December 10, 2019
For the UH men’s basketball team, it was a week playing only one game. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like these types of weeks. I’m used to 2 games a week like the Big West play usually is. Every year at this time, this happens, mostly cause it’s finals week coming up. Yet what an opportunity this game was, playing No. 12 Oregon on the road. And what a first half it was, as the ‘Bows were tied with the Ducks at 34.
Fun fact, in both road games this year, against power 5 schools, UH was tied at the half (vs Illinois last month was a tie). Not a fun fact, both of these games ended up being double digit losses. There were more positives though in these games and I think it will help when they face Big West competition.
3 players stood out for me — Steady Eddie Stansberry had a career high seven 3 pointers and 24 points. Dawson Carper had 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Justin Webster shot well, with 12 points.
The Sunday games continue for the next 3 Sundays. I’m not a fan of these games for selfish reasons. I bartend every Sunday at Henri Louis, and I’m tired after 8 hours. But enough about me, we are 1/3 of the way done with the season, here are some observations…
Hawai’i has an excellent back court, maybe the best PG in Drew, and the best 3 point shooter with Steady Eddie. They will do the main focus on offense. Someone else, a big, needs to emerge as a low post presence offensively. I know Zigs can do it, but he needs to be more consistent. Carper had his best game offensively, but he needs to get stronger and aggressive down low. I can see Justin Webster starting to become the player we had heard about and hoped for and he’s just gonna get better. I am a little concerned about his ball handling as the backup point. I’m hopeful that Bernardo da Silva, who has raw talent and size, will come out of the freshman shell.
Next week I’ll preview the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Until then….
Next game: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Samford at the Stan Sheriff Center | 3:30 p.m. HT
