The morning after his Bruins notched their most significant
victory of the season, UCLA coach Ben Howland crouched in front of
the television in preparation for his next challenge: devising a
game-plan to contain Arizona State’s Ike Diogu.
So far, Howland is not optimistic.
“No one matches up with Ike,” Howland said.
“There’s not one person who can guard him. That’s
not just our team. He kills everyone.”
If UCLA hopes to build on the momentum from its three-game
winning streak tonight at Arizona State, holding Diogu, the
Pac-10’s leading scorer and rebounder, in check will be a
key.
As a sturdy 6-foot-8 junior with a knack for scoring around the
rim or from the perimeter, Diogu averages 22.3 points per game to
go along with 10.4 rebounds. Initially, the responsibility for
guarding him will fall on the broad shoulders of starting center
Michael Fey, but Howland said the Bruins (9-3, 3-1 Pac-10) will
likely double and triple-team him.
When asked whether the 7-foot Fey possessed any defensive
advantages over Diogu, Howland responded tersely.
“No.”
Fey, who said Tuesday he has not seen Diogu play on television
this season, might be glad to have shielded his eyes. Had he
watched the Sun Devil standout in action this season, he likely
would have witnessed one of Diogu’s six double-doubles or
three 30-point games.
“He’s a do-it-all guy,” Fey said.
“He’s getting to the line; he’s getting rebounds,
and he’s getting points. He’s leading their
team.”
Thanks to Diogu’s contributions and the development of
perimeter threats Kevin Kruger and Steve Moore, Arizona State
(13-2, 2-1) has excelled so far this year. Picked to finish last in
the Pac-10 before the season, the Sun Devils have already won two
of their first three conference games, including their first
victory over Stanford since 1998.
UCLA, too, has been a pleasant surprise, registering wins over
Michigan, Oregon and Washington in recent weeks.
The Bruins can maintain their grip on first place in the
conference standings by earning their first victory since 2002 at
Arizona State tonight, and their first since 1997 at No. 17 Arizona
(12-3, 2-1) on Saturday.
“If we can at least come out with a split, that would be
ideal,” senior Dijon Thompson said, “but with the
confidence level of the team, we’re shooting for two wins.
Especially watching these two play other Pac-10 teams,
they’re vulnerable right now.”
Tonight, UCLA’s hopes will rest on slowing down Diogu, who
gouged the Bruins for 27 points and 13 rebounds last year in Tempe,
Ariz.
Howland noted that since that game, Diogu has improved his
range, his passing, and his shot-blocking.
“Without question, he’s a first-team
All-American,” Howland said. “What doesn’t he
do?”
Talented big men have tormented the Bruins in each of their
three losses. Boston College’s Craig Smith tallied 21 points
against UCLA this past month, while Michigan State center, Paul
Davis, and forward, David Lucas of Oregon State, torched the Bruins
for 18 and 21 points respectively.
There’s no denying the match-up problems Diogu poses for
UCLA, but the team is confident it can withstand his onslaught.
“I believe in our big guys,” senior guard Brian
Morrison said. “They’re going to get the job
done.”