Court Sense

Great start to the season for Gib Arnold’s Rainbow Warriors, with wins on back-to-back nights against Montana State and Cal State Fullerton. UH also got off to a 2-0 start last year (hard to imagine now, I know) before falling to a solid Nothern Colorado team in the finale of the Rainbow Classic played at midnight. Well, UH is back in ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-off Marathon, with an 11 p.m. local start tomorrow vs. Central Michigan (the late start is […]

Interesting tidbit about Hawaii’s  77-59 win over Montana State last night, which made UH coach Gib Arnold a winner in his first game: the last UH coach to win his debut was … you guessed it … Gib’s father, Frank Arnold, in 1984. The elder Arnold beat Cal State Fullerton (coincidentally, UH’s opponent tonight) 79-76 to start what would be a four-win season. Riley Wallace succeeded Frank Arnold in 1987 and lost at Vanderbilt, 91-62. Bob Nash, Wallace’s successor, lost […]

It’s time. Gib Arnold makes his debut at 7 p.m. as a Division I head coach in the 47th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic, when he leads the Hawaii men’s basketball team against Montana State of the Big Sky Conference. UH follows with Cal State Fullerton tomorrow and Central Michigan on Monday. Those two teams play each other tonight at about 9:30 p.m., following the UH game. A reminder, I’ll be doing live updates throughout the Rainbow Classic on twitter @brian_mcinnis. […]

The Hawaii starting five for tomorrow’s season opener against Montana State is apparently set. There was a consistent first group in today’s last full practice before the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. The battle at center has gone to sophomore Vander Joaquim over senior Douglas Kurtz. Joaquim is joined by Hiram Thompson (PG), Zane Johnson (SG), Joston Thomas (SF) and Bill Amis (PF). ——— UH might get some additional relief in the backcourt this weekend in the form of junior Anthony […]

Serra High (Calif.) senior power forward Ronnie Stevens signed and sent his national letter of intent to play for Hawaii for the 2011-12 season. Comments from UH coach Gib Arnold on Stevens should be forthcoming soon. No word yet on Morningside (Calif.) senior point guard Gerry Blakes, but he is expected in sometime between now and Wednesday. ——— Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) forward Damiene Cain, a primary UH target during this early period, could be going to Colorado, according to Insidesocal.com. ——— […]

The good people at ESPN Regional Television decided to get a jump start on the public release of their 2011 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Field today. This morning, they announced six of the eight teams in the tournament, including host Hawaii. Here’s who they are, and how they finished the 2009-10 season: >> Clemson (Atlantic Coast Conference): NCAA Tournament first round. 21-11 overall. >> Long Beach State (Big West Conference): Big West tournament title game. 17-16 overall. >> Texas […]

We’re one day off from the start of the early (fall) signing period. Hawaii currently has two players expected to sign — Morningside (Calif.) High point guard Gerry Blakes and Serra High (Calif.) power forward Ronnie Stevens. After his verbal commitment, Stevens initially said he would sign with UH among friends in the late (spring) signing period. But after talking it over with his parents, the 6-9 Stevens elected to get things out of the way as soon as possible […]

It was a good day to be allowed back in the gym. Hawaii coach Gib Arnold gave the OK for media to attend once again in the Rainbow Warriors’ first session since their 83-55 win over Chaminade on Saturday. Today marked the national start of regular-season college basketball games, though Hawaii doesn’t tip off until the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic on Friday vs. Montana State. Arnold called it “the first day of the second season.” ——— The ‘Bows tried out […]