Game 21: Idaho (11-9, 4-2) vs. Hawai`i (11-9, 3-3)
When: January 28, 2012 (8:05 p.m. PT)
Where: Moscow, Idaho (Cowan Spectrum)
Radio: Vandal Radio Network/VandalXtra
Television: ESPN Regional [Trey Bender/Bill Herenda]
Online Video: VandalXtra
Live Stats: www.GoVandals.com
A Look at the Rainbow Warriors
Hawai`i is 11-9 overall and 3-3 in WAC play after falling at Utah State on Thursday by a 77-72 margin. The Warriors own conference wins over New Mexico State, Fresno State and San Jose State, and have lost to Nevada, Utah State and Louisiana Tech. UH averages 73.9 points on 45.2 percent shooting while allowing a 40.6 clip and 71.7 points. The Warriors lead the WAC with 40.8 rebounds in conference games and are second with a +6.0 rebound margin. Senior guard Zane Johnson leads the team with a 15.5 scoring average, while junior center Vander Joaquim adds 14.0 points and a team-leading 9.9 rebounds. Senior Jeremiah Ostrowski leads the team with 6.5 assists per game.
Hawai`i Head Coach Gib Arnold
In his second season at Hawai`i, Gib Arnold holds a 30-22 coaching record. He led the Rainbow Warriors to a 19-13 overall record, an 8-8 WAC record and a CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament in his first year at the helm of the program. He came to UH from USC, where he was an assistant for five seasons. He has also made assistant coaching stops at Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount and Utah Valley. He is a 1994 graduate of Brigham Young.
Vandals and Rainbow Warriors
Idaho holds a 12-5 series edge over Hawai`i, including wins in the last four meetings. Idaho swept the series last year with a 59-44 win at Honolulu and a 75-61 victory at the Cowan Spectrum. The Vandals have won all three home games against UH during Don Verlin's tenure. The series has had just four games decided by five points or fewer and nine won by double-figures, including five wins by 20 or more points. The last UH win in the series was Feb. 7, 2009, by a 71-49 margin.
Vandals Support Cancer Awareness
Idaho coaches will wear suits and sneakers on Saturday in support of cancer research and the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. Idaho's official Coaches vs. Cancer game, sponsored by Relay for Life, will be Saturday, Feb. 11, at the women's-men's doubleheader against Louisiana Tech.
Faculty and Staff Appreciation
Saturday is Idaho Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. Any Idaho faculty or staff may pick up a free ticket at the Idaho Ticket Office before Friday, or at the West End Ticket Booth on gameday. Additionally, Vandal faculty/staff may purchase additional tickets for just $5 each.
Living on the Perimeter
Saturday's game features two of the WAC's most proficient perimeter shooters. Zane Johnson of Hawai`i leads the WAC with 3.16 made 3-pointers per game, while Idaho's Deremy Geiger is tied for second with 3.00 per game. While Johnson holds the edge in makes, Geiger's .469 percentage is second in the WAC and Johnson's .364 clip is 10th.
Steady Improvement
In his first year at Idaho last year, Deremy Geiger averaged 8.7 points and shot 32.1 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from 3-point range. What a difference one year makes. The senior guard is shooting 46.3 percent overall from the field and ranks second in the WAC with a 46.9 percent clip from 3-point range. His 3.00 made 3-pointers per game are tied as the second-most in the conference.
Double the Double-Doubles
Junior Kyle Barone (21p/11r) and senior Djim Bandoumel (11p/10r) each recorded a double-double in the 74-66 win over San Jose State on Jan. 26. It was the first career double-double for Bandoumel and the eighth for Barone. It was also the first time Idaho had two players achieve the mark in single game since Barone (20p/13r) and Brandon Wiley (12p/11r) did so in the overtime win at CSU Bakersfield on Jan. 15, 2011.
Click on the PDF link above to view complete game notes.
