Needing a fresh restart, University of Hawaii basketball player Hunter Erickson asked his wife for assistance.
“Once my hair gets too long, where it’s sweaty and whips around, I like to chop it off, get it nice and clean,” said Erickson, who transferred from Utah this summer. “For six years, I went to TJ (Trujillo), the best barber in Utah. Sadly, I don’t get him out here. … Ran to Target, got a hair-cutting set, and my wife (Bayley) cut my hair.”
The next night, Erickson was on target — 5-for-5 shooting, including three 3s, and 2-for-2 on free throws — while helping to run the point in Sunday’s 100-74 rout of East Texas A&M.
“I was feeling extra light,” Erickson mused.
The Rainbow Warriors rebounded from a season-opening loss to Oregon on Nov. 4 and received momentum entering tonight’s opening round of the 59th Outrigger Rainbow Classic in Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Utah Tech and Manhattan play at 4:30 p.m. UH and Mississippi Valley State are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
The ’Bows used all 12 available players in an ensemble performance against ETAMU. Tanner Cuff, who attended Sunday’s game on crutches, has not practiced since suffering an apparent knee injury. Head coach Eran Ganot has said he is waiting for the medical staff to complete its findings before issuing a statement, but the multi-position player is likely to miss a significant amount of time.
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Erickson will be counted on to fill Cuff’s role as a ball-handler, wing defender and weak-side rebounder.
“It kind of happened my last two years at Utah,” Erickson said of rotating at the point. “We had some injuries, and I had to bring up the ball a little more than anticipated. It’s not something I’m unfamiliar with. I’m used to it. I like it. It’s nice knowing we have a team that moves the ball around. When I bring the ball up and we get into some actions, I know the ball is going to come back to me.”
Erickson had a 2.1-to-1 ratio of assists to turnovers in two seasons at Utah.
Erickson, Isaiah “Zay” Kerr and Hunter Carter have helped ease the ball-handling load on starting point guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, who has recovered from a fracture in his left hand that sidelined him for five of the six weeks of fall training.
“I feel more comfortable,” Hunkin-Claytor said. “I’m still trying to get into the groove. I wasn’t playing for a month. There was a little process back where I (now) feel comfortable. My teammates picked me up my last game, so I was good.”
Mississippi Valley State will test the ’Bows’ backcourt. Mike James, who plays the two, entered the week No. 1 nationally in shot attempts (52 in three games). James, who is 6-1, can shoot on iso plays, against double teams, and in transition. He averages 24.7 points per game.
The Delta Devils do not adhere to traditional roles. Daniel Mayfield is a point-five.
“He will actually bring up the ball,” UH strategist Clay Wilson said of the 6-foot-8 Mayfield. “Mayfield will start at the five but actually play a lot of point.”
The Delta Devils’ strategy is to play fast (with one or two passes each possession), create isolations and force opponents to hurry. MVSU opponents average 14.2 seconds a possession, the 16th quickest nationally.
“What we have to make sure we do is be in a wall (defensively), make sure we work together, stop them as a team,” Wilson said. “For us, it’s going to be important to stop the iso and, offensively, we need to crash the boards and run our stuff.”
Erickson said: “They’re a good team with good athletes. They push the ball a lot. We have to be ready in transition and every time (James) touches the ball.”
Hunkin-Claytor said UH’s conditioning program under Tanner Hull has been helpful in preparing the ’Bows to play three games in this four-night tournament.
“It’s fun playing games and being able to have that atmosphere every day,” Hunkin-Claytor said. “But it also takes a toll on our body. We know we’re a well-conditioned team. That’s something that’s going to keep us going over the course of the week.”
RAINBOW CLASSIC
At Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
Today, 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
UTAH TECH (2-2) VS. MANHATTAN (1-1)
HAWAII (1-1) VS. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (1-2)
>> TV: Spectrum; Radio: 1420 AM / 92.7 FM
