Things have gone about as well as Eran Ganot could have hoped through the team’s first four conference games. The University of Hawaii got a split on their opening road trip and then picked up a pair of home wins last week to start the Big West season with a 3-1 record.
The ‘Bows (12-5, 3-1) have won three straight after their opening loss at Long Beach State. The most recent victory was a nail biter on Saturday, as Hawaii did just enough to hold off UC Santa Barbara, 77-76.
It wasn’t a pretty finish after Hawaii was up by as many as 16 in the second half. Some missed free throws, some costly fouls and some easing off the gas pedal let the Gauchos back in the game. But the ‘Bows still made just enough plays to come out on top and have some solid momentum heading into a pair of home contests on the horizon.
With different faces seeming to shine every game, Saturday was Gibson Johnson’s evening. The big man helped Hawaii to an efficient offensive showing, going 8 for 9 from the floor for an 18-point outing, one off his season high.
Overall, the frontcourt trio of Johnson, Mike Thomas and Jack Purchase combined to shoot 14 for 18 from the field, accounting for 35 of Hawaii’s 77 points.
Johnson can sometimes fall victim to foul trouble, so it was good to see him stay on the floor for a healthy minutes dosage. Johnson has scored double figures seven times so far this season and Hawaii is 7-0 in those contests. Keeping him on the floor and involved is an important part of the successful recipe that UH has been cooking up to start the 2017-18 season.
Despite giving up the large lead, Hawaii has continued to come away with wins in close contests. It typically takes a while for a team to figure out how to win close games and the ‘Bows shouldn’t really be very good at it just yet. But here they are with three wins and no losses in games decided by three points or less, plus a win in their only overtime contest.
Junior guard Sheriff Drammeh continues to be both indispensable and frustrating. His 11.8 points per game are second on the team behind Thomas and his 23 three-pointers are just one behind both Purchase and Brocke Stepteau for the team lead.
But in the final two minutes of Saturday’s game, he had a turnover, he fouled a three-point shooter (who sank all three free throws) and he missed a pair of free throws that allowed the Gauchos to have the slightest breath of life with 15 seconds left. It didn’t cost Hawaii the game, but they are mistakes that have continued to exist as Drammeh’s role has expanded.
They need him to be his hyper pesky and hyper active self to be at their best, but there remain instances when being a little more deliberate and conservative would be helpful. It’s interesting to be saying that about a kid who essentially needed to be forced to shoot the ball two seasons ago, but Drammeh will probably continue to be the team’s most electric and frustrating player all year.
Hawaii next takes the floor against UC Davis (11-6, 2-1) at 6:59 p.m. on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
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David Simon can be reached at dsimon@thegardenisland.com.
