December 24, 2019

Have you ever heard of the old movie, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly? Well, the UH men’s basketball team experienced all of that in the first two games of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Sundays have worked out well for both the Men’s and Wahine basketball teams this season, and the ‘Bows got their fourth Sunday win of the young season, defeating UTEP 67-63, in one of the most exciting finishes of a game in years.

In front of the largest crowd of the year (4,292), UH trailed for most of the game, before Samuta Avea decided enough was enough. Muta went on his own 7-0 run to give UH its first lead of the 2nd half and he did it in a variety of ways. A 3-pointer and then a SAM JAM! Yes, you heard it here first, a name for Avea dunks. UTEP reclaimed the lead before Bernardo Da Silva let everyone know, he got game, with 17 points. BDS had a beautiful spin move with 90 seconds left to give Hawai’i another lead. Then a Drewdrive (yes, you heard this here first as well) and a few free throws, and what a win it was to advance to the semis.

The good was the comeback, the never quit attitude. the bad was the free throw shooting, UH was 12-25 for 48% from the line, and that almost cost them the game.

I gave you the good and the bad. Well, here’s the ugly…

It was the combined shooting of 4 starters in the HADC semis vs No. 21 Washington. Who I heard had an excellent host while here…but enough about me. Muta, Carper, Buggs and Steady Eddie shot 9-49, a combined 21%. Stansberry set a school record, attempting seventeen 3 pointers. He only made 1. But you know what, I still love his game and I’ll take him taking big shots any game. This game didn’t define him. He’ll be back and he will shoot lights out again soon. I’m glad Hawaii played hard again even though this comeback fell short, losing to Washington 72-61.

This team continues to impress me with the way they compete with anyone in the country, playing two Top 25 teams already (Oregon and Washington). They never give up on a game no matter the circumstances. And they’re doing it without their head coach, Eran Ganot, who should be back any day now.

Have faith in this team, they’re the real deal.

By Gary Dickman