‘Iolani Classic prepared Low for this UNC challenge
March 27th, 2008 by WesCHARLOTTE, N.C. — Almost everybody, it seems, has a hard time seeing Washington State beating or even staying close to No. 1-ranked North Carolina in today’s Sweet 16 East Regional semifinal.
And I can see why.
On paper and on film, just the pedigree and caliber of athletes seems to set the Tar Heels apart from the Cougars, allowing them to play a style that is hard to match up with.
So I tried to figure out myself how it might be possible for Wazzu to pull off the monumental upset, and in doing so my mind keeps going back to the ‘Iolani Prep Classic. It’s the same type of scenario Hawai’i teams face going up against Mainland powerhouses like Fairfax, Montrose Christian, Rice.
On paper, and even during the warm-ups, it’s hard to imagine the local teams having any kind of shot of knocking off or hanging with these basketball factories.
But having watched Derrick Low and ‘Iolani match some of these juggernauts step-for-step from 2000 to 2003, it gives me an idea of how it might happen.
In Low’s freshman year, the Raiders lost De La Salle by a couple points, 41-39 or something. His sophomore year, they lost to Fairfax, 61-59. In Low’s senior year, they fell to No. 7-ranked Montrose Christian only after a 3-point buzzer beater in overtime.
So, how did they do it, despite the seemingly overwhelming mismatches? Well, pretty much the same way Washington State has been doing it: Get back on defense to slow the fast break, dictate the tempo by turning it into a deliberate, possession-by-possession game, take care of the basketball and take good shots.
I don’t know if other teammates like Kyle Weaver, Taylor Rochestie and Robbie Cowgill had the same kind of exposure to big-time high school basketball, but for as for Low, I think that early exposure helped prepare him for moments like today.
When you are 14 years old and playing against De La Salle, or 15 years old and playing Fairfax, and then taking teams like this down to the final basket, it has to instill confidence that no challenge is insurmountable.
One difference might be the atmosphere of playing before a cozy home crowd of 1,050 at ‘Iolani Gym compared to 18,500 hostile fans wearing Carolina blue. But hey, as Wazzu coach Tony Bennett pointed out, playing at Arizona or Pauley Pavilion is no walk in the park, either.
So while the media and fans here and around the country struggle to find reasons why Low and Washington State might have a chance against Michael Jordan’s alma mater today, I found mine.
It comes from a December, 2001 memory of watching a 15-year-old kid from Hawai’i sink two free throws to tie mighty Fairfax, 59-59, with nine seconds left, against the nation’s No. 18-ranked boys basketball team.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I agree The Iolani classic’s prepared D-Low but i beleived it prepared him for the D1 Level at that time. I Beleive staying 4 years and all the Hard times he had w/ injuries plus the Pac 10 competion for 4 years helped him for this time in his career.D Low is a special talent it is no surprise he helped Wazzou from the bottom of the Pac 10 to among the elite in the conference. North Carolina is beatable and we all know anything can happen. Good luck to the cougars especially OUR Local BOY!!!
March 27th, 2008 at 10:06 am
OK, I see where your going with the whole “he’s played against top talent and held his own” but in every instance that you mentioned his team came up short. I would love nothing more than to see D-Low sink the game winning trey Western Kentucky style in the end to win it… But when I watched Wazzu play on tv both times against a solid UCLA team and so-so ‘Zona team they struggled at the end to make shots and ended up losing both on the Road and at home by big margins considering how they play. I just don’t think they have enough fire power to stick with them.
Ultimately, D-Low is going to have to play the game of his life tonite if the Coug’s are going to advance. Here’s to hoping that happens but I wouldn’t put money on it…
March 28th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Aloha Wes,
Thank you for haiving enough foresight in traveling to the mainland and covering this truly monumental event. Low had an outstanding college career. it was good for Hawaii and all the kids that are working hard towards their goals, especially in a sport like basketball where traditionally, kids from Hawaii don’t usually excel. We, the people of Hawaii, needed Low to do well, because if he couldn’t do it, i don’t know who from Hawaii could!
Best wishes to Derrick and his dad, and good luck to Derrick on his new career!
Again Wes, thank you for the truly awesome coverage!
Mahalo!
March 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I am amazed on how Derrick is able to get his shot off against longer, quicker , and more athletic players. He may not make all of his shots. But he rarely gets his shots blocked. He makes smart decisions, rarely turns over the ball, and takes care of the ball. He is able to get his shot off by properly using screens, setting up his man, and using his fundamentally sound skills (ball fakes, jab steps, etc.) to create separation.
Derrick may not be the most athletic player in the country, be he may be one of the smartest basketball players in the nation. His basketball IQ is off the charts.