Intensity tends to rise a notch for student-athletes during final exam week. So, too, do practices leading up to Hawaii’s marquee event of the nonconference basketball season.
When they happen at the same time, earmuffs are recommended in the gym.
"The intensity’s definitely high. Definitely high," senior guard Brandon Spearman said.
UH (7-2) takes a five-game winning streak into the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic starting Sunday against former Western Athletic Conference foe Boise State (8-2). It’s the fifth year of the ESPN-televised eight-team tournament, and the field is once again challenging.
Several highly regarded teams are making the trip, including No. 17 Iowa State, the tourney favorite that practiced immediately after UH in Gym 2 on Thursday. UH coach Gib Arnold exchanged pleasantries with ISU counterpart Fred Hoiberg on his way out. Meanwhile, Oregon State practiced in an adjacent gym.
Other teams (Saint Mary’s and South Carolina) played games on the mainland Thursday.
"It’s just a very important tournament," senior forward Christian Standhardinger said. "If we all be ready and all stay together and continue to compete, then I think we will have a good tournament."
UH’s best finish to date was fourth place in the inaugural DHC in 2009, though it actually posted a better record at 2-1 for fifth-place finishes in 2010 and ’11.
Arnold vocally challenged several of his players, including Standhardinger, to improve on weaknesses over the last few days.
"It’s been really good, especially during finals week they’re really drained, staying up late and doing all that," Arnold said. "But the legs have been there."
Some members of the team will have their far-flung families in town for the tournament. Among them was Spearman — his parents made their first trip out to the islands in his two seasons as a Rainbow Warrior.
"I’m happy they get to come out here, experience Hawaii and especially experience the Diamond Head," the captain said.
UH official tipoff time against the Broncos is 8 p.m. on Sunday, though the start will likely be closer to 8:30, a half hour after the Saint Mary’s-South Carolina 6 p.m. game finishes up. UH is guaranteed three games on either ESPNU or ESPN2 in the tourney Sunday, Monday and Christmas Day.
Ex-Missouri forward Jankovic visits
Former Missouri forward Stefan Jankovic made an official visit to the Manoa campus on Wednesday and Thursday.
Jankovic, a 6-11 sophomore who is good friends with UH’s ex-MU Tiger, Negus Webster-Chan, announced he would transfer on Nov. 22 in search of a team with opportunities for more playing time. He saw his role diminish after scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds in MU’s season-opening win.
