Laura Beeman insists her excitement for her Hawaii’s women’s basketball team this year isn’t any different than in her 12 previous seasons as head coach. The three-time Big West Coach of the Year has a team loaded with her top six scorers from a season ago and a mix of newcomers and players returning from injury that are all vying for playing time in a fierce practice gym that has been competitive for the past month. After two impressive exhibition victories, including a 42-point win over Chaminade on Saturday, the Rainbow Wahine will make their regular-season debut this weekend in Oregon — at Portland on Thursday and at Portland State on Saturday.
Beeman’s team, which won the regular season last season with a 17-3 record, was picked to win the conference again this season. On paper, it is unquestionably one of the best teams Hawaii has had. In order to make the most of such a talented and deep squad, Beeman tempered expectations a bit on Monday before the team left for the continent on Tuesday.
“I think the biggest thing is going to be as the season goes on, if we do what we’re supposed to do, does that pressure bust pipes? And that’s what we don’t want to happen,” Beeman said. “Potential is such a huge word, and I think it sets you up for failure. We have the pieces, right, but we have to put it together on the floor.
I am excited for this season, but I don’t think I’m more or less excited than in previous years.” One thing she pointed to was UH .