VIDEO: "High expectations" for UH men's basketball

For the past two months, the 'Bows have been training together, both in the weight room and on the basketball court.

In other words, they already have an idea of what to expect out of each other.

"This team is going to be different from last year," said Roderick Flemings, the top returning player. "We got a lot more options now. We'll be a lot more exciting."

In the absence of a "Midnight Ohana" festival, The Advertiser conducted an informal poll of the players to find out what the fans can expect this season.

3-POINT SHOOTING

The 'Bows should be much improved from long-range. Of course, they couldn't get much worse.

Last season, Hawaii was one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the nation, ranking 339th (out of 343 NCAA Division I teams) with 106 3s.

"Teams would zone us and we would hesitate to shoot," senior forward Bill Amis said. "This year, we got a bunch of guys who can make them pay."

In particular, newcomers Jeremy Lay and Dwain Williams were recruited to become the team's sharpshooters.

"Most definitely, we'll be improved," Williams said.

Also, returnee Hiram Thompson has recovered from the hamstring injuries that bothered him all of last season and he has been draining 3-pointers consistently in pick-up games.

The players pick: Williams. The 6-foot junior made 48 3-pointers and had a .407 percentage from long range as a sophomore at Providence two years ago.

"He doesn't hesitate to shoot it, and he makes it most of the time," Amis said. "During pick-up games, he's been hitting some real deep ones."

Also receiving votes in this category were Thompson, Leroy Lutu Jr., and Beau Albrechtson.

FREE-THROW SHOOTING

One of Hawaii's strengths last season was free-throw shooting, as the team had a .714 percentage, and out-scored opponents 497-439 from the line.

The 'Bows are expected to be efficient on free throws again, especially since "big men" Amis, Petras Balocka and Douglas Kurtz are all considered decent shooters.

The players pick: Thompson. The 6-2 junior had a .813 free-throw percentage last season.

"There's a lot of good guys, but Hiram is probably the most consistent," Lutu said.

Others receiving votes were Amis, Williams, Lutu and Balocka.

REBOUNDING

The 'Bows were solid on the boards last season, out-rebounding opponents by an average of 4.2 rebounds per game.

The top three rebounders from last season return in Amis (6.5 per game), Flemings (5.8) and Balocka (5.5).

The addition of the 7-foot, 265-pound Kurtz can only help.

The 'Bows will be a big team this season, with eight of the 14 players on the active roster 6-7 or taller.

The players pick: Amis. In perhaps an indication of the team's size and depth in the low post, seven different players received votes in this category.

"Bill is just a solid guy to have in there," Thompson said.

Others receiving votes were Flemings, Paul Campbell, Balocka, Kurtz, Brandon Adams and Jeremy Lay.

PASSING

Last year's starting point guard, Kareem Nitoto, transferred to UC Riverside.

Lay and Thompson are expected to battle for the vacant starting spot, and both should see lots of action.

"Kareem is still my man, but we'll be improved at point guard this year," Flemings said. "Jeremy is a solid point guard — he really likes to pass. And Hiram, you can see how much he improved. He looks ready."

The players pick: Thompson. He edged Lay by a 7-6 count.

Oddly enough, Thompson said Flemings is the team's best passer.

DUNKING

It's too bad there is no dunk contest for the fans to watch this season.

Flemings and Adams are two of the best power-dunkers the program has ever had. The 6-7 Flemings threw down several highlight-reel jams last season, and he said the sore ankle that bothered him last season is finally healed.

"Brandon (Adams) can throw it down, but I'd win (a dunk contest) hands down," Flemings said.

Adams countered: "I'm pretty sure I'd win."

The players pick: Flemings.

"I've been throwing lobs to him every day, and he goes up and gets it every time," Williams said.

Lay added: "Rod can jump out of the gym. (Adams) is a close second, though."

STRENGTH

The 'Bows have changed their weightlifting strategy this season — lighter weights with more repetitions.

Several returnees have packed on more muscle, including Flemings, Campbell, Amis, Lutu and Thompson.

There will also be a battle of heavyweights for the starting center role between the 265-pound Kurtz and 250-pound Balocka.

The players pick: Flemings. He has added 11 pounds of muscle, and now checks in at 226. He can bench press more than 300 pounds.

"He's one of those naturally strong guys," Amis said.

Others receiving votes were Kurtz, Balocka, Lutu, Adams and Albrechtson.

SPEED

With the addition of 6-foot guards Lay and Williams, the 'Bows are expected to run more this season.

But believe it or not, the fastest player on the team is not a guard.

The players pick: Adams. He was a track all-star (200 meters and high jump) in high school.

"He knows how to run," Albrechtson said. "And he's got them long strides."

According to the players, the only ones who come close to Adams during running drills are Lay, Lutu and Williams.

TRASH-TALKING

The 'Bows have their share of talkers — Lay and Williams will bring confidence in addition to their quickness and shooting skills.

Flemings also admits that he likes to talk to his opponents during games.

But in a near-unanimous vote ...

The players pick: Balocka.

"He talks so much in practice, I can not imagine what he must be like in games," Kurtz said.

In Balocka fashion, he pleaded his own case.

"I don't talk trash, man," he said. "I just say what's on my mind, that's all."

NOTES

The 'Bows are scheduled to have their opening practice tonight from 5-7:30 p.m. at Gym II on the UH campus. The practice will be open to the public.