Photo gallery: Green and white scrimmage
Two Hawaii basketball bigs are still large and in charge.
Though much of the preseason hype surrounding the 2013-14 Rainbow Warriors is directed at revamped guard play, it was the domination of forwards Isaac Fotu and Christian Standhardinger that highlighted Saturday night’s intrasquad Green & White Scrimmage at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Three weeks remain before the regular-season opener vs. Tennessee State on Nov. 8. Saturday offered about 1,000 fans a first glimpse of the team in a new game-like format replacing the Ohana Hoopfest.
"Having never done anything like this before, I had no idea if we’d get 50 or whatever," UH coach Gib Arnold said. "I thought it was a great crowd."
On this night of two 20-minute officiated halves — rather than the celebrity appearances and other antics of old — it was last season’s two most decorated players, Fotu and Standhardinger, leading the way. The 6-foot-8 Standhardinger was an All-Big West first-team selection after averaging 15.8 points and 7.9 rebounds, while the 6-8 Fotu was the BWC Co-Freshman of the Year after putting up 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds on 62.3 percent shooting from the field.
"They’re used to playing here and you expect those two, our returning all-conference players, to have big nights," Arnold said. "They play big in practice; I didn’t expect anything different tonight when it was a scrimmage."
Fotu (15 points) led the Green squad to a 42-27 win over the Black team of Standhardinger (16 points) in the first half. Fotu shot a combined 12-for-15 in the two halves.
"Experience from last year, I guess," Fotu said. "Christian’s a senior now, so of course he’s going to be comfortable. I feel way more comfortable as well playing in front of people. I’m excited for the season to come."
Standhardinger saw promise in the team’s seven newcomers, including new guards Garrett Nevels and Quincy Smith.
"Me, I’m in the system for three years now so I know … the ins and outs. That helps a lot, I think," Standhardinger said. "Those new guys will get adjusted to it and produce, and they will play very good this season. I can see that coming."
Redshirt freshman Aaron Valdes won the halftime dunk contest with a spectacular 360-degree one-hander from the baseline on a pass from point guard Keith Shamburger off the side of the backboard. Valdes was runner-up last preseason, but he outdid finalists Mike Thomas and Smith on his second attempt this time.
"Me and Keith had been practicing that the last couple days," Valdes said. "It played out perfectly."
Seven-foot center Davis Rozitis got the loudest laughs of the night when he donned neon high shorts and a sweatband and dunked over Arnold and two assistants, who all wisely decided to lay flat on the hardwood.
Standhardinger and Fotu got to team up in the final 20-minute scrimmage, dubbed Team USA vs. The World, with the roster split along national and international lines. Standhardinger, of Germany, posted 22 points and 11 rebounds in a 52-43 loss, while Fotu, of New Zealand, added 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
Go Green, Save Green discounts start Monday
UH’s "Go Green, Save Green" ticket discount promotion begins Monday. Fans may get 50 percent off online purchases on select seats at 2013-14 UH men’s and women’s basketball games.
Available first are "mini packs" of six home games of the fan’s choice for the price of three, except for Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic games. Specific seats may be selected. Individual game tickets at the special rate go up on Nov. 1.
