For the most part, coach GE Coleman will be content if UH-Hilo builds upon its effort against Western Oregon.
Though there are a few aspects of Friday’s loss he’d just as soon see destroyed.
The Vulcans return to PacWest play Monday against Holy Names at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, where taking better care of the ball and tending to the glass will be primary focuses in their penultimate game of 2018.
“If we wouldn’t have turned the ball over (18 times) and given up those (16) offensive rebounds, we would have been in it against one of the best team’s in the West,” Coleman said.
The margin of error for the Vuls (3-4, 1-2 PacWest) continues to be lessened as long as they are without leading scorer James Griffin, who Coleman estimated was a good month away from returning as he nurses a high ankle sprain.
The most positive development in Friday’s loss was the reemergence of senior forward Devin Johnson, who tallied season highs with 19 points and nine rebounds.
“I was so happy for DJ,” Coleman said. “He’s been trying hard and I really thing this could get him going.”
Traditionally, Holy Names (3-7, 2-3) hasn’t been one of the conference’s better programs, but the Hawks made a good account of themselves during their first two stops in Hawaii, beating Hawaii Pacific 61-59 on Thursday and leading Chaminade at the half Saturday before falling 87-78.
“We can’t beat anybody if we look past them,” Coleman said.
Considering all the new faces on UHH, he doesn’t expect that to happen.
“They are talented,” Coleman said. “You can’t allow them to get into an easy flow of the game.”