T I PO F F A preview of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational • Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
Three ranked teams — Wisconsin, North Carolina and Oregon — headed to Lahaina Civic Center
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The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
T Volunteers know tough tests await E N N E S S E E By ROBERT COLLIAS Staff Writer
One of just two Tennessee players who have been with the team for two full seasons, Robert Hubbs III knows what the Maui Jim Maui Invitational can mean for the Volunteers. “It can definitely put us in position to do what we’ve got to do this year — we want to be playing in March,â€? said Hubbs, a senior guard who averaged 10.6 points per game last season, when the team went 15-19. Tennessee split its first two games, and three games in three days at the Lahaina Civic Center — starting with Monday’s first-round matchup against Wisconsin, ranked ninth in the nation by The Associated Press — could help the Vols find the confidence that a team with nine newcomers needs. “It’s a big stage and one of the best beginning tournaments of the year,â€? Hubbs said. “So we’re very excited to get out there and get this thing rolling.â€? Tennessee, ranked next-to-last in the Southeastern Conference preseason media poll, is one of two teams in the Valley Isle field that each day could face a opponent currently in the top 25. “I don’t think we have an easy game in Maui,â€? said second-year coach Rick Barnes. “I think every game is going to be a tremendous challenge.â€? Barnes has coached in the Maui Invitational with Providence, in 1991, and Texas, in 2004, 2008 and 2012. “We’ve lost over there twice with two teams similar to this one, young teams that had no experience coming back,â€? Barnes said. “So, from where I’m sitting right now, it’s a tough road for us because we have no experience and nine new players on our roster. ‌ Playing against that level of competition is going
Tennessee Athletics / HAYLEY PENNESI photo
Admiral Schofield made 22 starts for Tennessee last season, averaging 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game
to be really a task for us.� Junior guard Detrick Mostella is the only other player on the roster with two letters. He averaged 8.4 points per game last season off the bench. “It can help us out a lot,� Mostella said of the trip to Maui. “We have a young team and it would be a great experience if we can get a couple wins or even try to win the tournament.� Also back is Admiral Schofield, who
Like No Place on Earth Since 1985
started 22 times last season as a freshman, averaging 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds. Barnes said sophomores Kyle Alexander and Shembari Phillips will be counted on as well. “Those are five guys who have been with us,� Barnes said. “We’ve only been here two years and those are the experienced guys. The other guys we have no idea day-to-day what we’re going to get out of them yet.�
Freshmen are two of the Vols’ top three scorers so far this season — Jordan Bone has totaled a team-best 28 points, one more than Hubbs and Lamonte Turner. “We like our guys a lot and we’re not going to use youth as an excuse,� Barnes said. “We’ve never done that, but these guys, believe me, it is a whole new experience for them.� ■Robert Collias is at rcollias@ mauinews.com
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TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
3
W Badgers have roster full of experience I S C O N S I N By ROBERT COLLIAS Staff Writer
Wisconsin doesn’t exactly fit the norm for big-time college basketball. The Badgers are simply too experienced for that. They have four seniors, all of whom start, two fourth-year juniors and a trio of redshirt sophomores. The 17-player roster includes just three true freshmen. The returning players are a tested bunch, having gone through a midseason coaching change last year — Greg Gard took over in December when Bo Ryan unexpectedly retired. The team went 15-8 under Gard, reaching the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16 and finishing with a 22-13 mark overall. “It’s huge from a standpoint not only of four seniors who are in the starting lineup, but how they had to go about doing it,” Gard said. “They had to help dig this team out of a hole and mature.” The Badgers, who are No. 9 in The Associated Press poll and could remain in the rankings despite Tuesday’s loss to No. 22 Creighton, are led by Nigel Hayes, a 6-foot-8 senior forward who was named the Big Ten’s preseason player of the year after making the all-conference first team last season, when he averaged 15.7 points and 3.0 assists per game, both team bests, along with 5.8 rebounds. Bronson Koenig was a third-team all-conference pick last season as a junior, when he averaged 13.1 points. Vitto Brown increased his scoring output from 1.8 points per game as a sophomore to 9.7 last season, and Zak Showalter, a fifth-year senior and former walk-on, averaged 7.5 points. The other starter is Ethan Happ, a 6-10 redshirt sophomore who was
ON THE COVER …
Among the possible high scorers on Maui this week are (from left) Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig, North Carolina’s Joel Berry II and Oregon’s Tyler Dorsey. University of Wisconsin / STEVE GOTTER photo (Koenig); University of North Carolina photo (Berry); AP photo
last season’s Big Ten freshman of the year after averaging 12.4 points and a team-best 7.9 rebounds. Four other players — junior Jordan Hill and sophomores Khalil Iverson, Alex Illikainen and Charles Thomas IV — averaged more than nine minutes per game last season. Gard, who won the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award, seems ready to rely on his veteran team, which will play Tennessee on Monday at the Lahaina Civic Center in the opening game of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. “I’m growing every day,” Showalter said. “Coach Gard is challenging University of Wisconsin / DAVID STLUKA photo us to really take control and take the Nigel Hayes of Wisconsin was named the Big Ten’s preseason player of the year reins. He’s always saying, ‘The best after leading the team in points (15.7) and assists (3.0) per game last season. teams are the player-led teams.’ ” Wisconsin opened its season with a win over Central Arkansas and faced Chicago State on Thursday. “The Big Ten schedule is tough, but you don’t go back-to-back-toback,” said Showalter, who has been part of teams that have traveled to Cancun, the Bahamas, Las Vegas and New York for early-season events. “It’s something different and you’re playing against some of the best athletes in the country.” ■ Robert Collias is at rcollias@ mauinews.com
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The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
O Ducks may be short-handed next week By BRAD SHERMAN Sports Editor
R E G O N
Short-handed or not, Oregon should present some challenges to its Maui Jim Maui Invitational opponents on each end of the floor. The Ducks, ranked fourth in The Associated Press poll (though likely to fall after Tuesday’s loss to Baylor), might not have Dillon Brooks available — the preseason All-American is recovering from a foot injury suffered over the summer — but coach Dana Altman can still put a potent lineup on the floor. “We’re trying to mix the returners that we have with some new guys who we think are going to be a big part of our team,” said Altman, whose team reached the Elite Brooks Eight of last season’s NCAA tournament after winning the Pac-12 title, finishing with a 31-7 record, and then topped this year’s preseason conference media rankings. If Brooks is sidelined for Monday’s first-round game against Georgetown at the Lahaina Civic Center, the most decorated player available for Oregon will be Chris Boucher. The 6-foot-10 senior forward averaged 12.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season, and led the Pac-12 in blocks with 110. He was an allconference honorable mention and made the Pac-12 all-defense first team in his first season in Division I after earning national junior college player of the year recognition at Northwest (Wyo.) College. “He had a great junior year for us,” Altman said. “We would hope that he would continue to progress as a player.
University of Oregon / ERIC EVANS photo
Chris Boucher averaged 12.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for Oregon last season, and led the Pac-12 in blocks with 110.
He’s worked hard on his ballhandling, his passing, to try to be a little bit better there. Chris plays awfully hard for us.” Also back is 6-9 junior forward Jor-
dan Bell, who set the school record for career blocked shots last season in just his 50th game. He had 10 blocks in the first two games of this season, giving
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him 157 — Oregon faced Valparaiso on Thursday. Bell averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. Dylan Ennis, who missed all but two games last season with a foot injury of his own and is now playing as a graduate student, averaged 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds for Villanova during the 2014-15 season. “It’s great to have him back,” Altman said of Ennis, who began his collegiate career at Rice. “I think that he’ll give us a big boost.” Tyler Dorsey made the all-conference freshman team last season after averaging 13.4 points — he shot a team-best 40.6 percent (67-for-165) from 3-point range — to go with 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Dorsey was the team’s top scorer in its first two games this season, totaling 30 points. Casey Benson started every game last season and had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.88-to-1. He averaged 19.6 minutes per game, but could be counted on more this season — the junior totaled seven assists in the first two games. Brooks averaged 16.7 points and 5.4 rebounds last season, becoming the first player in school history to reach 1,000 career points as a sophomore. He underwent surgery on his foot in July. The team has not set a timetable for Brooks’ return — “He wants to get back, but he’s going to do exactly what the doctors tell him to,” Altman said — though the expectations are high regardless. “It’s something our players have to get used to,” Altman said. “They have to realize that people are going to come after them a little harder than usual. … It’s a tough schedule early here. We’re just going to have to fight through it.” ■ Brad Sherman is at sports@ mauinews.com
The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
5
G Hoyas expecting to see improvement E O R G E T O W N By BRAD SHERMAN Sports Editor
A look at the roster — and a listen to the coach — make clear that Georgetown is anticipating some changes from last season. “We are, and you’ve heard me say this once or twice before, a much different team, dramatically different between this year and last,” coach John Thompson III said Saturday on the team website after a season-opening win over South Carolina-Upstate. “In terms of our athleticism and depth. If we can stay injury-free this will be a much different look and feel.” The Hoyas went 15-18 last season, their first losing campaign since Thompson took over in 2004. Among the returnees are juniors Isaac Copeland, who averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, and L.J. Peak, who averaged 12.3 points. Rodney Pryor, a transfer from Robert Morris, scored 32 points against USC-Upstate and added another 14 in Tuesday’s loss to Maryland, going 9-for-14 from 3-point range in those games. “My team needs me to be aggressive on the offensive end, just look at the basket and seeing if I have a good look,” Pryor said. “If not, then get other people the ball.” The Hoyas played Arkansas State on Thursday, and then will face Oregon on Monday at the Lahaina Civic Center in the opening round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Georgetown might put 7-foot center Bradley Hayes on the floor for its final two games on Maui. Hayes had to miss the first four games of the sea-
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY photo
L.J. Peak is one of two returning players for Georgetown who averaged double figures in points last season
son in exchange for an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, allowing him to play as a graduate student. Hayes, who averaged 8.7 points last season, could add a wrinkle to the Hoyas’ defensive pressure. “I think we have to be significantly better in the half-court, after they get across,” Thompson said Saturday. “We weren’t a solid as we need to be there and make their life more difficult there but overall it was effective.” ■ Brad Sherman is at sports@ mauinews.com
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TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW OREGON DUCKS
WISCONSIN BADGERS No. 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 15 20 21 22 24 25 30 31 33
Name Ht. D’Mitrik Trice 6-0 Brevin Pritzl 6-3 Aleem Ford 6-8 Zak Showalter 6-3 Matt Ferris 6-6 Aaron Moesch 6-8 Nigel Hayes 6-8 Jordan Hill 6-4 CharlesThomasIV 6-8 T.J. Schlundt 6-5 Khalil Iverson 6-5 Ethan Happ 6-10 Bronson Koenig 6-3 Alex Illikainen 6-9 Vitto Brown 6-8 Michael Ballard 6-4 Andy Van Vliet 7-0 Coach—Greg Gard
Pos. G G F G G F F G F G G-F F G F F G F
Yr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. So. So. So. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. So.
No. 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 13 24 25 31 35 41
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
CHAMINADE SILVERSWORDS
Name Ht. Jordan Bell 6-9 Casey Benson 6-3 Payton Pritchard 6-2 M.J. Cage 6-10 Tyler Dorsey 6-4 Charlie Noebel 6-2 Keith Smith 6-7 Paul White 6-9 Dillon Brooks 6-7 Chris Boucher 6-10 Dylan Ennis 6-2 Kavell Bigby-Williams 6-11 Roman Sorkin 6-10 Coach—Dana Altman
Pos. Yr. F Jr. G Jr. G Fr. F Fr. G So. G Sr. F Fr. F Jr. F Jr. F Sr. G Gr. F Jr. F Jr.
No. 0 1 2 3 10 11 13 14 15 20 21 32 33 45
Name Ht. Austin Pope 6-6 Dantley Walker 5-10 Kahanu Pu‘ulei-Auld 5-11 Sam Daly 6-4 Michael Sakazaki 6-5 Justin Bridges 6-4 Tyler Cartaino 6-6 Kaleb Gilmore 6-0 Kuany Kuany 6-7 Masa Swain 6-3 Rohndell Goodwin 6-5 Matt Southard 6-9 Kiran Shastri 6-7 Nate Pollard 7-1 Coach—Eric Bovaird
Pos. Yr. G Jr. G Jr. G Jr. G Sr. F Sr. G Jr. G-F So. G Fr. G Sr. G Fr. G Sr. F-C Jr. G Sr. C Jr.
No. 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 15 21 23 24 25 32
Name Ht. Jordan Bone 6-1 Lamonte Turner 6-0 Grant Williams 6-5 Robert Hubbs III 6-5 Jacob Fleschman 6-1 Admiral Schofield 6-4 John Fulkerson 6-7 Kyle Alexander 6-10 Kwe Parker 6-0 Jalen Johnson 6-5 Detrick Mostella 6-1 Lew Evans 6-7 Jordan Bowden 6-3 Lucas Campbell 6-2 Shembari Phillips 6-3 Brad Woodson 6-0 Coach—Rick Barnes
Pos. G G F G G F F F G G G F G G G G
Yr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. So. So. So.
and
R O S T E R S
GEORGETOWN HOYAS
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS No. 0 1 4 5 12 13 14 21 23 24 30 32 33 34 41
Name Ht. Pos. Brandon Averette 5-11 G Jawun Evans 6-1 G Thomas Dziagwa 6-4 G Tavarius Shine 6-6 G-F Cameron McGriff 6-7 F Phil Forte III 5-11 G Lucas N’Guessan 7-0 F-C Lindy Waters III 6-6 G Leyton Hammonds 6-8 F Davon Dillard 6-5 G-F Jeffrey Carroll 6-6 G-F Tyler Underwood 6-2 G Trey Reeves 6-4 F Will Lienhard 6-7 F Mitchell Solomon 6-9 F Coach—Brad Underwood
Yr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr.
No. 0 1 2 4 5 10 11 15 20 22 23 24 32 33 42
Name Ht. Pos. L.J. Peak 6-5 G Tre Campbell 6-2 G Jonathan Mulmore 6-4 G Jagan Mosely 6-3 G Reggie Cameron II 6-7 F Ra’Mond Hines 6-4 G Isaac Copeland 6-9 F Jessie Govan 6-10 C George Muresan 6-9 F Akoy Agau 6-8 F Rodney Pryor 6-5 G Marcus Derrickson 6-7 F Kaleb Johnson 6-6 G-F Trey Mourning 6-9 F Bradley Hayes 7-0 C Coach—John Thompson III
Yr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Gr. So. So. Jr. Gr.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES No. 1 2 3 5 12 13 15 21 22 23 24 31 33 35
Name Ht. Christian Vital 6-2 Jalen Adams 6-3 Alterique Gilbert 6-0 Vance Jackson 6-8 Kentan Facey 6-10 Steven Enoch 6-11 Rodney Purvis 6-4 Mamadou Diarra 6-8 Terry Larrier 6-8 Juwan Durham 6-11 Christian Foxen 6-8 Michael Noyes 6-0 Restinel Lomotey 6-3 Amida Brimah 7-0 Coach—Kevin Ollie
Pos. G G G F F F G F G-F F F G G C
Yr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.
No. 0 1 2 3 4 5 11 13 14 21 24 25 30 32 44
Name Ht. Nate Britt 6-1 Theo Pinson 6-6 Joel Berry II 6-0 Kennedy Meeks 6-10 Isaiah Hicks 6-9 Tony Bradley 6-11 Shea Rush 6-6 Kanler Coker 6-4 Brandon Robinson 6-5 Seventh Woods 6-2 Kenny Williams 6-4 Aaron Rohlman 6-6 Stilman White 6-1 Luke Maye 6-8 Justin Jackson 6-8 Coach—Roy Williams
Pos. Yr. G Sr. G-F Jr. G Jr. F Sr. F Sr. F Fr. F Fr. G Sr. G Fr. G Fr. G So. F Jr. G Sr. F So. G-F Jr.
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H I S T O R Y
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS 2015—Frank Mason III and Wayne Selden Jr., 1999—Joseph Forte, North Carolina Kansas 1998—Jason Hart, Syracuse 2014—Stanley Johnson, Arizona 1997—Steve Wojciechowski, Duke 2013—C.J. Fair, Syracuse 1996—Raef LaFrentz, Kansas 2012—Brandon Paul, Illinois 1995—Kerry Kittles, Villanova 2011—Ryan Kelly, Duke 1994—Mario Bennett, Arizona St. 2010—Kemba Walker, Connecticut 1993—Travis Ford, Kentucky 2009—MattBouldinandStevenGray,Gonzaga 1992—Anfernee Hardaway, Memphis St., and 2008—Ty Lawson, North Carolina Bobby Hurley, Duke 2007—Kyle Singler, Duke 1991—George Gilmore, Chaminade 2006—Darren Collison, UCLA 1990—Billy Owens, Syracuse 2005—Adam Morrison, Gonzaga 1989—Doug Smith, Missouri 2004—Raymond Felton, North Carolina 1988—Glenn Rice, Michigan 2003—Keith Waleskowski, Dayton 1987—Iowa team 2002—Bracey Wright, Indiana 1986—Will Perdue, Vanderbilt 2001—Mike Dunleavy, Duke 1985—Dell Curry, Virginia Tech 2000—Michael Wright, Arizona 1984—Patrick Langlois, Chaminade
The Maui News MATTHEW THAYER photo
Kemba Walker helped Connecticut win its second Maui title in 2010.
CHAMPIONS 2015—Kansas 1999—NorthCarolina 2014—Arizona 1998—Syracuse 2013—Syracuse 1997—Duke 2012—Illinois 1996—Kansas 2011—Duke 1995—Villanova 2010—Connecticut 1994—Arizona St. 2009—Gonzaga 1993—Kentucky 2008—NorthCarolina 1992—Duke 2007—Duke 1991—Michigan St. 2006—UCLA 1990—Syracuse 2005—Connecticut 1989—Missouri 2004—North Carolina 1988—Michigan 2003—Dayton 1987—Iowa 2002—Indiana 1986—Vanderbilt 2001—Duke 1985—Michigan 2000—Arizona 1984—Providence
RECORDS Maui games only Individual Points—43, Adam Morrison, Gonzaga, vs. Michigan St., 2005. Rebounds—21, Derrick Randall, Pittsburgh, vs. Chaminade, 2014. Assists—15, Brandon Granville, Southern California, vs. Memphis, 1999. Steals—10, Jeff Trepagnier, Southern California, vs. Utah St., 1999. Blocks—7, Ray Gromlowicz, UNC-Charlotte, vs. Chaminade, 1986; Dan Godfread, Evansville, vs. Missouri, 1989; Arne Alig, Chaminade, vs. Providence, 1991; Jelani McCoy, UCLA, vs. Santa Clara, 1995; Earl Barron, Memphis, vs. Chaminade, 1999; Lonny Baxter, Maryland, vs. Dayton, 2000; Tommy Smith, Arizona St., vs. Utah, 2002; Zach Finley, Princeton, vs. Duke, 2007. Field goals—16, Dell Curry, Virginia Tech, vs. Michigan, 1985; Everick Sullivan, Louisville, vs. Chaminade, 1989. Free throws made—21, Kaspars Kambala, UNLV, vs. Louisville, 2000. 3-pointers—10, Kyle McAlarney, Notre Dame,
vs. North Carolina, 2008; Christophe Varidel, Chaminade, vs. Baylor, 2013; Chase Fischer, BYU, vs. Chaminade, 2014. Turnovers—13, Maurice Houston, Tennessee Tech, vs. Texas, 1993. Team Most points—162, Loyola Marymount, vs. Chaminade, 1990. Fewest points—37, Arizona St., vs. Minnesota, 1991. Rebounds—70, Northeastern, vs. Loyola Marymount, 1990. Assists—37, Northeastern, vs. Loyola Marymount, 1990. Steals—20, Oklahoma, vs. BYU, 1992. Blocks—13, Maryland, vs. Dayton, 2000. Field goals—57, Northeastern, vs. Loyola Marymount, 1990. Free throws made—36, Iowa, vs. Kansas, 1987. 3-pointers—19, Loyola Marymount, vs. Chaminade, 1990. Turnovers—32, Northeastern, vs. Loyola Marymount, 1990; Santa Clara, vs. Loyola Marymount, 1990.
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
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WIN-LOSS TOTALS Maui games only 2016 participants in bold Duke 15-0 1.000 9-0 1.000 Syracuse 8-1 .889 Connecticut 15-3 .833 North Carolina 7-2 .778 Dayton 9-3 .750 Illinois 10-4 .714 Michigan 12-6 .667 Arizona 12-6 .600 Kansas 10-5 .667 Kentucky 10-5 .667 Vanderbilt 8-4 .667 Gonzaga 8-4 .667 Michigan St. 6-3 .667 Iowa Ohio St. 6-3 .667 Purdue 6-3 .667 Marquette 4-2 .667 Alabama 2-1 .667 Ball St. 2-1 .667 Butler 2-1 .667 2-1 .667 Charlotte 2-1 .667 Cincinnati 2-1 .667 Clemson Florida 2-1 .667 GeorgeWashington 2-1 .667 2-1 .667 Georgia Tech Hawaii 2-1 .667 James Madison 2-1 .667 New Mexico 2-1 .667 Pittsburgh 2-1 .667 Rice 2-1 .667 Toledo 2-1 .667 Tulane 2-1 .667 Utah St. 2-1 .667 Wake Forest 2-1 .667 Wichita St. 2-1 .667 Arizona St. 9-6 .600 Providence 3-2 .600 Missouri 7-5 .583 Texas 7-5 .583 Villanova 7-5 .583 Indiana 10-8 .555 Louisville 5-4 .555 San Diego St. 5-4 .555
The Maui News file photo
North Carolina players huddle up during a 1999 game. Santa Clara UNLV Virginia UCLA Maryland Baylor California Minnesota Georgetown Notre Dame South Carolina Wisconsin Virginia Tech Memphis Arkansas BYU Utah Oklahoma Kansas St. DePaul LSU Stanford Boston College Massachusetts Southern Cal
5-4 5-4 6-5 8-7 6-6 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 1-1 7-8 4-5 4-5 4-5 5-7 3-5 4-8 3-6 3-6 2-4 2-4 2-4
.555 .555 .545 .533 .500 .500 .500 .500 .333 .500 .500 .500 .500 .467 .444 .444 .444 .417 .375 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333
Tennessee 2-4 1-2 Arkansas St. 1-2 Colorado Evansville 1-2 1-2 Houston 1-2 Iowa St. 1-2 Long Beach St. Loyola Marymount 1-2 Nebraska 1-2 1-2 Northeastern Oklahoma St. 1-2 Oregon 1-2 Seton Hall 1-2 St. John’s 1-2 St. Joseph’s 1-2 Tennessee Tech 1-2 Texas A&M 1-2 VCU 1-2 Washington 1-2 Chaminade 7-87 Davidson 0-2 Central Michigan 0-3 Lamar 0-3 Mississippi St. 0-3 Princeton 0-3
.333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .333 .074 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000
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The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
O Cowboys might be getting overlooked K L A H O M A By BRAD SHERMAN Sports Editor
S T A T E
If looking for a sleeper team at this year’s Maui Jim Maui Invitational, a wise pick might be Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have a new coach, Brad Underwood, were predicted to finish seventh in the Big 12 by conference coaches and have not received a vote in The Associated Press poll. There’s not a lot of size on the roster, but there is plenty of returning talent — even if time on the court together has been limited. “That’s something we try not to pay too much attention to,” senior Phil Forte III said of the predictions made by others. “Obviously, what we were picked preseason in Forte conference, that’s obviously something to motivate us, but we’ve just got to try to get better every day in practice and each game moving forward, and everything else will kind of take care of itself. The wins and losses will take care of themselves as well.” The Cowboys went 12-20 last season, and had Forte for only the first three games before he suffered an elbow injury. Forte, who said he is now “100 percent,” averaged 15.0 points per game as a junior. “To be able to step on the court and put that jersey on again is just something you really appreciate,” Forte said. “Sometimes you kind of take those little things for granted, but just being able to be on the court and be with my teammates is the best feeling in the world.” Forte is joined in the starting backcourt by Jawun Evans, named the Big 12’s freshman of the year last season despite
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just five games — including back-toback wins to open this season — entering Wednesday’s meeting with New Orleans. “It’s been a challenge, but I know everything’s going to work out how it’s supposed to be,” said Evans, whose team will square off with Connecticut on Monday in a first-round Maui Invitational game at the Lahaina Civic Center. Also returning is senior Leyton Hammonds, who averaged 10.6 points and a team-high 5.1 rebounds last season, and junior Jeffrey Carroll, who totaled 42 points and 20 rebounds in the first two games of this season. Hammonds was 39-of-144 (34.2 percent) on 3-pointers last season, and Evans was 19-for-40 (47.5 percent). Forte has gone 250-for-647 (38.6 percent) in his career through Monday — he would need to make 50 more shots from behind the arc to break the school record set by Keiton Page from 2008 to 2012. The tallest returnee is Mitchell Solomon — the 6-foot-9 junior is willing to shoot from outside as well, as shown by his 19 attempts from 3-point range last season. This season’s roster also includes 7-foot freshman Lucas N’Guessan. Other freshmen who could contribute are Cameron McGriff, who totaled 18 rebounds in the first two games, and Lindy Waters III, who has averaged 6.5 points. “At times, we’re going to put five guys who are all capable of shooting it, and handling it, and driving it. That’s OK,” said Underwood, who guided Stephen F. Austin to the NCAA tournament each of the three years he coached the Oklahoma State University / BRUCE WATERFIELD photo Lumberjacks before taking over the CowJawun Evans averaged 4.9 assists per game last season, an Oklahoma boys. “I hope some of the challenges that State record for a freshman, and 12.9 points. we could possibly have defensively, other missing nine games because of a shoul- a freshman, with 4.9 per game, while al- teams have when they try to guard us.” so averaging 12.9 points. der injury. ■ Brad Sherman is at sports@ Evans and Forte had played together in mauinews.com Evans set a school record for assists by
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The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
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C Huskies aim to recover from slow start O N N E C T I Ed’s Union 76 Service C U T By ROBERT COLLIAS Staff Writer
Terry Larrier knows exactly what the Maui Jim Maui Invitational can mean for Connecticut. In 2010, as a 9th grader, he watched Kemba Walker lead the Huskies to a title at the Lahaina Civic Center — and later that season, an NCAA championship. “Kemba was out there doing his thing and we won that tournament, so that one probably sticks out the most,” said Larrier, a redshirt sophomore. As was the case six years ago, the Huskies will arrive on the Valley Isle unranked. They began this season, Kevin Ollie’s fifth as coach, as the No. 18 team in The Associated Press poll, but opened with losses to Wagner and Northeastern. UConn played Loyola Marymount on Thursday. “Everybody believes it, as long as we go out there and compete and play to our best level,” Larrier said before the rough start. “Hopefully history can repeat itself.” Larrier totaled 36 points in his first two games with UConn — he sat out last season after transferring from Virginia Commonwealth, where he averaged 6.6 points as a freshman. Another newcomer, freshman Alterique Gilbert, has made some immediate contributions as well, averaging 10.5 points going into Thursday. The American Athletic Conference Preseason Rookie of the Year was a McDonald’s All-American in high school. The Huskies will face Oklahoma State on Monday in a first-round Maui game. “I’m sure the atmosphere will be intense and be hectic, but as long as
we stay together and play for one another we’ll be fine,” Larrier said. Among the returnees is fifth-year senior guard Rodney Purvis, who averaged 12.8 points last season, when UConn went 25-11 and reached the NCAA tournament’s round of 32. “Every single year I watched the Maui Invitational,” Purvis said. “Man, it just looks so fun out there each and every year I have watched it. I’ve been a fan of the teams that have been in it, so it’s been great and I always just wanted the opportunity to just play in it. It’s like a dream come true for me to have an opportunity to play in that tournament. I haven’t missed it, not one year.” Sophomore guard Jalen Adams is also back after averaging 7.3 points and 2.4 assists last season. Senior center Amida Brimah averaged 6.5 points, and through Thursday had 289 career blocks, third in school history. “Amida Brimah is the best defensive player in the country, Jalen is the best guard in the country, Alterique is the best point guard in the country, Terry is one of the best wings in the University of Connecticut / STEPHEN SLADE photo country, if not the best wing in the Rodney Purvis averaged 12.8 points per game for Connecticut last season country,” Purvis said. “So, I’m not being biased. We’re just trying to bring it every day, win every day.” Even with that kind of confidence in his teammates, Purvis also said: “We’re just trying to win each and every day at practice and every film Tires • Oil Change session. We’re just trying to get better and better. A national championship run is a long way off. We’re just trying to be the best University of Connecticut we can be each and every day — we’ve just got to go from there.” Doug & Candace Sugidono ■ Robert Collias is at rcollias@ 243 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI • Phone: (808) 661-3055 mauinews.com
Join us for open-air patio dining! Beautiful ocean views and gorgeous sunsets. Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. 45 Kai Ala Drive, Lahaina, HI • (808) 661-9091 castawaycafe.com
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The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
N Heels coming off NCAA runner-up finish O R T H By ROBERT COLLIAS Staff Writer
C A R O L I N A
North Carolina coach Roy Williams knows the value of Valley Isle victories. In 2008, the Tar Heels won the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, and claimed an NCAA championship 4 1/2 months later. North Carolina also took the title at the Lahaina Civic Center in 2004 on the way to the 2005 national crown. “Both those teams got off to great starts playing in Maui, feeling good about ourselves, and continued playing that way throughout the whole year,” said Williams, whose team will face Chaminade on Monday in the first round. “I think it’s extremely valuable. You have several areas: Playing three days in a row, very good competition, so it’s telling you a whole lot about your team. I think the experience of the travel and being there together is very good for the chemistry of your team.” There’s good reason to expect big things — next week and beyond — from the Tar Heels, who are ranked fifth in The Associated Press poll and have three starters who return from a team that lost to Villanova in the NCAA title game to finish 35-5. “I think this team has what it takes to get back to that point,” said junior Joel Berry II, who was named Atlantic Coast Conference tournament MVP and earned All-Final Four honors last season, when he averaged 12.8 points and a team-best 3.8 assists per game. Kennedy Meeks, a 6-foot-10 senior forward, averaged 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds last season, when he missed seven games due to injury. Meeks, like Berry, considered the NBA draft before deciding to return to Chapel Hill. The third returning starter is Justin Jackson, who averaged 12.2 points and 2.8 assists as a sophomore last season.
University of North Carolina / JEFFREY A. CAMARATI photo
Kennedy Meeks, one of North Carolina’s three returning starters, averaged 9.2 points per game last season Berry has averaged 21.3 points in helping North Carolina open this season with a 3-0 record going into today’s game against the University of Hawaii. Isaiah Hicks, a 6-9 senior, was the ACC’s Sixth Man of the Year last season. The freshman class includes Tony Bradley, who was a McDonald’s AllAmerican, and Seventh Woods, a Max-
Preps All-American. “I think this group of guys is definitely ready for the challenge,” Meeks said. “Coach has definitely challenged us over these past couple weeks at practice and I think that we’ll be very prepared.” North Carolina has a 15-3 record on Maui, and shares the record for tournament wins with Duke.
“As a college basketball fan you tend to watch that tournament every year,” Meeks said. “It’s something that as a basketball player, you want to be a part of. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your talent. What better place to be than in Maui?” ■ Robert Collias is at rcollias@ mauinews.com
K a‘an apali B each C lub
T han ksgivin g B uffet Join us us at at the the Ka‘anapali Ka‘anapali Beach Beach Club Club Join Wednesdays at at Sunset Sunset Wednesdays Full Hawaiian Hawaiian Luau Luau Buffet Buffet and and Desserts Desserts Full Open Bar/Crafters/Photos Bar/Crafters/Photos Open Full Stage Stage Show Show and and Full Fire Knife Knife Dance Dance Finale Finale Fire
A w ide variety of S alads, S eafoods an d T han ksgivin g specialties. V egetarian frien dly choices an d aw esom e fresh baked dessert station . $37.50 Adults / $16.50 Keiki • 4 pm – 8 pm Seating For reservations or a copy of the menu, please call (808) 667-1333 104 Ka‘anapali Shores Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761
The Maui News
TIPOFF • MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
11
C Silverswords turn attention to defense H A M I N A Parasail in Paradise D E By STEFANIE NAKASONE Staff Writer
The Silverswords know they can score. They also know, firsthand, that it takes more than that to win games. Coming off a disappointing 12-15 campaign during which it allowed opponents to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field, Chaminade enters this season with a new focus. “We are going to put much more emphasis on defense, and we have started the year in practice that way,” Silverswords coach Eric Bovaird said. “We’re going to be a better defensive team this year for sure.” Chaminade averaged 92.3 points per game last season, ranking fifth nationally in Division II. However, the Silverswords also finished 298th out of 300 teams in scoring defense, allowing an average of 90.8 points. In their 12 losses to D-II opponents, eight were by five points or fewer, including three in overtime. “I feel like our offense will always be there — we have great scorers on the team, we have a lot of people who can put the ball in the hoop — but to be focused on our defense will make us that much better as a team,” said Kiran Shastri, Chaminade’s career leader in 3-pointers with 244. “It will help us in the close losses that we had last year.” While it’s still early, Chaminade appears to be moving in the right direction. The Silverswords started their season with decisive home victories, 92-81 over Alaska-Anchorage, ranked 12th in the D-II coaches poll, and 80-66 over Alaska-Fairbanks. The Silverswords return four starters from last season, all senior guards who were among the team’s
top five scorers — preseason Pacific West Conference selection Kuany Kuany (16.5 points per game), Rohndell Goodwin (16.0), Shastri (13.1) and Sam Daly (11.1). “They want to go out with a bang,” Bovaird said. “I’m expecting big things from that core group.” Key additions include junior transfers Austin Pope, a 6-foot-6 guard from North Idaho College, and Nate Pollard, a 7-foot-1 center from Rice. The Silverswords last made the NCAA postseason in 2014, when Kuany and Shastri were freshmen on a team that won the PacWest title. “What I realize from that team was that everybody was closer,” Kuany said. “We were more of a team. That’s what we need to do this year.” He and Shastri have no doubt that this group has the potential to do just that, with the Maui Jim Maui Invitational being an important step toward that goal. “This is the only trip that Chaminade takes the whole team on,” Kuany said. “It’s a good way for our team to The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo bond together and to come together before the (conference) season starts.” Chaminade’s Kuany Kuany was a preseason Pacific West Conference selection The tournament hosts face North after averaging 16.5 points per game last season. Carolina, No. 5 in The Associated Press poll and last season’s NCAA Division I national runner-up, in the first round Monday at the Lahaina Civic Center. • Take-off & land directly from the boat “We have the toughest schedule in • Fly Single or Tandem with a friend Division II basketball, with three TWO LOCATIONS games in the Maui Invitational, and • On the beach at Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel then we always play a tough nonconference schedule, but it’s exciting,” • Lahaina Harbor, Slip #15 Bovaird said. “We would rather play very competitive teams than guaranteed wins, that’s for sure.” ■ Stefanie Nakasone is at snakasone @mauinews.com
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The Mark and Debi Rolfing Charitable Foundation Honoring our Maui Keiki and Angel Babies Congratulates the participants of the 2016 Maui Jim Maui Invitational