFan February 19, 2020 10:07 pm

    Akamai…errybody wen disapea’a…..no mo any kine info on dis page no mo. Get some good pepole who post info…so I visit erry day. Single digit postings now days.


  30. THE burro sabio February 19, 2020 11:08 pm

    Wasn’t me….


  31. BigWave96744 February 20, 2020 10:45 am

    New post if you want to talk football

    https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/football/hawaii-football-todd-graham-sets-titles-for-complete-staff/


  32. NorthShoreFan February 20, 2020 11:47 am

    So….is Brian the “new” UH football connection?


  33. cappie the $2000 dog February 20, 2020 6:10 pm

    Odd shot distribution in the first four minutes, no?


  34. cappie the $2000 dog February 20, 2020 6:26 pm

    This isn’t the first time Webster scored seven consecutive points on the road. Hopefully, this time, Hawaii will win.


  35. cappie the $2000 dog February 20, 2020 6:54 pm

    I know Carper looks bad missing so many easy shots. But Hawaii’s centers of past couldn’t even get into position to miss those easy shots. The shots will fall. He did score 20.


  36. cappie the $2000 dog February 20, 2020 7:02 pm

    Wide-open conference: UC-Davis can’t beat the fourth place team at HOME. Hawaii was playing for a tie on Saturday night; now they’re playing for sole position of first place. Same thing on the men’s side. But when does a shooting slump stops being a shooting slump? Two-guard should drive to the basket and take mid-range jumpers.


  37. cappie the $2000 dog February 20, 2020 8:02 pm

    Carper. Never give up.


  38. cappie the $2000 dog February 20, 2020 8:07 pm

    Saw that shot. It barely went in. Carper hustled and followed up Raimo’s miss. What a relaxing game that was.


  39. islandman February 21, 2020 8:37 am

    Best wishes from TE Kelce to UH Wbb :
    https://twitter.com/HawaiiWBB/status/1230238616036577280?s=20


  40. DaveLetterMan February 21, 2020 10:56 am

    39
    Ursua and Tavai posted best wishes videos also


  41. cappie the $2000 dog February 21, 2020 12:40 pm

    39.

    Is Kelce Marcus Kemp’s spokesperson? I’m so pumped up for tomorrow’s game now. The Chiefs were my favorite team when Alex Smith was the QB. The 49ers was my favorite team for the same reason. The team has come a long way since that terrifyingly inept performance against Texas Southern. They’re going to win.

    Thanks for posting that.


  42. THE burro sabio February 22, 2020 9:00 am

    Ct$2KDog, so you like the Utah guy?! Hmmm…. hahahaha


  43. THE burro sabio February 22, 2020 9:05 am

    A Navy OL passed away. Condolences to his famly and Coach Ken’s team.


  44. cappie the $2000 dog February 22, 2020 12:47 pm

    THE burro sabio: I still have bitter feelings toward Kyle Williams. He fumbled Alex Smith’s chance to march down the field against the Saints and lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl. Williams had already fumbled once. Harbaugh should have installed Gore with the exact order to signal for a fair catch. I realize Smith was something like 1-13 on 3rd downs and was at the helm for the Chiefs when Andrew Luck came back from three possessions down, but, wait….what am I doing; I am making an argument against Smith. Watching Garappalo on that final drive against the Chiefs, could have been Smith in 2011. Garappalo wasn’t going to march down the field; it was going to have to take a fluke 50+-yard touchdown pass, just like Smith, a game-manager. Still, Williams denied Alex Smith at least a chance at immortality.


  45. cappie the $2000 dog February 22, 2020 7:52 pm

    First game all year I can’t hear the head coach and assistant coaches talking during time-outs.


  46. cappie the $2000 dog February 22, 2020 10:05 pm

    Unless Amy Atwell wasn’t 100%, I can’t understand why you would bring her into the game so late, with under a minute in the 3rd.

    Lauren Rewers was having the game of her life. She sat. And sat. And by the time she got back into the game, she lost her confidence and didn’t put up another shot.

    The attendance boost, I think, threw them off their game. Still in second place. They’ll win the next game.


  47. cappie the $2000 dog February 22, 2020 10:05 pm

    THE burro sabio: Rooting for a Dan Snyder-owned team was a bridge too far.


  48. cappie the $2000 dog February 23, 2020 8:46 am

    This is my default position whenever Hawaii loses a conference game late in the season. Our SOS is so low to begin with, it doesn’t matter if Hawaii wins or loses. It’s a shame, though. Hawaii had three clean looks from the three-point line and missed all of them. In all three cases, it would have cut the deficit to two.


Comments are closed.