By Jack Danilewicz

RSN Writer

Saturday, March 9, 2002

Even though it was a forgone conclusion before Saturday that Hawaii would be in the NCAA Tournament, the Rainbow Warriors responded with one of their grittiest performances of the season in their 73-59 win over Tulsa in the WAC Conference championship game.

The Rainbow Warriors won't be an easy draw for anyone if they maintain their current level of play.

It was a fitting way for the Rainbow Warriors to end what has been an extraordinary regular season. Their 27-6 overall mark represents their best ever. Three key factors contributed to the Rainbow Warriors' win on Saturday: 

* Hawaii's ability to execute its offense: As has been the case for much of the year, the Rainbow Warriors took care of the ball, going the game's first 17-and-a-half minutes without a turnover.

The Rainbow Warriors finished with a season-low six turnovers while tallying 11 assists, no small feat considering the Golden Hurricane had won 25 of their last 28 at home coming into the game. Hawaii was most impressive at crunch time as it patiently worked its "flex" offense to convert a handful of easy baskets by way of the back cuts that Rainbow Warriors fans have come to expect.

Above all, Hawaii stood tall on the offensive boards on Saturday night, totaling 15 caroms.

Haim Shimonovich had four offensive rebounds and Phil Martin had three as the Rainbow Warriors out-rebounded Tulsa 44-39 for the night. Carl English also went strong to the boards, grabbing eight rebounds. He played a game-high 40 minutes. 

* Hawaii's defense: The Rainbow Warriors limited the Golden Hurricane to 33.9 percent shooting for the night and really seized command of the game inside of the first five minutes of the second half.

Tulsa's Dante Swanson was just 1 of 9 from the field, finishing with two points, although he logged 30 minutes. The Golden Hurricane committed 13 turnovers and were limited to just 11 assists. For the Rainbow Warriors, Carl English was especially game, playing a game-high 40 minutes. 

* The "Savo" factor. Predrag Savovic has been on a tear as of late. Arguably the toughest match-up in the WAC, defensively, his stock among professional scouts can only be on the rise this past week after repeatedly displaying his ability to come off of a screen and shoot the three-pointer.

His assertiveness on the offensive end and his toughness on the defensive end have a way of rubbing off on his teammates. If he can remain injury-free, Hawaii's chances to get past the first round of the NCAA's are strong given the balance they possess.

Both Mindaugas Burneika and Mike McIntyre have been huge in the big games for Hawaii. The teams that can best negotiate the ebb and flow that is a given in an NCAA Tournament game are the teams that advance.

Jack Danilewicz is a College Basketball Analyst for the Rainbow Sports Network. His analysis of the NCAA Tournament brackets will run on Monday.