A note from a Hawaii fan

 Received this from a UH basketball fan and immediately thought
 it's a must share item:

It’ll be Arnold’s team…

With only Zane Johnson the lone ranger, the only player left on scholarship from the Nash era, it’ll be Arnold’s team in 2011-2012.

However, Zane will be the key returner for the coming season.  He’ll probably be named as the captain or at least one of the captains.  Who joins him as a leader will emerge in the fall.

A lot of anticipation looms for the coming season what with a dozen of Gibber’s recruits on the roster -- the Hawaii fan can’t wait for the season to open. Season tickets should increase by no less than 1k.  The first big game could sell out the 10,000 seat Stan Sheriff Center something which hasn’t occurred since the A.C. Carter/Alika Smith days.

The two returnees who will be penciled in from day one to opening day should be Zane Johnson, who could open at SG or SF and center Vander Joaquim.  The rest is up for grabs and that suits Gibber just fine.

We’ll miss Bo Barnes’ threes and his constant hustle on defense.  The instant offense that he provided will be replaced amply by the influx of offensive fire power from the likes of scoring machines Hauns Brereton,  Deshawn Mitchell, and Gerry Blakes.

A new point guard will start the season since Miah Ostrowski will still be engaged in his scholarship sport, football, when the season opens. Returning PG Bobby Miles will be challenged by Shaq Stokes, who might be the steal of this class. Gerry Blakes a combo guard could land the SG job -- however, he is another PG candidate.

Blue collar forward Trevor Wiseman will get minutes. His acceptance as a defense first player will put him on the floor. A mature Joston Thomas proved that when focused he belongs on the court. All he needs to realize is that his game is from inside ten feet and he needs to take care of the ball by not forcing things that aren’t there.  Do that and he could be a starter again.

Davis Rozitis will surprise a lot of folks at the Stan Sheriff Center with his Euro-style talents unlike the average seven footer. He’ll provide many a valuable minute down low. He is one of the keys to this team’s success while we wait for Ronnie Stevens and Dillon Biggs to gain 15-20lbs of beef. Dominick Brumfield remains in the loop and he needs to shake off the ill effects of his surgery real soon if he wants to get on the court. Transfer Tyler McDaniels is another tree who could prove valuable down the stretch.

The bench is long with walk-ons Pi’I Minns, a transfer from nearby Chaminade and an ex-POY from Hawaii, and former Utah starting PG Jace Tavita.

Note: all this could change if one or two players don’t make it academically or have a change of heart.

The best thing about this team will be that there are so many pure athletes who can run, slash, shoot, and defend. Many of whom will play two or more positions. The roster has Gibber and company drooling at the prospects for next year and the years to come.  The team’s Achilles heel may be its youth since only Zane Johnson is a senior. At one point witnessing a two platoon system is not out of the realm of possibility.

The Orient trip in August is pure genius by Arnold as this gets his team an extra 10-15 practices and about ten exhibition/scrimmages together before the winter startup.  Only Miah Ostrowski will miss this trip.

Yup, as the chubby kid said on that commercial, “things are looking up!”