×

Proving ground

Multiple teams arrive on Valley Isle facing questions after early losses

Oregon coach Dana Altman, shown during Sunday’s Maui Jim Maui Invitational news conference at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, hopes the Ducks improve on their 2-1 record this week. The Maui News / BRAD SHERMAN photo

KAANAPALI — The Maui Jim Maui Invitational had three teams in the top nine of last week’s Associated Press rankings. When the new poll is released today, that is unlikely to still be the case.

Five teams arrived on the Valley Isle with at least one loss — including No. 4 Oregon and No. 9 Wisconsin — while preseason No. 18 Connecticut is 1-2 with losses to Wagner and Northeastern at home and a three-point win over Loyola Marymount on the way to the Valley Isle.

Those losses may add to the intrigue in the tournament, which opens today at the Lahaina Civic Center.

“Well, I think what you’re looking at this time of year is trying to find out what’s the best way you can have your team grow by putting them in challenging environments like we did last week with Creighton,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said at the coaches’ news conference Sunday morning at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa — his team is 2-1 after a 67-59 loss to the 22nd-ranked Bluejays. “I think really for us to go into that type of environment, second game of the year, it pushed our growth level faster than normal and then that’s what this week will do, too.

“We’ll find out some things. By the time we hop on the plane Thursday night we’ll know a lot more about our team in terms of where we need to grow, what we’re pretty good at and then what prepares you for December and then all of us are looking at league play. That’s still your No. 1 goal.”

Reizel Yadao of Lokelani Intermediate School puts up a shot during a win for her and Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird (far right) in the coach-student free-throw contest. Also looking on are (from left) Wisconsin coach Greg Gard, Teani Buenconsejo of Lahaina Intermediate and Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie. The Maui News / BRAD SHERMAN photo

Oregon’s Dana Altman said his team used lessons learned from a road loss to Baylor in its next game, a victory over Valparaiso.

“I hope (the loss) woke us up a little bit, but we haven’t rebounded the ball well in the preseason and defensively we’ve been not very focused, so I hope it will help those two areas, as it did against Valpo,” Altman said. “Whether that carries over to this tournament is imperative for us to have success. If we rebound the ball well, if we guard, I think our offense will come along.”

UConn’s Kevin Ollie said his team has a chance to bounce back this week.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to get back in national recognition, you know, if you get a couple wins here,” said Ollie, who guided the Huskies to the NCAA title in 2014 in his second season as coach. “I think we’ve probably got one of the youngest teams here. We’re just trying to figure this thing out, but we will.”

Georgetown opened with a win over South Carolina-Upstate before losses to Arkansas State and Maryland.

Cruz Cosner of Iao Intermediate receives an autograph from Georgetown coach John Thompson III. The Maui News / BRAD SHERMAN photo

“It’s early and just from listening to the coaches, you’ve got a lot of teams that are trying to figure their team out,” Hoyas coach John Thompson III said. “It’s hard to do that here because it’s just so tough, but that’s the beauty of this tournament.”

Tennessee lost to Chattanooga before bouncing back with a win over Appalachian State.

“I think this time of year you’re really more concerned about your own team and what you’re trying to do, but the losses can be deceptive, too,” said Volunteers coach Rick Barnes. “When you talk about Oregon going on the road to Baylor, Wisconsin going to Creighton and the Maryland (win over) Georgetown, those are hard openers for anybody. I think this time of year we’re all still searching to find out a lot of things about our teams.”

Tournament host Chaminade (2-0), and its first-round opponent, No. 5 North Carolina (4-0), join Oklahoma State (3-0) as the only unbeatens in the field. The collective record of the eight teams is 16-7.

“There’s no doubt about that,” Silverswords coach Eric Bovaird said when asked if teams arrived ready to improve. “We hope that teams would cruise in here, you know, and enjoy all the scenery and think they’re on vacation and all of a sudden we can pull off the stunner.

“A lot of the teams come in with a loss and a loss as a coach gives us the opportunity to refocus the players. We really get their attention by showing them the things why we lost. I’m sure a lot of the coaches have done that. … Carolina, even though they are undefeated, coach (Roy Williams) said they didn’t play their best game against Hawaii the other night. So, I’m sure they’ll be as focused as ever versus us.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today