Stan Sheriff Center: Hawaii basketball beating No. 2 Kansas is No. 1 in our poll, but you probably knew that

If you know much about Hawaii sports of the past quarter century, you probably figured out before today that the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team upset of No. 2 Kansas on Dec. 30, 1997 would be No. 1 in our voting of the most memorable athletic events at the Stan Sheriff Center since its opening on Oct. 21, 1994.

We recount that game in today’s Star-Advertiser, and there’s a complete list of the top 10 and games that also received votes.

UH has had a long tradition of talented guards. But the Rainbows have never had a starting backcourt as good as Anthony Carter and Alika Smith.

Smith led UH with 22 points in the Kansas win (he also scored 22 in the season-opening win against Indiana) and Carter had 19, all in the second half.

Part of the reason for their success was complementary skill-sets.

Carter was an explosive penetrator who created opportunities for others when not scoring himself. He was also an excellent defender.
“He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t mind making the team the star,” coach Riley Wallace said of Carter, who was an Associated Press All-America honorable mention choice in 1998.

Carter was never known for his 3-point shooting, but he was good enough at everything else to play 13 years in the NBA. He is now an assistant coach with the Miami Heat, the team with which he played his first four years in the NBA after going undrafted.

Smith, though, was proficient from outside. In the two seasons he was paired with Carter, he made 41 and 37% of his 3-pointers while scoring 17.9 and 18.3 points per game.

The son of legendary high school coach Pete Smith went on to coach his alma mater, Kalaheo, to a state championship. He now coaches the girls team at Waiakea.

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Here is the complete list of the Star-Advertiser’s picks for most memorable sports events in the Stan Sheriff Center’s first 25 years (Also receving votes is in order of voting points)

1. Hawaii men’s basketball shocks No. 2 Kansas; Dec. 30, 1997
2. UH’s Tes Whitlock hits buzzer-bomb to beat BYU; Feb. 16, 1995
3. Warriors volleyball beats nemesis Long Beach State for Big West crown; April 20, 2019
4. Yuval Katz leads UH men’s volleyball past UCLA,; March 1, 1996
5. Wahine volleyball win puts Dave Shoji alone at top in coaching wins; Sept. 6, 2013
6. ‘Bows trounce No. 4 Michigan State in basketball season opener; Nov. 19, 2005
7. UH edges down Tulsa again on way to second NCAA hoops tourney in row, Feb. 22, 2002
8. Michigan State stuns 31-0 Wahine in NCAA volleyball regional final, Dec. 8, 1995
9. Star-studded Lakers beat Golden State in preseason; Oct. 12, 2003
10. Biggest crowd in Wahine basketball history shows for Nani Cockett’s senior night, Feb. 14, 1998
Also receiving votes: Vince Carter’s 29 leads USA over Canada on way to Sydney Olympics, 2000; UH hoops win over Nevada sets tone for 28-6 season, 2015; Bobby Nash’s deep shot beats Oral Roberts, 2004; Days after father’s death, Miah Ostrowski nearly leads UH basketball past No. 25 Utah State, 2011; USC edges Wahine volleyball in NCAA third round, 2011; Matt Lojeski’s Senior Night 35 sends Riley Wallace out a winner, 2007; Arizona edges San Diego State in Diamond Head Classic final, 2012; Jason Carter’s 21 helps UH edge Nebraska in NIT game, 2004