MANOA — Hawai‘i men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot has acknowledged all season it would take a time to solidify his team’s rotation.
Ganot has stated the ‘Bows roster, which he feels consists of about 10 players in depth, would be adjusting a lot throughout the 2020-21 season.
Between the complicated travel logistics and shortened Big West Conference schedule, Ganot was forced to make adjustments to various game rosters based on individual match-ups, resulting in more adjustments to his rotation than he would in a typical year.
Pushing forward
Despite the start of the 2020-21 season being atypical for Hawai‘i, Ganot has not made any excuses for his team, and the ‘Bows’ recent results validate that fact.
The ‘Bows are now ranked fifth in the BWC standings, and a sweep could allow them additional mobility.
Running with the big dogs
Heading into back-to-back BWC games against University of California Santa Barbara (12-3, 6-2) at 7 p.m. Friday and at 5 p.m. Saturday at Stan Sheriff Center, is a golden opportunity for the ‘Bows.
The ‘Bows will have to contain three players who have contributed to the Gauchos’ first-place standing in the Big West.
Jaquor McLaughlin has scored 16.9 points per game, Ajare Sanni is 12.5 points per game and Amadou Sow finished with 11.4 points per game.
These players are averaging 37 points per contest, and the ‘Bows will have to contain their offensive production if they want to have a chance to win the games.
The four-headed monster
Hawai‘i (7-5, 5-5) has four players who have made significant contributions to the team as they continue to try to position themselves for a good seed in the BWC tournament.
The tournament, presented by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, will be in the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas March 9 to 13.
Justin Webster is averaging 13.8 points per game, James Jean-Marie is averaging 12.5 points per contest, Junior Madut is averaging 11.5 points and Casdon Jardine is averaging 11 points per game.
The four of these players are combining for 47 points per game, and they are getting support from several role players.
Taking care of business
The series against UC Santa Barbara could be critical in the hypothetical scenario Hawai‘i takes advantage of their opportunity of playing a top-tier team in the BWC.
Depending on what happens in the University of Riverside’s series with UC San Diego and the ‘Bows series, Hawai‘i could move up one in the Big West standings.
If that happens, they can position themselves for a great seed headed into the BWC tournament.
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
