The University of Hawaii basketball team entered the space age on Friday night.
With ample spacing and a share-the-wealth approach, the Rainbow Warriors zoomed to an 81-45 rout of Hawaii Pacific in an exhibition before 1,980 in the Stan Sheriff Center.
The game, which did not count in the standings, was a preview to what the ’Bows can accomplish when they are playing in system.
“We were working on (spacing) a lot in the summer,” said Zigmars Raimo, who led the ’Bows with 20 points. “It just shows on the court. Our spacing is greater. We’re passing the ball. We’re unselfish. We share the ball.”
The ’Bows opened with a unique lineup featuring two point guards (Brocke Stepteau and Drew Buggs), a stretch-4 (Jack Purchase) and a rugged post player (Raimo) along with swingman Brandon Thomas. The ’Bows spread their four-out offense, enabling Stepteau and Buggs to drive the lanes for layups.
Because Stepteau and Purchase are threats from behind the 3-point arc, the Sharks could not pack their defense. Raimo was free to roam the low post. All nine of Raimo’s baskets were launched in the paint.
Raimo and Purchase collaborated on several plays. On one, Purchase sizzled a pass from the top of the key to Raimo for a lay-in. Raimo returned the favor with a slip pass to Purchase cutting to the rim.
“I’ve been playing with Jack for three years now,” Raimo said. “I know exactly where he’s going to be. … I’m not going to lie. I can see in his eyes if he’s going to cut or if he’s going to be behind the 3-point line. I know exactly where he’ll be. I try to give him a great pass to the chest. I know he’s going to make those shots.”
Raimo inspired teammates when he scooped a loose ball near mid-court, then raced for a rare dunk.
“Now you see I can,” Raimo said, smiling.
Guard Eddie Stansberry said Raimo’s jam “was big for us, for sure, especially the first group really set the tone. That dunk got us amped. We were all off our seats. It was definitely momentum.”
During the offseason, Raimo wanted to reduce his weight while maintaining his strength. He lost 15 pounds, and now weighs 227. UH coach Eran Ganot said Raimo’s “positive” plays are results of his reshaped build.
“I’m not a strength/conditioning guy,” Ganot said, “but you can probably jump higher at 230 than you can at 250. It’s nice to see a highlight from him.”
The ’Bows jumped to a 10-2 lead against an HPU team that had difficulty finding its offensive rhythm. The Sharks missed nine of their first 10 shots. Jonathan Janssen, a 6-9 post player who was voted the Pac-West’s preseason player of the year, struggled against the ’Bows’ succession of physical defenders. Janssen was held to nine points on 2-for-6 shooting.
The Sharks, who trailed 41-23 at the intermission, made a run to close to 48-34 with 15:54 to play. But the ’Bows countered with a 25-2 surge to end the suspense. During that run, the ’Bows were able to push the tempo, attack the lanes and, when the Sharks collapsed their coverage, sink open 3s. Purchase finished with 11 points — he converted three 3s — and 10 rebounds.
Stansberry, who was noted as an outside shooter at City College of San Francisco, demonstrated his ball-handling skills on drives.
“I know there’s a little bit more in my game that I can do,” Stansberry said.