Expectations were high this season for Washington State junior guard Derrick Low.

He didn't disappoint, earning all-Pacific 10 Conference men's basketball team honors, his first all-league recognition since earning Pac-10 All-Freshman honorable mention in 2004.

"It was a personal goal of mine," said Low, a 2004 'Iolani graduate, of the all-conference honor. "But I try to set goals high, so in case you fall short, it's still pretty good."

Even after a change in coaches, from former coach Dick Bennett to his son Tony Bennett, and switching from point guard to combo guard, Low led the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game, and he also averaged 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He recorded 42 steals and five blocks, and made 40.1 percent (63 of 157) of his 3-pointers.

"It's an honor to be recognized, but a lot of the credit goes to my teammates," said Low, who was joined on the all-conference team by teammate Kyle Weaver.

Bennett was named the Coach of the Year.

Low, a three-time Advertiser State Player of the Year, said being selected all-conference was one of several personal goals he set at the start of the season.

One was to stay healthy after missing time the past two seasons because of injuries. The others were to play well, to finish high in conference play, and to make it past the first round in the Pac-10 tournament.

He and the Cougars accomplished all of the above. Washington State (24-6, 13-5) finished second in the conference regular season and earned a first-round bye in the Pac-10 tournament.

"I think part of our team's success led to them paying more attention to the players on the team," he said.

Playing in Thursday's quarterfinal round ensures the Cougars, who had their best Pac-10 showing since 1983, will advance farther into the postseason than ever since Low arrived in 2004.

Low said the 11th-ranked Cougars have a "hard path ahead of us" with a quarterfinal game against either Washington or Arizona State. "I think we have it in our team," he said.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.