Hawaii faces travel-challenged Long Beach State

The nation’s fastest-paced basketball group endured a journey hold off that may possibly impact tonight’s recreation in SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Heart.

Extensive Beach front State was scheduled to get there in Honolulu on Friday afternoon in advance of tonight’s Significant West video game in opposition to Hawaii. But a mechanical challenge postponed the non-cease flight’s departure out of Los Angeles Global Airport from 10 a.m. Pacific time to 11 p.m., this means the Seashore would get there this early morning at about 3 Hawaii time.

“We’ll be like an NBA staff,” mentor Dan Monson mentioned of the Beach, who are 8-9 overall and 2-3 in the Major West. “Roll into the activity and see what takes place.”

If a different hold off further more shortens the preparation time, the Seaside could possibly question league officers to contemplate postponing the sport until Sunday evening.

“For us, (Sunday) would operate,” Monson said. “For them, I’m not sure.” The Rainbow Warriors enjoy host to Cal Condition Northridge on Monday.

Monson explained the first system was to journey to Hawaii on Thursday. But the Beach front experienced to press again vacation programs a day just after agreeing to a ask for to transfer the video game from Cal Poly from Wednesday to Thursday. For the reason that of heavy rain and flooding in California, Cal Poly preferred to wait an extra working day just before navigating the 220-mile route among its San Luis Obispo campus and Extended Beach.

The Beach front gathered at Walter Pyramid, their household court docket, early Friday early morning when they ended up instructed about the 13-hour delay in departure. A probability was to journey in two groups. “But if one does not go, you have 50 {6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} the group listed here and half the workforce there,” Monson stated. “We did not want to do that.”

Alternatively, the Seaside held a follow in Walter Pyramid on Friday early morning. They ended up set to reconvene Friday night, then make the push to LAX.

“It is what it is,” Monson reported. “Our basketball troubles are even worse than our vacation problems.”

In accordance to Kenpom.com, the Beach’s average of 14.7 seconds for every possession was the briefest of the 351 Division I teams. The Seaside also average 73. belongings for each 40 minutes. But Monson stated LBSU has been slowed by accidents and inconsistent defense.

Issue guard Joel Murray, who was the league’s top rated scorer previous time, did not participate in against Cal Poly mainly because of a wrist injuries. His availability is doubtful for tonight’s sport. Off guard Marcus Tsohonis has been sidelined for the reason that of an ankle harm. Even just before individuals injuries to their two top scorers, the Beach front centered on tightening their protection in league competitors.

In 12 non-league game titles, opponents averaged 71.4 details on 40.1{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} capturing. In the first four of 5 Large West game titles, opponents scored 79.8 factors on 43.9{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} capturing, which includes 35.6{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} on 3s.

“We bought into league, and we weren’t all set defensively to the level we have to be to contend in this league,” Monson mentioned. “We’ve done almost nothing but try to remedy that the previous 10 days, two weeks. I feel the injuries have solidified that (tactic), at minimum in these guys’ minds, that protection is our only chance to get improved, no make a difference who’s out there.”

Forwards Lassina Traore and Aboubacar have blended to get 47.2{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} of the Beach’s rebounds, together with 59.3{6932ee47e64f4ce8eedbbd5224581f6531cba18a35225771c06e4f1b3f0d9667} of the offensive boards.

“But it’s an specific factor,” Monson mentioned. “The guards and wings feel those two are heading to get each individual rebound. At the finish of the day, it’s not heading to be an gain. We must be improved (in general) with those two guys rebounding.”