Rainbows looking for more help from the bench

The well of bench scoring has dried up for Hawaii.

UH’s starting five has increasingly carried the load for the Rainbow Warriors, who face an 0-2 hole in Big West Conference basketball heading into Saturday’s home game against UC Riverside.

Bench production was without question a strength of the ‘Bows through their first six games of the season, as they averaged 26.7 points per contest outside of their starting five.

In 10 games since, though, reliable production from the pine has been hard to find just 10.5 points per game over that span.

"I would actually like to get the bench going," UH coach Gib Arnold said after Wednesday’s closed practice. "I think it’s just a matter of time with them. I like what they bring. I do know the starting five’s (Christian Standhardinger, Isaac Fotu, Brandon Spearman, Garrett Nevels and Keith Shamburger) a little more consistent. I kind of know what I’m getting out of them every night."

UH (11-5) got a season-low 9 percent of its scoring from the bench (seven points) in its 79-78 loss at Cal State Northridge last Saturday.

Sophomore point guard Quincy Smith has been the most reliable scorer off the bench, at 6.2 ppg.

The last UH player to record double-digit scoring as a reserve was redshirt freshman Aaron Valdes, six games ago in a 2-point win over Saint Mary’s in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.

Valdes, who started the season strong, and true freshman Mike Thomas have seen their minutes drop. Senior center Davis Rozitis, the centerpiece of the team’s "point zone" formation, saw his court time reduced midway through the Diamond Head Classic and has remained at seven or eight minutes per game over the past six games.

"It’s frustrating at times, but I know it’s for the better of the team," Valdes said. "I know guys are out there playing and doing their best too. Whenever my name’s called I know I just gotta get in there and give it 100 percent every time."

Valdes has dealt with a tear in his right (shooting) elbow, which likely has contributed to a reduced role. Arnold said Rozitis dealt with some final exam fatigue during the Diamond Head tournament as well.

Freshman guard Dyrbe Enos actually saw an uptick in minutes (23 combined) in UH’s last two games. Freshman forward Stefan Jovanovic might see some time in home games, Arnold said.

"I know I’m going to get great effort from Valdes and Mike Thomas, and Davis as well," Arnold said. "But I would like to see those guys a little more consistent. Sometimes you do tend to tighten it a bit come conference play. But as it goes on we’re going to need those guys, especially when you play these double (Big West) games Thursday-Saturday."

Shamburger spends time with family

Starting point guard Keith Shamburger missed the past two team practices while spending time with family after the death of an aunt last week.

Shamburger played in UH’s loss at Northridge soon after learning the news. He shot 1-for-9, but hit a late 3-pointer that brought UH within a point.

Jankovic nears participation

Arnold hasn’t yet been able to comment on UH newcomer Stefan Jankovic, the ex-Missouri forward who is enrolling at Manoa this semester. But Jankovic has been present albeit on the sidelines in street clothes for practices this week.

Indications are he’ll be cleared to practice soon, possibly by the end of the week, as he prepares to sit out games for two semesters as a transfer player.