It’s been more than a week since I was pounding down copious amounts of kalua turkey and sweet potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner, but I’m not sure I was as satisfied as I will be this weekend with the overflowing plate
It’s been more than a week since I was pounding down copious amounts of kalua turkey and sweet potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner, but I’m not sure I was as satisfied as I will be this weekend with the overflowing plate of local and national sports. There is more than enough going on to fulfill even the largest of appetites. So here’s a Sunday pupu platter to get everyone caught up.
WAHINE ADVANCE IN ROUND ONE: I complained last year about the lack of respect given to the Rainbow Wahine by the NCAA selection committee in its women’s volleyball seeding and destination placement for the championship tournament. I can make no such complaint this year, unless you want to quibble with the No. 11 seed which isn’t much of a reach. Let’s take what we can get for now.
UH got the first two rounds at the Stan Sheriff Center and took advantage with a first-round win Friday night against Idaho State. The Wahine dropped the second set in the contest but rebounded to dominate the rest of the way for a 3-1 win and a second-round date with BYU. The winner of last night’s Hawaii-BYU matchup (result unavailable as of press time) will take on No. 6 seeded USC – which picked up wins over New Hampshire and Cal State Northridge – in the Round of 16 on Friday.
‘BOWS HOOPS HEADING TO LIHUE: This Saturday gives Kauai a chance to see the Hawaii men’s basketball team up close when the ‘Bows take on Chaminade at the Kauai High School gym in Lihue. Off to a 5-2 start, head coach Gib Arnold has UH operating efficiently in the season’s early stages. Senior forward Christian Standhardinger and sophomore forward Isaac Fotu are looking to take the ‘Bows from Big West spoilers to contenders and the visit to Kauai is the second straight year the two Hawaii schools have showcased their talents on an outer island. Last year was an up-and-down affair on Molokai with UH notching a 104-93 victory.
Tip off for Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.
PIPE MASTERS BEGINS TODAY: The waiting period for the 2013 Billabong Pipe Masters begins today and runs through Dec. 20. The Association of Surfing Professionals world title is on the line for Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, while a host of surfers are in the mix for the 2013 Vans Triple Crown title.
Surfline, the event’s official forecaster, has indicated a solid overhead swell for today, which should last through Monday and into Tuesday before dissipating, so don’t be surprised if the very first heat – which will be between World Cup champion Ezekiel Lau and Patrick Gudauskas – hits the water at 8 a.m.
Kaimana Jaquias will take on Kieren Perrow in Heat 4, followed by Bruce Irons and Raoni Monteiro in Heat 6 and Reef McIntosh and Dusty Payne in Heat 7. Sebastian Zietz, currently in seventh in the Triple Crown ratings after taking last year’s title, has a bye into the second round.
Oh, and a shout out to Alana Blanchard for winning the women’s top spot at Friday night’s 2013 Surfer Poll Awards. She took second in 2012 and this year topped the reader vote list with Sally Fitzgibbons, Carissa Moore, Coco Ho and Stephanie Gilmore rounding out the top five.
NCAA FOOTBALL HEADS TO THE FINISH: Though I don’t have all the results before clicking the send button on this column, Saturday’s full slate of college football caps an amazing two-week stretch. Despite the, let’s say issues, I have with the NCAA as an organization, I still can’t keep from watching their product.
Starting with last week’s trio of Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn and Oregon-Oregon State (plus Penn State winning at Wisconsin), Saturday then picked up right where they left off with a last-minute win for Oklahoma over Oklahoma State and then a back-and-forth SEC battle between top-fivers Auburn and Missouri. All that before Florida State and Ohio State attempted to stake their claims to a national title game berth in their respective conference title games.
Is it just me, or is it always better when Alabama isn’t involved?
NFL POWER RANKINGS: With just four games to play for most, here’s my top 10 heading into today’s action: 1. Seattle; 2. Denver; 3. New England; 4. Carolina; 5. New Orleans; 6. Cincinnati; 7. San Francisco; 8. Kansas City; 9. Philadelphia; 10. Arizona; 32. Houston
‘My Thoughts Exactly’ appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Garden Island. Email David Simon your comments or questions to dsimon@thegardenisland.com. Follow David on Twitter @SimonTGI
