Some people will tell you a team with two starting quarterbacks means you actually have none. The contention is because it’s a leadership position you need a clear No. 1.

And marketing people will say you shouldn’t have two different team nicknames, it makes for confusion.

But as the University of Hawaii basketball team showed in its 77-63 win Saturday against Cal State Northridge, that theory is extremely debatable when it comes to point guards.

Two could be better than one, especially when you want to send a message to one.

Coach Gib Arnold wouldn’t go into details about why Keith Shamburger — who had started all 20 previous games this season at the point — was sitting for the entire first half on the far end of the bench, past even the managers and redshirting players.

Our interview requests for Shamburger after an efficient second-half performance (except for 1-for-5 shooting) of four assists and no turnovers in 16 minutes were denied.

As has become ritual, the team circled the arena after Saturday’s win to exchange quick pleasantries before the alma mater — something that did not occur Thursday, and which led to some intra-team shouting after the frustrating loss.

How much that played into Shamburger being relegated to the bench for the first half is known only to Arnold.

But the coach definitely sent a message, and has the leverage to do it with Smith. Hawaii led 32-30 with Smith running the show, spelled by freshman walk-on Dyrbe Enos.

Smith, starting for the first time since last year in junior college, didn’t think it was a big deal, and that it doesn’t matter that much who starts.

"I think it’s good, we’re the top two guys in assists. A lot of time we play at the same time and in that case it’s a lot easier for the other guys on the court to get easy shots. So I think it’s real good."

His stats weren’t overly impressive, with seven points, one assist and two turnovers in 25 minutes, but he took care of the ball, ran the offense and played strong defense.

Obviously, the team found its groove in the second half. Shamburger’s entry provided a spark. UH found a weakness in Northridge’s defense in the low right post and crushed it by moving Isaac Fotu there.

Maybe Shamburger would’ve shot better if he’d taken a few warmups at halftime, but taking a charge with 6:15 left and the Matadors trying to rally had to put him back into good graces with any holdouts. And then a three-point play to push the lead to double-digits a minute later.

We can’t discount that Shamburger was also part of a visible shouting match with a teammate earlier in the season. Afterward, Arnold would not name a future starter. He doesn’t need to — this is a team with two capable point guards.

Shamburger was all smiles after Saturday’s game, his response, "Yeah, yeah," when asked if everything was good now.

If he keeps his emotions in check he should regain his starting job. But Quincy Smith showed Saturday he can handle it, too.

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Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.