THE IMPACT OF JANUS
In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of doors, gates, and transitions. The relevance of Janus is even more impactful as the month of January is named after the two face King of the Sacred Rites. As the calendar flips from 2022 to 2023, it's a transition of mindsets for UH with conference play, as the 'Bows were 3-6 heading into the month a year ago, and this year, they're 4-7. As January unfolded in 2022, UH went 5-2 and followed it up by going 7-1 in February. After a rough start of 1-6 in November this season, UH went 3-1 in December to close out 2022. Can the 'Bows take their current passage and repeat its success from a year ago?
 
WEBSITE BE BOOMING DOT COM
When the time comes, you have to be the one who steps up as a trendsetter. Against Cal Poly on December 31^st, UH struggled from the field, shooting a combined 28% and 17% from three-point range. The one bright spot to step up was graduate center Kallin Spiller, who went 6-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-5 from long range. Spiller was the only UH player to hit a three-pointer against the Mustangs, leading to her season-high of 18 points and a new career best of three three-pointers in a game. If it wasn't for Spiller, who knows how the game would have swayed, plus it would have been the first time since a matchup with No. 12 Texas A&M in 2015 that UH could have been held without a three-pointer.
 
I GOT THE KEYS
So far this season, three key factors have led UH to success. The first two are centered around defense, and one contributes to the other. When opponents are held to under 40% from the floor, UH is 4-1; in three of those games, their opponents were held to under 60 points, producing a 3-0 record. An additional key has come from the free throw line as UH stands at 3-1 when they shoot more from the line than their opponents. Most recently, in their poor shooting performance against Cal Poly, where they shot 28% from the floor, the 'Bows went 23-of-32 from the line compared to 5-of-6 by the Mustangs.
 
TAKING MY TALENTS BACK HOME
It's well documented on the role reversal of sophomore Lily Wahinekapu as she played for and won Big West Freshman of the Year honors last season with Cal State Fullerton. Saturday will be her first game against her former team, as she enters the game as the 'Bows second-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game. Last season in two games, Wahinekapu led the Titans in scoring against UH with 12 and nine-point performances. Wahinekapu enjoyed her time in Fullerton but came to UH to play with her younger sister, freshman Jovi Lefotu.