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Miah Ostrowski made another seamless switch from catching passes to dishing them.
Hawaii’s football-turned-basketball-turned-football star handled his first hoops practice of the season with typical nonchalance and aplomb on Thursday night, serving notice that he could be a valuable pick-up for Gib Arnold for the second straight season.
"I feel like I’m way more ready than I was coming in last year," Ostrowski said. "I know I’m capable of going out there and being able to compete. … I’m ready, whether my number gets called or not."
Exactly what last year’s eventual starting point guard will contribute in his final hoops season remains uncertain, but Arnold isn’t wasting any time bestowing hardwood responsibility on Ostrowski’s shoulders. He was named a third team captain — joining Zane Johnson and Vander Joaquim — just five days after the close of UH football season, in which he started at slotback.
"It’s great to see him again. He’s probably our best leader," Arnold said. "He said he’s ready to go. I told him, ‘OK, be prepared.’ "
UConn handles Harvard
STORRS, Conn. » Jeremy Lamb scored 18 points and Andre Drummond added 12 on 6-for-7 shooting and No. 9 Connecticut beat No. 25 Harvard 67-53 on Thursday, spoiling the Crimson’s first game ever as a ranked team.
The Huskies (8-1) appeared ready to pull away twice, once in the first half when they went up nine points and again in the second when they went up by 16 points. But Harvard got back in the game by using its crisp passing attack and some solid work underneath.
Kyle Casey had 12 points to lead the Crimson (8-1).
— Associated Press
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The pick-me-up was good timing for UH (2-4), which is coming off a disappointing two-game road trip to California. Energy was high in Thursday’s practice in Klum Gym.
Ostrowski came into prominence last season in part because of injuries to starter Hiram Thompson, but just as much on his own merits; he separated himself with his quickness, leadership and passing ability. He led the team in assists (76) and steals (26) despite playing in just 20 games in 2010-11.
Many were surprised when the 5-foot-9 Punahou product emerged midseason as a play-making force, helping UH come back from an 0-5 WAC start to finish 8-8.
"So was I," Johnson said. "But we’re expecting big things from him, and I think that he is going to bring an extra element to us. I think last year we were .500 (overall) before he came. He came in and turned it around."
What will his role be in 2011-12, with freshman Shaquille Stokes expected to be a big part of UH’s future and sophomore Bobby Miles offering steady play at the spot? The answer should start coming into focus on Sunday, when UH hosts UC Davis (1-7) at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"I got three pretty good (point guards) I think, and the best one will play," Arnold said. "The guy who’s performing will play. It adds more competition and guys gotta pick up their game."
In Thursday’s practice, Arnold spoke of attitude and effort determining playing time over the next three games. At the outset of the session, the entire team was told to wear the black side of their reversible jerseys, signifying second-team status.
Players who proved themselves were asked to swap out their jersey back to white. Ostrowski was among the first five, despite not getting in any shots during football season. He has a broken rib as a carry-over from football, but he’s brushing that off.
"I’m trying to help this team win and bring something to the table that’s needed. I’m going to do whatever it takes," he said.
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