Jeremy Lay is still trying to figure out the lay of the land in NCAA Division I basketball.

For now, he is the sparkplug — on and off the court — for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

"I just like to have fun, man," the 6-foot junior point guard said. "I'm the one always talking to my teammates, trying to fire them up, or joking with them if we need a laugh. But once the whistle blows and the game starts, I'm serious. I want to do what ever I can to help this team win."

Lay, for the most part, has done his part for the 'Bows. Hawai'i, which is off to a 2-2 start, will host New Mexico in a non-conference game tomorrow at 8:05 p.m.

Lay is expected to play his usual role — energizer on offense and agitator on defense.

Through the first four games of his NCAA Division I career, Lay is averaging 12.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He also leads the team with nine 3-pointers and six steals.

While his nine 3s in four games might seem modest, it is an improvement over last season's woeful Hawai'i shooting from long range.

No player on last season's Hawai'i team had a four-game stretch with as many as nine 3-pointers.

"I just want to make sure the other team has to guard me, so that can open up the middle for our big men," Lay said. "I feel like I haven't been shooting as consistent as I would like, so I know it's going to get better."

Lay played the last two seasons at Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, where he left as the program's all-time leader in scoring and assists.

He is now one of two players from Oklahoma City, Okla., on the Hawai'i roster. Senior forward Bill Amis grew up across town from Lay. Former Hawai'i guard Matt Gibson was also an Oklahoma City product.

"There's some good players back home," Amis said. "But to have three guys from Oklahoma City come all the way out here to play in just the last few years is pretty amazing. It feels good."

Lay played with and against some of the best players in Oklahoma during the summers on the AAU circuit, including No. 1 NBA Draft pick Blake Griffin, and current Kansas freshman sensation Xavier Henry.

"Being able to play with a guy like Blake Griffin was a blessing," Lay said. "Playing with all those guys made me better."

It also made him fearless.

Lay said he honed his tenacious defensive skills while playing against bigger players in Oklahoma.

"Defense is the most important aspect of the game to me," he said. "If you put your mind to it, you can stop anybody, no matter how big or small."

Lay has also displayed a never surrender attitude in his young Hawai'i career. Several times already, he has chased down opposing players from behind for steals.

In an 81-75 loss to Northern Colorado, he scored 12 points in the final two minutes to help the 'Bows cut a 17-point deficit down to two.

"His engine is always running," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "He still has a lot to learn as far as getting accustomed to Division I basketball, but you can see his future is bright because of how hard he works."

NOTES

Junior guard Dwain Williams has not practiced at all this week and his status for tomorrow's game is in question. Nash said Williams was feeling ill on Monday, but also said "there are other issues."

Tomorrow's game is part of a basketball doubleheader with the UH women's team. The Hawai'i women will play Arizona State at 5 p.m.

Fans with tickets to the men's game can also attend the women's game. Ticket prices for the men's game are $26 lower level, $18 adults upper level, $16 senior citizens upper level, $13 Super Rooter, $5 students (ages 4 to 18 and UH students) upper level. Parking is $5.