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Gary’s Hoops Scoops: 11.19.19

Since my last blog, the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team has gone 1-1. Last Friday, the Bows beat Portland State, 83-75. I was in Las Vegas covering the UH-UNLV football game, so I missed it. That did bother me. For me, missing a UH basketball home game rarely happens.

I saw that Eddie Stansberry continued his hot start with another career high: 28 points. Eddie was 6 for 7 on 3s and 8 for 15 overall. He also made all 6 of his free throws. Stansberry also put up 26 points earlier in the week against Pacific. So it was no surprise that Stansberry was named Big West Player of the Week. I see that we’re getting the Stansberry that I saw the first time I saw him play, and he could be the best three-point shooter in the Big West. Drew Buggs, Samuta Avea and Zigmars Raimo also scored in double figures in the win.

There was big difference in opponent quality yesterday as the Bows, after a 19-hour trip to Illinois, lost in a valiant effort, 66-53. (Nineteen hours to get to Illinois? They must have taken the scenic route.) Illinois took five minutes before they made their first basket, and the game was tied at the half, 26-26. It was still close until the final minutes, but Illinois’ size and strength were too much.

I was proud of Hawaii’s effort. I like that Dawson Carper fought and took the ball from the 7-foot center from Illinois. That’s twice he’s done that in the last few games. UH needs that little bit of nastiness from him. It was good to see freshman guard Justin Webster play his first two games of the season. He adds depth and another ball handler; he’s good shooter as well. Webster’s presence in the rotation probably means that we will see less of Kameron Ng, who looks to be the team’s third point guard now. I know that disappoints the local fans. I know he can contribute, and he’ll learn a lot this year, but he probably won’t play as much as he did at the very start of the season.

Next up is the New Orleans Privateers. They come in at 1-3, including losses to Butler and Mississippi State They have a 7-3 Center, Bol Reik, who doesn’t play much. I hope he plays this Sunday. New Orleans shoots a good percentage overall, but not on 3s (25%). Let’s hope for another win. See you out at the SSC on Sunday.

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