Much-needed rest
As the headline of today’s blog implies, today was a break for the 3-0 Rainbow Warriors following their claim of the 47th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic tournament title.
Well, a break from practice, maybe, but the players still had to report for classes in the morning.
“We all got class. Coach Arnold’s going to be out there checking. Himself. Personally, is what he says,” forward Bill Amis said following the 65-62 win over Central Michigan early this morning.
They only had a handful of hours to sleep before class. Such are the pitfalls of being on ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon. But Eamonn Brennan, who moderated the entire Marathon on ESPN.com, was impressed with the Hawaii crowd — and especially the noise they brought — throughout the game.
Almost the entire lower bowl of the Stan Sheriff Center was packed with a standing, noisy “Blackout” crowd of about 3,000.
“It was wonderful, it was wonderful,” Arnold said. “It was fun.They kept us going, and when we really needed them, they gave us that extra energy. It was a fun crowd to play in front of, and it was fun to see the students out. I really hope the students continue to come, because they’re such a big part of us building that program, and I really appreciate those guys spending this night with us.”
What did those of you who were at the game think of the atmosphere?
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UH has two days starting tomorrow to prepare for Central Arkansas, which the Rainbows play on Friday at 7:30 p.m., following the Rainbow Wahine basketball season opener vs. Cal State Northridge at 5 p.m.
Check tomorrow’s Star-Advertiser for a wrap-up story on the Rainbow Classic, and the myriad ways UH pulled out victories.
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Update: Word is that Morningside (Calif.) High point guard Gerry Blakes could sign a national letter of intent with the Rainbows tomorrow, on the final day of the fall (early) signing period.
Thanks for doing this blog, Brian.
Yeah, man . . . real good how the Rainbow Warriors are startin’ up; can’t ask for anything more right now, 3-0, wHoo Hooo! I like how the guys go for, what a Grease likes to call, responsible three-point attempts. Was a pleasure to see yesterday.
Really like how Coach Gib maintains the situation; very alert, very active coach. Can’t wait for Diamond Head tourney! MORE BLACKOUTS! THEY LOOK COOL AND THEY ARE THE THING!!!!!!!!!!!!
I overheard a fan say “looks like just drunks and students here”. If the bowl were just students the energy would 100% the whole game-like other programs. In any case this warriors are fantastic. Hiram is a great leader and really creates “team”. Great job on this blog appreciate your inside the team info.
Brian,
Great job on covering the Basketball Bows! What is/was the cause of what has held up the signing of Gerry Blakes? He made an early verbal commitment and sounded like he was sold on playing in Hawaii.
Personally,
The atmosphere ALONE is why I have been coming to these 11pm games since it started three years ago.
The old fuddy duddies are at home and the the 18-35 year old demographic RULES the arena!!!!
I FULLY understand that UH is not in a position to turn EVERY home game into a general admission deal with $10.00 tickets as Jim Donovan is facing a $10,000,000.00 hole, but it’s not ethically right in the spirit of college athletics to have home basketball games rival the silence at Sinclair Library.
I’m 27 years old and I get it. The older fans are obviously loyal otherwise why would they keep buying season tickets, but they need to realize what the deal is and where they are at.
The students last night were fantastic!!!! Jumping up and down, dancing, yelling un-Godly things at the CMU players… 😆 … but no one got hurt and a good time was had by all. It was a sight that almost brought tears to my eyes. To see UHM students shoulder to shoulder in unison was beautiful.
I hope the students realize they OWN that section and it’s free.
UH MANOA STUDENTS!!! UH BASKETBALL AND UH ATHLETICS NEEDS YOUR SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s a terrible attitude. Quite smug indeed. VERY ignorant.
How many arrests were there last night??? 0.
How many people got kicked out??? 0.
Beer was served but no one was out of control.
VERY IGNORANT COMMENT and I cannot believe these people even bother going to live sporting events.
If they want a sterile environment, the UH tennis season starts soon I think. 🙄
Brian,
Do you know the details as to why such a poor schedule for the Rainbow Wahine?
I kind of understand the 5pm time for Friday night, but Saturday is just unbelieveable. There is a football game and there will be hardly anyone there, no band, no cheerleaders, no nothing and on the one day when they could get some people in the arena to support the Wahine, there are no games on Sunday!!!!!!
Then we go back to the work week on Monday with another game right as people are getting off work.
I don’t get it… 🙄
Pretty good zone defense yesterday, collapsing on the shooters. Thomas is finding it a bit harder to go to the basket than against Chaminade. I saw his close in shots were blocked at least two times.
I think that Hawaii has showed they are tenacious team that has the ability to shoot the ball. They are a young team, with lots of talent that just need to play together more and I think they’ll be fine. I definitely don’t think that Hawaii is the last place team in the WAC. If they can finish at .500 I’ll be happy. I was also impressed with the good turnout by the students last night at the game and hope they can continue to support the Warriors throughout the season. With 3 days rest let’s hope they can come out strong against a Central Arkansas team!
Kazz,
You should have been around during the Fab 5 years. Full arena with the students sitting courtside opposite the benches and under the home basket. Talk about loud. Wasn’t here last night even though I have season tix. Was there last year, can’t remember about the year before. But the noise levels don’t compare to back in the day.
Didn’t go mainly because of my age, the start time and I’m still working. Did stay up to watch.
If the student section isn’t full on Friday, I hope you address the students that showed up Monday but were no shows. Many weren’t true fans but were there to get face time on National TV. I truly feel the students energy should drive the crowd noise. The athletes are their classmates representing them, the school first, then the State.
Kazz,
Timing could be better for the Saturday game, yes, but the Wahine do play Oregon State on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Bruddah Kazz,
I’m with you on the fact that our boys need us out there to cheer them on. Hate when I get people complaining, saying sit down and be quiet….pulease, I tell em why no you get up off your okole and get into the game, cause ainokea. We want to be recognized on the national stage, well then that means us fans need to show support and come game time, it’s time for just buckaloose and get nawts!!! Now I not talking idiotic nawts, but the good fun heckling and screaming your lungs out to get that extra energy boost going. It really does help having that 6th man on the court or 12th guy on the field. As a player you really feed off the energy of the crowd and it helps give you that extra umph on the court, field, or whatever. This team will bring the noise just by the way they play on the court, so as fans why not bring the loudspeaker and crank the volume up to full blast cheering on our Warrior Boys!
Both basketballs will have a bench this year, greatly missed last year. Hiram and Keisha played with heart last year but minutes got to them. Bench play will be key for both BB teams, cannot only play them at garbage time.
BMC, the atmosphere was electric.
UH needs to find a way to get this same vibe to regularly scheduled games. Some way, some how, if the students can get a few more sections in the lower bowl it could become a huge advantage. Perhaps put them right behind the visitor bench and let them unleash hell.
WE NEED THE STUDENTS AT THE GAME, ATHLETIC DEPT NEEDS TO REALLY PUSH STUDENT PARTICIPATION, MONDAY NITE WAS A GREAT TIME FOR ALL, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET STUDENTS LOWER BOWL SEATING FRONT ROW,WHERE THEY BELONG, YELLING,STANDING,AND HAVING A BALL.!!
Love the energy this team brings to the floor every night. As Gib Arnold said, we will play with passion & energy & he’s right. I also love the fact that Gib is not afraid to play his freshmen players, unlike Riley or Bob who would hardly ever play the younger players & sometimes stick to 7 players max for the whole game. That’s why the game has changed & we got a new coach that understands that.
Brian,
Mahalo for the info. I thought I read they played OSU on Monday, but I guess I read it wrong! 😳
Things to love about Monday night’s game (I watched in WA where it was Tuesday morning):
Lots of substitutions and players answering the call;
Coach applying pressure on CMU’s last throw-ins;
Underclassmen doing so well in tough key spots;
Variety of defenses dictated by what worked;
Coach sitting Thompson and the other guy after the technical/scuffle until they cooled off;
Great spirit in the arena, off the court and on;
Breaking even or better the last five minutes of both halves.
Right on coaches! Go Bows!
Brian,
I have season tix for the men’s bb. Do you know if they’ll let you into the women’s game with those tix. I think last year I caught a couple of women’s games when they played before the men.
Cocobean,
You will be able to use your MBB season ticket for the WBB game, but it is first come sitting for the WBB game.
Thanks Steve.
Awesome crowd!! should be like that all the time….