Suspending Wiseman was the right thing to do

Could he have made a difference? Probably not a decisive one. But maybe.

At a quick glance, the University of Hawaii basketball team’s 88-79 loss to Nevada on Thursday looked like a game perfectly suited to the talents of sophomore forward Trevor Wiseman. UH needed rebounds and energy, and that’s what Wiseman provides.

But he was on the outside looking in, lurking around the environs of the Stan Sheriff Center instead of suited up courtside and ready to play for the Rainbow Warriors.

Wiseman was reinstated Friday from a suspension that kept him out of the game against the Wolf Pack. He probably wasn’t worth a nine-point difference all by himself — especially when you consider that the former starter’s role had shrunk considerably since UH began Western Athletic Conference competition last month.

But when Nevada started dominating the boards Thursday, it’s not hard to imagine coach Gib Arnold calling for No. 31 to enter the game — and this time for some heavy minutes, and earlier than at San Jose State last week. That’s when Wiseman’s frustration with dwindling PT boiled over, leading to a confrontation that resulted in the suspension.

When Hawaii lost 77-74 at Nevada, Wiseman played 27 minutes. He made three of four from the floor, scoring seven points. But he had just three rebounds as UH was beaten on the boards 35-32.

REGARDLESS, ARNOLD absolutely did the right thing in suspending Wiseman, even with the biggest game of the WAC regular season looming. Even if the coach might have had a bigger role in store for him Thursday.

Arnold has built a pretty good team this season. But in his second year as head coach, the priority is still building the program. That means establishing a culture based on core values — values that must include discipline.

There’s already plenty of precedent for this; Joston Thomas’ temporary separation from the team last season comes to mind.

We’re told Wiseman apologized to the team and coaches. That’s great, and he deserves a second chance. Many 20-year-olds have made similar mistakes, or worse.

He could have saved himself, the program and the fans a lot of angst if he had remembered Arnold has a track record of bringing players back into the rotation from the end of the bench. In addition to Thomas we’ve seen this play out with Bo Barnes (though since departed) and Bobby Miles.

Shrinking minutes don’t necessarily mean you’re a forgotten man.

But showing up your coach will get them down to zero, real fast. Gib Arnold has established that for his program, without a doubt.

I don’t think it cost the Rainbows a win Thursday. But even if it did, it’s still best for UH basketball in the long run.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.