You’ve got to go back — back … back … back to the days of Julian Sensley, Big Matt (Gipson) and Little Matt (Gibson) — for the last time the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team had a winning record in the Western Athletic Conference.
Yes, 2005-06, Riley Wallace’s penultimate year in Manoa, marked by a 10-6 conference finish, was the last time the Rainbow Warriors contended for much more than a tournament berth in the WAC.
But after five seasons without being a factor in the conference, that should change this year.
Today the WAC is scheduled to announce the preseason coaches’ and media polls and, for the first time in a long time, it shouldn’t be hide-your-eyes time.
Expect the ’Bows to be picked in the top half of the eight-team WAC, a place they have rarely visited in recent years but a position they should be fully capable of ascending.
Our ballot has the ’Bows third, thanks in large part to Zane Johnson, the only one of the top six in the conference in scoring (15.8) to come back. Add the return of Joston Thomas and Vander Joaquim, plus the addition of point guard Shaquille Stokes, and there is much to look forward to in head coach Gib Arnold’s second year, even with the loss of Bill Amis and Hiram Thompson.
This is UH’s 33rd and final final lap around the WAC and the Rainbow Warriors should find it a pliable league, helping to make the parting for the Big West memorable.
1. Utah State — Perhaps only in the modern-day WAC can you lose four-fifths of your starting lineup and still be the odds-on favorite to repeat as conference champion. Somehow Aggies coach Stew Morrill manages to reload instead of rebuild within his system. Having the conference’s best (and loudest) home-court advantage doesn’t hurt, either.
2. Nevada — Will this be the year the Wolf Pack production matches its considerable ability? Nevada has the players — especially Dario Hunt and Deonte Burton — and the experience, but can the Wolf Pack put it together?
3. Hawaii — How the backcourt goes will say a lot about how far — and high in the standings — the Rainbow Warriors go.
4. New Mexico State — This is the mystery team of the moment. These Aggies could be very good and contend for a title — or end up as head-scratching also-rans again.
5. Idaho — The Vandals’ Don Verlin might have done the best coaching job in the conference last year, guiding a bunch of role players to a third-place finish and an 18-14 overall record. But most of them were seniors, so the rebuilding curve will be steep.
6. Fresno State — With the mass exodus that followed coach Steve Cleveland’s ouster, this could be the weakest Fresno State team UH has encountered in 20 years of shared WAC membership.
7. San Jose State — The WAC’s leading scorer, Adrian Oliver (24 points per game), is gone and there are other holes to fill as well.
8. Louisiana Tech — The deed to the WAC cellar is likely to remain in the Bulldogs’ name. Going 2-14 and losing your “best” players isn’t a recipe for climbing out anytime soon. At least it should make that last road trip to Ruston, La., a lot easier for departing WAC members UH, Nevada and Fresno State.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
