Griz to face Hawaii in ESPN game

Saturday night the Grizzlies won’t be facing a very familiar foe.

The Western Athletic Conference’s University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are making the 3,284 mile jaunt to Dahlberg Arena to clash with the Griz in ESPN’s 10th year of BracketBuster games. The teams have met four times, splitting the series 2-2.    

Hawaii is 15-10 overall, 6-4 in the WAC and has won four of its last five. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies boast a 19-6 overall record and are currently tied atop the Big Sky Conference with Weber State with identical 12-1 records. Their conference success ties them with the 1991-92 team for the best start in conference play. The Griz have won eight in a row and 14 of their last 15.

The Kaimin took the opportunity to invite Joey Ramirez, associate sports editor of the University of Hawaii’s student-newspaper Ka Leo, aboard to preview Saturday’s contest, which tips at 7 p.m.The ESPN BracketBuster throws a serious curveball into the conference schedule for both teams. The game means essentially nothing to overall records and provides the hosting University of Montana the rare opportunity to indulge in the clichéd theme of “beach night,” encouraging fans to dress in their — wait for it — beach/Hawaiian attire! So who wins this game? Or are we all losers?

Erik C. Anderson (Sports Reporter/Montana Kaimin): While ultimately I think the Grizzlies are playing too well to lose to a middle of the road WAC team, we’re all losers. Earlier in the week head coach Wayne Tinkle made it clear that an abrupt nonconference game is detrimental to his team’s preparation for the upcoming Big Sky Tournament (which UM has a chance to host).

Plus, the marketing team at UM is handing out leis, sunglasses, hats and grass skirts before tip off. Welcome to Montana, Hawaii! What stereotype did we miss? Doesn’t this also take away from home court advantage? Instead of welcoming in an opponent with “Hawaiian” gestures, shouldn’t we be shelling out shotguns, flannels and Keystone Light, and encouraging Montanan fans to act, ya know, Montanan?

Joey Ramirez (Associate Sports Editor/Ka Leo): I think that the “winners” for this game are definitely the teams playing in it. Each squad has a lot of fight and talent in them, so it’s going to be a pretty great matchup that will ultimately make the both of them stronger. Also, the ESPN BracketBuster creates a lot of exposure for both schools, which definitely seems like a win to me.

Unfortunately, the “loser” of this game is definitely going to be whichever guy decides that it’s a good idea to walk to the game in a 25 degree snow shower while wearing a grass skirt and a coconut bra.

What do you know about the opposing team’s state?

EA: I know that since third grade, teachers, televisions and transients have advocated for the alluring beauty of the Aloha State. Beyond that, I assume everybody is “hangin’ loose” and surfing. No? I need to read more books.

JR: Honestly, not much. It borders Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Phil Jackson was born there. It’s called Big Sky Country. And it’s the last name of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.

If you’re recruiting a basketball player and he’s told you he’s narrowed it down between the University of Montana and the University of Hawaii, what’s your final selling point?

EA: The University of Montana has turned out professional basketball players before and is on the verge of its third 20-win season. The Griz have been to the NCAA tournament seven times. Hawaii can’t say that.

JR: If I were trying to recruit a player to UH instead of UM, my selling point would be: Try getting a tan in Montana during the middle of February.

erik1.anderson@umontana.edu