In ‘Iolani School Gym almost 38 years ago, basketball fans in Hawai’i got their first look at an average-sized high school point guard named Bobby Hurley.
Coached by his dad, Bob Hurley, Sr., and with his brother, Dan, as a teammate, Hurley scored a game-high 21 points in a 105-43 opening-round victory over Leilehua, which featured future NFL running back Adrian Murrell as a starting guard.
On Thursday, Bobby Hurley returns to Honolulu as head coach of Arizona State University, which takes on Hawai’i in a big nonconference showdown at 7 p.m. in BankOh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game will be televised live statewide on Spectrum Sports Channel 12 and broadcast live via radio on ESPN 1420AM.
All military personnel are eligible for a 50-percent discount off tickets by presenting their military ID (active or retired). At halftime, the historic 442nd Infantry Regiment will be honored, with 28 members being brought to the court.
Arizona State is 3-1 coming off a 75-62 home victory over Georgia State. The Warriors, meanwhile, are 4-1 coming off last Saturday’s 68-62 win over Utah Tech for their second straight Outrigger Rainbow Classic Championship.
“I was born in Philly, but grew up in New Jersey, so the Hurley name was a big deal,” UH coach Eran Ganot said. “I remember going to Seton Hall camps, and Danny Hurley played there. And Bob Hurley Sr., we would watch his St. Anthony teams play in the Tournament of Champions. So that name is a big deal nationally as we know with their success, in so many different ways. But certainly growing up in New Jersey, (they) were a big deal.
“(Bobby Hurley) has had a good stretch there, and they’re poised to have a really good this year. They have a great point of attack, great depth, great length and (defense) inside, they cause a lot of problems with their length around the rim, blocking shots and creating steals. (Also) getting in the paint, they’re a good shooting team, a lot of weapons. You look for challenges, and certainly this will be a challenge.”
As for the Warriors, they have looked impressive in running off four straight victories after a heartbreaking 60-59 defeat at Oregon in the season opener.
Grad transfer center Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson was named Most Outstanding Player of the Rainbow Classic after averaging 16 points and seven rebounds in the three games, and grad tranfser guard Dre Bullock also was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring a game-high 23 points and five rebounds.
Johnson said the Hawai’i fans (5,211 tickets issued) also played a big role in the team’s Classic success.
“When we have big moments, being able to get the crowd involved, it’s one of the biggest keys to winning,” Johnson said. “I think a lot of times the crowd enjoys being able to watch a fun game, and a fun show. But I don’t think they all realize … they think we have a difference on them, but when they bring the energy, it’s a whole different game for us mentally, and especially for the other team mentally. So this week, it was pretty fun.”
The Warriors won Saturday despite starting senior forward Harry Rouhliadeff sitting out due to an apparent head injury after a collision in Friday’s victory over Manhattan. Senior returnee Gytis Nemeiksa stepped in and contributed seven points and five rebounds against Manhattan and 12 points and seven boards versus Utah Tech.
“I just feel like we’re really strong as a team, and we trust each other, and that really helps,” Nemeiksa said. “We’re feeling really good as a team right now … just having a good chemistry in the locker room, and we’re going to transfer that to the court.”
