Game Notes
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After facing three difficult opponents on its home floor last weekend at the GCI Alaska Invitational, the Alaska men's basketball team will travel down to the Islands of Hawaii for a three-pack of non-conference road games.
“It's going to be another great opportunity and great challenge for us with three games in three days,” head coach
Mick Durham said. “I thought the three games in our tournament were really good for us. We got off to a slow start, finished the first game strong and we saw improvements in game two and three.”
The Nanooks (1-4) open the tropical trip on Thursday at Hawaii Pacific (0-3) at 3 p.m. in Kaneohe. The following night, the 'Nooks are back at it at third-ranked BYU-Hawaii (0-4) in Laie. They wrap up the weekend Saturday at Hawaii-Hilo (2-1) at 8:30 p.m.
“I think it is important they do have fun and experience Hawaii some, but we've talked to them already about it being a basketball trip,” Durham said. “I've been over there a few times with my teams and we've always been ready to play. As you long as you them this is when you need them and this is why we're here, they need to be ready in those three times.”
Alaska opened its home slate last weekend for its home tournament, but fell in all three contests to Southwest Baptist (68-81), Tiffin (79-86) and Lindenwood (77-85 OT). Senior guard
Jarrett Miller (North Pole, Alaska/West Hills CC) was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds.
“Jarrett was definitely a player coming back that we felt would be one of our scorers,” Durham said. “He's also one of our assists leaders too so is at times getting into the gaps and able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He has to be one of the quicker players in Division II so we've been really pleased with him.”
COACH DURHAM ON OPPONENTS:
“Hawaii Pacific is really quick, athletic and strong. It's probably the biggest team we'll face so far [this season] and that will cause some problems in itself.”
“BYU-Hawaii will be the best of the three even though they've lost a couple on the road. It is nationally ranked and brings back a strong nucleus plus a couple transfers.
“Hilo is a brand-new team with only about two players back. It is trying to find itself a little bit too.”
GAME 1: Alaska at Hawaii Pacific
When: Thursday, Nov. 24 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Kaneohe, Hawaii
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About Hawaii Pacific: Located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University was founded in 1965 and has an enrollment of 8,200 students. The Sea Warriors enter Thursday with a 0-3 record after falling 62-56 to Division I Hawaii and a dropping pair at the GNAC/PacWest Challenge against No. 22 Seattle Pacific (52-70) and Central Washington (61-75). Only one player averages double figures (Jason Jackson, 11.4 ppg), but four others are scoring over nine points a game.
Conference Affiliation: Member of the Pacific West Conference. Chaminade and Dixie State are the returning co-champions. BYU-Hawaii is the preseason favorite, while HPU was selected sixth. Other members include: Grand Canyon, California Baptist, Hawaii-Hilo, Notre Dame de Namur, Academy of Art and Dominican (CA).
Coach: Darren Vorderbruegge (Bethany College), who also serves as the HPU Athletics Director, enters his sixth season as head coach for the program. He is 57-76 in his first five years at the helm.
GAME 2: Alaska at BYU-Hawaii
When: Friday, Nov. 25 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Laie, Hawaii
Live Stats
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About BYU-Hawaii: Located in Laie, Hawaii, Brigham Young University-Hawaii was founded in 1954 and has an enrollment of 2,500 students. The Seasiders are 0-4 after losses to Division I Brigham Young (52-73) and three GNAC schools, Central Washington (77-78), No. 22 Seattle Pacific (65-76) and Western Washington (69-88). Four players average double figures, led by Jet Chang (14.0 ppg), the PacWest Preseason Player of the Year.
Conference Affiliation: Member of the Pacific West Conference. Chaminade and Dixie State are the returning co-champions. BYU-Hawaii is the preseason favorite. Other members include: Grand Canyon, California Baptist, Hawaii Pacific, Hawaii-Hilo, Notre Dame de Namur, Academy of Art and Dominican (CA).
Coach: Ken Wagner (Brigham Young '79) is in his 18th season as head coach of BYU-Hawaii and has a 414-189 record during his tenure. He has led the Seasiders to eight conference titles and 10 NCAA Tournaments, including last year's national title game, where they fell just short of capturing the championship.
GAME 3: Alaska at Hawaii-Hilo
When: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 5:15 p.m.
Where: Hilo, Hawaii
Live Stats
Live Audio (ESPN Radio 850 AM)
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About Hawaii-Hilo: Located in Hilo, Hawaii, the University of Hawaii at Hilo was founded in 1947 and became its own independent institution in 1970 and has an enrollment of 4,077 students. The Vulcans are 2-1 entering their Tuesday night contest with Western New Mexico with wins over Saint Martin's (66-60) and WNMU (80-75) and a loss to Western Oregon (61-83). Three players average double figures: Terrell Mack (13.7 ppg), Kiel Myers (13.3 ppg) and Zachary Wilde (12.7 ppg).
Conference Affiliation: Member of the Pacific West Conference. Chaminade and Dixie State are the returning co-champions. BYU-Hawaii is the preseason favorite, while Hawaii-Hilo was selected seventh. Other members include: Grand Canyon, California Baptist, Hawaii Pacific, Notre Dame de Namur, Academy of Art and Dominican (CA).
Coach: Jeff Law (SUNY-Plattsburgh) is in his 14th season at the helm of the UHH men's basketball program. The two-time Coach of the Year guided the Vulcans to one conference title and has a 194-150 record coming into this year.
