Hawaii Recap

Final 65-64 Hawaii.

Always sucks when you miss free throws in the last minute that can win you a ball game. Especially when your best player is the one at the line. Especially when he’s a plus 75% free throw shooter. Damn.

Thoughts on the island trip.

Starters
Rolle
Cooper
Guyton
Gibson
Loe

*At the first media timeout the score was 15-4 Hawaii. Hawaii was seven for eight from the field. Six of those buckets were from within five feet of the hoop. They were getting to the rim at will. The Bulldogs looked tired. They already had five turnovers. They looked like a team on an extremely long road trip.

*Hawaii stretched that lead out to 13 at one point in the first half (24-11). Then the Bulldogs finished the half on a 24-13 run to pull within two. How? Hawaii finally cooled off and the Bulldogs only had 3 turnovers in the last 16 minutes of the half.

*Hawaii pushed the lead out to seven in the second half but all you can ask of your team on the end of a long road trip is to be in a one possession game (down one) at the last media timeout.

*Bench scoring (talking about it before the starters – you know it was big). Tech 19. Hawaii 3.

*Hawaii decided to make life tough on Kenneth Cooper. Early on they limited his touches. They blocked 4of his shots. Big man came out aggressive in the second half taking four shots in the first four minutes of the second half.  33 seconds left hit big free throw to make it two possession game. Numbers – 14 points, 7 rebs.

*Bad night shooting again for Magnum Rolle. Well until late.  Big block with 6 minutes left after questionable call on a Hawaii turnover that gave the ball back to the Rainbows.  Big 15 footer to take first lead. Then a 16 footer on the next possession.  Numbers – 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks.

*Instant offense from David Jackson. In a two minute span late in the first half Jackson knocked down two triples and added a free throw.  Added another bucket late on the final run. Numbers – 11 points in 25 minutes.

*Gibson will want to forget this one. 3 for 12 shooting. 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 big free throw misses. And I know Cooper also missed a free throw in the final minute but Gibson has come through so many times in these clutch situations (call it a Jordan effect) you just expect him to come through. I do expect him to take some frustration out at home Thursday.

*From now on every comment on Jamel Guyton will start with the following:
Guyton temperature gauge:  {insert appropriate hot, cold, or the never seen lukewarm}. Tonight: Cold
Numbers – 3/10 FG, 1 for 5 from deep, 7 points, 4 rebs.

* Loe played well again. Six points, 2 assists, 0 turnovers in 15 minutes. However Rupp decided to use Gibson at the point the final 12 minutes of the game.

*Ashalou provided a spark off the bench coming in for Rolle early at the four. Two nice reverse layups and a driving pull up on the baseline for 3/3 and six points.

 
*Congratulations Bulldogs. You take the longest road trip of the year and split it and should have come home with two wins. Now you get to host the WAC’s best team in a one loss Utah State squad. Want to really put the WAC on it’s head – win the next three at home.

 * Damn. I need a drink.