Western Athletic Conference
2004-05: 16-13, 7-11, 7th
2004-05 postseason: none
By
Joel Welser
Hawaii
started last season with a nice eight game winning streak
beating such quality teams as Southern Illinois, St. Mary’s,
Oral Roberts and USC. After that it was up and down for the
Warriors, but mostly down.
Who’s Out: Jake Sottos averaged
10.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists his final season on
the islands. Forward Jeff Blackett earned 25 starts, averaging
9.7 points and 5.6 boards. Vaidotas Peciukas filled in nicely
off the bench averaging 4.3 points per game.
Who’s In: The big question is at
the point where newcomers John Wilder, Hiram Thompson and
Dominic Waters will battle with returnee Deonte Tatum for the
starting role. Wilder has the ability to score if he needs to,
but he’s a physical player who will look to pass first. The 6-1
guard averaged 12.0 points and 3.0 assists last year at
Weatherford (TX) College. Thompson may end up being the point
guard of the future for Hawaii. He has good size at 6-4 and
great speed. Thompson is a splendid ball handler but needs to
work on the outside shot. Waters averaged 23.4 points last year
at Grant High School in Portland, Oregon and could see some time
at both guard spots this season. Shooting guard Matt Lojeski
will find some minutes off the bench. The Eastern Wyoming
College transfer has good size and shooting skills and should be
a solid back up at the two and three spots. Ahmet Gueye, a
transfer from Salt Lake Community College, will add some
important depth to the frontcourt. The 6-8, 230 pound Senegal
native isn’t just the typical big body player. He can shoot the
long ball, create his own shots and drive the lane.
Who to Watch: Forward Julian
Sensley is still the star of the team. Last year he averaged
12.0 points and a team high 6.9 rebounds per game. The 6-9
senior wasn’t very consistent a season ago, but he has the
ability to dominate a game. Despite playing 35.7 minutes per
game, Sensley rarely was in foul trouble. Hawaii will need him
on the floor if they hope to make a postseason tournament.
Projected Conference Rank: Even if
the WAC is down, a 3rd place finish in the conference
is easily good enough for an NIT berth. With Matt Gibson, Matt
Gipson and Chris Botez on the floor, the Warriors are a
dangerous group. Gibson, or Little Matt, led the team in points
last year and is now the teams biggest threat from behind the
arc. Gipson, or Big Matt, showed promise last year, but the 6-9
senior needs to be more aggressive on the floor. Botez, a 6-9
center, started 27 games last year and will improve for his
senior campaign. If Deonte Tatum and Bobby Nash are relegated to
the bench, that’s not a bad duo to provide a spark. Each started
at least 13 games last year.
Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT
Projected Starting Five:
John Wilder, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Matt Gibson, Junior, Guard, 13.0 points per game
Julian Sensley, Senior, Forward, 12.0 points per game
Matt Gipson, Senior, Forward, 4.9 points per game
Chris Botez, Senior, Center, 5.3 points per game
