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That, basketball fans, is a perfect example of why, in March, everyone can have big dreams.
Sometimes they come true.
Hawaii entered Thursday’s WAC tournament quarterfinal against Idaho with a five-game losing streak, one of its leading scorers left here at home, and its all-conference center hiding in plain sight the previous two games.
The center, Vander Joaquim, came back strong. Still, UH trailed by seven late in the second half, with Joston Thomas fouled out. Trevor Wiseman hobbled around the court with a sprained ankle.
It set the stage for a role player to earn himself a permanent place in UH basketball lore. And that’s exactly what Hauns Brereton did, with 17 points, including the game-winner with 3 seconds left, and 11 rebounds. Hawaii beats Idaho 72-70 and advances to tonight’s semifinals instead of scurrying for flights back to the islands from Las Vegas.
Especially with senior captain and shooting guard Zane Johnson out with mono, just about everyone figured this was going to be a loss and UH’s last game. The Rainbow Warriors would finish what was once a promising season with six consecutive defeats and a losing record. All the trends were against UH, including the fact that they hadn’t won a WAC tourney game in seven years.
So, just when you think they’re dead, they turn in one of the more inspirational wins in program history.
The heart and cohesiveness of this team was rightfully questioned after it was blown out by these same Vandals last week at home. UH regained a little pride, though not a win, in the heartbreaking senior night loss to Utah State.
Now, even if they lose by 42 tonight to New Mexico State, like they did at Las Cruces, UH fans can rightfully consider Thursday’s win a season-saver and look forward to 2012-13 with positive anticipation. Now, at least a non-losing season is guaranteed — something to build on.
But I say be greedy. Keep dreaming. There is no reason not to believe in the unbelievable after Thursday. Actually, the impossible has now become the improbable. Don’t forget — UH has also beaten New Mexico State this season. So go all-in if you want. Believe in miracles … you only need two more.
Yes, reality dictates otherwise, and even now, only the truest of true believers can imagine Hawaii in an NCAA bracket come Sunday.
But this is why they call it March Madness. It’s time to go ahead and lose your mind.
Plus, don’t forget there is precedent for UH teams to come out of the middle of the pack and win the WAC’s automatic bid the hard way (or, you could look at it the other way, and say being hot enough to win three in a row at the right time is the easy way).
The Rainbows did it in 1994 and 2001.
Assistant coach Brandyn Akana is probably telling the team right now about how his brother Jarinn, Trevor Ruffin and the rest of the ’94 ‘Bows shot their way out of Salt Lake City and into the NCAAs.
The 2001 team went 8-8 in the WAC regular season but knocked off host Tulsa in the tournament final, thanks to the heroics of freshman guard Carl English, who had usually come off the bench during the regular season. Hmm … eight WAC losses? Coach forced to start a freshman guard? Sounds kind of familiar.
Go ahead, dream big. That’s what March is for. And after what UH did Thursday, why not?
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