LOS ANGELES -- Last year, Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar said opponents needed a baseball bat to stop ASU junior forward Ike Diogu. On Thursday, he called for military support.
In response to UA head coach Lute Olson's comments about providing help against Diogu, Romar said, "He had to be referring to the National Guard because I have not seen anybody stop Ike Diogu."
In just two years, Diogu has established himself as perhaps the Pac-10's most respected player, mixing the right blend of tenacity and unselfishness to cause headaches for opposing coaches.
The Playboy preseason All-American has scored in double figures in all 59 games of his collegiate career, averaging 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds the last two seasons. His 59-game, double-digit scoring streak is the longest in the nation.
Even Hall of Fame coaches like Olson, who has produced 47 NBA draft picks, are taking notice of Diogu's dominance.
"If you have to deal with him one on one, you have a serious problem," Olson said. "I think he may be the best player I've seen at being able to rebound his own shot and draw fouls. He just has a great feel for the game.
"He has been in a difficult situation because everyone knows you can't stop him one on one. You have to bring help. He has to be frustrated at times, but you won't see that from him, which I think is a real compliment to him."
UCLA head coach Ben Howland claims Diogu's impact on the Pac-10 is evident in the way teams guard him.
"Every time he gets the ball, he gets double-teamed," Howland said. "There's no question he's an NBA player. Ike is one of the better big kids in the country. I wish he was a Bruin."
Despite heavy speculation that Diogu would turn pro after last year's 10-17 finish, ASU head coach Rob Evans wasn't surprised that he returned for his junior season.
"He's a very loyal person," Evans said. "Ike is going to make his decision. Nobody is going to make his decision for him. And he made the decision to come to Arizona State."
The sparkplug on a much deeper team than last season, Diogu needs help from ASU's perimeter shooters to prevent the post from becoming a traffic jam. The Sun Devils boast a handful of potential backcourt starters in sophomores Kevin Kruger and Bryson Krueger, junior Tyrone Jackson and seniors Jason Braxton and Stevie Moore.
"I really have to utilize our outside guards and pass out of double teams better," Diogu said. "When they start doubling, I'm going to start kicking it out and make guys like Steve, Kevin and Bryson knock down open shots, so that it will eventually start opening stuff up for me. I have faith in all of my teammates."
Most of the increased respect for Diogu is a byproduct of his humbleness, not his staggering numbers. Diogu insists that it's just part of his personality.
"It has to do a lot with the way you handle yourself on the court," Diogu said. "There are great players. Some who like to do a lot of trash talking might not get the same respect as me. If you just handle yourself businesslike, good things happen for you."
Reach the reporter at brian.gomez@asu.edu.
