DISAPPOINTING SEASON COMES TO AN END

(March 14): For a half, it appeared as if the University of Hawaii just might extend what has been -- in my book, anyway -- a highly disappointing men's basketball season.

But an eight-point lead at intermission evaporated in all of 3 and a half minutes of the second half and Boise State went on to post an 80-74 quarterfinal win in the WAC tournament.

Yes, I know that Bob Nash got a late start in recruiting after belatedly being promoted to the head coaching job. But never in my wildest dreams -- nor his, I suspect -- did I envision Hawaii closing out its campaign with seven straight losses and finishing with an 11-19 record.

The Broncos shot a blistering 78.9 percent from the field after intermission, making 15 of 19 field attempts, to overtake Hawaii. Reggie Larry led Boise State with 26 points.

In his final game in a UH uniform, an ailing Matt Gibson had 17 points and five rebounds despite recovering from a bout of food poisoning.

The mercurial 6-5 guard finished his career as Hawaii's ninth all-time scorer with 1,126 points, ninth in assists with 310, sixth in three-point shots with 129 and five in steals with 142.

Other departing seniors include Bobby Nash, Riley Luettgerodt and Jaren Dellinger.

Bottom line: Bob Nash has a lot of recruiting to do this off-season.

DONOVAN: It's official. Jim Donovan is the new athletics director at his alma mater, the University of Hawaii.
Donovan's hiring was formally approved yesterday by the university's Board of Regents.

The 48-year-old former UH football player and associate AD, was given a 5-year contract with an annual base salary in the $240,000 range, plus bonuses.

He succeeds Herman Frazier, who was fired after five and half years on the job, inheriting a 19-sport program with an annual budget of nearly $27 million..

BASEBALL: The UH baseball team opens a three-game road series today at No. 13 UC Irvine. UH's record is 7-9, including 0-5 vs. ranked foes. You can listen to Saturday's and Sunday's games on FoxNews 900 starting at 10 a.m. each day.

VOLLEYBALL: Hawaii will open a two-match series against defending national champion UC Irvine tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center. With a 5-7 record in the MPSF, UH currently occupies the eighth and final playoff spot with 10 matches remaining -- including six on the road.

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