Postcard from Hawaii

LAHAINA, Hawaii – All four members of Gonzaga University’s men’s basketball team coaching staff have their wives and kids with them here at the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

And while their families have taken advantage of recreational opportunities that abound on this Pacific island, the coaches and players have been a bit preoccupied.

“Spare time?” Bulldogs assistant Leon Rice asked. “That’s like spare change. We don’t have any.”

Which is to be expected when your basketball team is scheduled to play three games in three days.

According to Rice, GU’s coaching staff and players spent their first four days in Paradise rushing from film sessions to practice to games – with a few hurried meals and a few hours of sleep thrown in.

He did add, however, that he and head coach Mark Few have been able to slip into the water for a couple of quick dips.

“Eventually, you get the hay in the barn,” Rice added.

Today, however, will be a day of rest, relaxation and recreation for the Zags, who finished second in this year’s Maui after losing to Connecticut 65-63 in the title game.

“It’s been all business up until now,” Rice said prior to the UConn matchup. “But tomorrow we let the kids have some fun.”

The team will spend all of Thursday in Maui before flying home on Friday.

Steve Bergum