Wiseman back with Rainbows

It was hard for Trevor Wiseman to watch.

The Rainbow Warriors forward was in the Stan Sheriff Center — but not on the bench — to see his teammates get blasted on the backboards in an 88-79 loss to Nevada on Thursday night, a loss that all but eliminated UH from the Western Athletic Conference regular-season title race.

"It was pretty tough to see that," said Wiseman, who was reinstated on Friday from his indefinite suspension that lasted five days. "Those are all my boys."

Wiseman reached out to UH coach Gib Arnold the morning after the loss, and the player and the UH coaches patched up their divide resulting from his refusal to enter a game at San Jose State last week.

Wiseman’s role and minutes had diminished in WAC play after starting 14 straight games to open the season, but he seems ready to return to his blue-collar ways. Both Arnold and Wiseman issued conciliatory statements on Friday.

"It was just a frustration thing at the time. Nothing more than that," Wiseman said. "(Coach) said, ‘Just work hard. Keep doing what you’re doing and we’ll move forward from here.’ "

Arnold reinstated Wiseman in time for the team’s closed afternoon practice, which the coach described as "businesslike." Fourth-place UH (13-10, 5-4 WAC) turned its attention to getting back on a winning track against today’s opponent, seventh-place and sometimes-rival Fresno State (11-15, 3-7). UH’s most consistent basketball rival is making its final WAC trip to Honolulu before the two teams head their separate ways next season.

From the sound of it, Wiseman will be expected to contribute immediately in his return.

"He definitely gives us a boost," Arnold said. "It’s good to see him back out there and obviously his play is blue-collar, for lack of a better term. His style of play will help us in this game … because (the Bulldogs) are very quick, very athletic, and he’s one of our better athletes."

The 6-foot-7 forward’s averages of 6.4 points and 5.4 rebounds — he is third on the team in boards — might have helped against the Wolf Pack, which outrebounded UH 46-27.

A similar deficiency tonight would seem to be highly unlikely; UH enjoys a significant size advantage in this one, as the Bulldogs typically start four guards and have no one over 6 feet 8 on their roster.

UH’s 6-10 center Vander Joaquim (14.3 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game) is happy to have some help on the glass. He played well in spurts against Nevada, but not consistently enough with Zane Johnson (15.4 ppg) having an off night and Joston Thomas (14.2 ppg) unable to take over.

"We can’t get that game back. Whatever we did out there, we’re just trying to get better," Joaquim said.

That’s where the emotional boost of Wiseman’s return could be key.

"Everybody’s happy to see him around," the center said. "He’s part of our family. … He’s going to help us a lot (today). During the game he’s going to bring a lot of energy, and help us defensively a lot. And he grabs rebounds, and doesn’t miss much. Against Fresno, they have 6-6 guys, 6-7, 6-5. So he can match up pretty good with them."

The scouting emphasis started with plans to limit the top scorer in the WAC, guard Kevin Olekaibe (18.2 ppg).

Sophomore guard Garrett Jefferson did a commendable job of that in the teams’ last meeting, a 74-68 overtime win in Fresno, Calif., on Jan. 12. Olekaibe was held to 15 points on 5-for-17 shooting.

Arnold said Jefferson will be called upon for an encore.

After a 79-71 double-overtime road loss to last-place San Jose State on Thursday, FSU coach Rodney Terry took to Twitter.

"We never get too high or too low," he wrote. "Quick turnaround for us… Desire and execution are going to be absolutely critical."

The Bulldogs arrived on Friday morning and eschewed a full practice.

Arnold said that he considers the Bulldogs to be playing their best basketball of the season, despite the loss. Prior to that, they defeated Idaho and Utah State in succession.