‘Bows all business on Las Vegas trip

Mixing business with pleasure is always a risky proposition in Las Vegas.

The Hawaii men’s basketball team was to fly there overnight for its first and only mainland game of the nonconference season, on Saturday at No. 24 UNLV.

UH coach Gib Arnold felt his 4-1 Rainbow Warriors had the right mind-set as they prepared to embark for Sin City and their date with the 4-1 Runnin’ Rebels.

"It’s Vegas. Most of these guys have been to Vegas a bunch of times, growing up in AAU ball," he said. "A couple of the foreign kids haven’t. So we’re not going there to be tourists or anything."

As if to back his coach up on that point, senior center Vander Joaquim said, "We live in Hawaii. So if we are focused in Hawaii, we can focus anywhere."

UH was sharp, for the most part, in its season-opening homestand; it was one possession away from a 5-0 start to the year if it could have held off now-No. 22 Illinois two weeks ago. The ‘Bows concluded a hard week of home practices with a lengthy scout of the Rebels on campus before flying out.

"I got a good feeling," Arnold said. "I think these guys, even though we’re new as a team, I think it’s a group that I’m hoping is up for the challenge. And I know they’re all looking forward to it, they’re excited to be on the road and play a team like UNLV."

The talented Rebels and their noisy fans are expected to provide one of the biggest tests for UH all season. Arnold said he heard from several people that the 19,000-seat Thomas & Mack Center is sold out for the 4 p.m. (2 p.m. Hawaii time) afternoon game, or close to it.

Off-court drama has generally been at a low with this group. However, the road is where camaraderie and chemistry are really put to the test. The only other trip the entire team took together so far was a preseason weekend bonding jaunt to Molokai, which was considered a success.

The Palms Casino Resort — the team’s hotel in Vegas — could be a little different.

"It’s a worldwide popular place," freshman wing Ozren Pavlovic said of his first trip to Vegas. "We all know it is not famous because of basketball, but we’re going there to do a job. Strictly business. We’re going to try to get a W, that’s only (thing) in my mind right now."

Thirteen of 16 UH players on the roster will make the trip. Redshirts Keith Shamburger, Aaron Valdes and Dyrbe Enos are the only ones staying back. A fourth redshirt, freshman center Caleb Dressler, will make the trip as a practice player.

Six of the traveling ‘Bows are freshmen.

"I fully expect there to be a few practical jokes being pulled. Especially on the freshmen, which is part of road trips as well," Arnold said.

The 6-foot-10 Joaquim said he’d trade airplane seats with any freshman with a roomier spot than he.

Pavlovic, who’s never been to Vegas, said he’d be prepared for any possible shenanigans.

"If I was an upperclassman, I would do some pranks. I’ll be ready for that," Pavlovic said with a smile.

UH does not fly to the mainland again until Big West Conference play at UC Irvine on Jan. 9.