But the music hasn't stopped jamming for the Rainbows just yet as they are hosts for a first-round game of the National Invitation Tournament tonight against Oregon at the Special Events Arena.
"It doesn't feel as bad as it felt two days ago," UH forward Micah Kroeger said last night at a welcome reception for the Ducks. "Obviously, the pain has worn off a little bit. We'll be ready."
"We'd like to be in the NCAA, but we're proud to be in the NIT, which has been good to us over the years," said UH head coach Riley Wallace. "It's still a reward for your kids. It's something to look forward to."
Wallace said the Ducks will be a big test. And the fact that they're in the Pac-10 -- which received five bids to the WAC's three in the NCAA tourney -- might prove to be extra incentive for the Rainbows.
Hawaii coaches and players were especially upset that Southern Cal made the NCAA tourney with a 17-10 record.
"It's a very tough first opponent," Wallace said. "But it will help us that Oregon is in the Pac-10."
The winner of this game will take on the winner of the UNLV-Memphis game, which is tonight at Las Vegas. The site for next week's second-round game will be determined after the opening-round games are decided.
The third-round games also are held at participating school sites, while the final four teams play for the title in New York City March 25-27 at Madison Square Garden.
"I think we have a legitimate chance to get to New York, do some damage and prove some people wrong," Kroeger added.
UH guard Alika Smith agreed: "Everybody seems to be focused. We had a real good practice today and hopefully everybody's ready to go. We want to show them what we have."
The Rainbows are 15-3 at home this season, but have split the last two games at the Special Events Arena. They were routed by Fresno State, 98-80, but beat San Jose State, 83-76.
Then, New Mexico knocked UH out of the WAC tournament -- and probably the NCAA field as well -- with a 65-57 victory last Thursday in Las Vegas.
UH will start All-American honorable mention Anthony Carter (19 points and 6.3 assists per game) and Smith (17.8 points per game) at guards.
Kroeger (10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game) and Eric Ambrozich (9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game) will be at the forwards. Danny Furlong (3.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game) will open at center.
Junior forward Mike Robinson -- who had 13 rebounds against New Mexico in the WAC tourney -- will be in off the bench, along with sophomore forward Greg Miller and freshman guard Quentin Gallon.
Wallace was still a bit steamed over the NCAA snub, but he said that the team has to move on.
"Once that was over with that night you have to get back the next day and go right at it at practice," he said. "And that's what the guys have done.
"We're not through yet."
Who Hawaii (20-7) vs. Oregon (17-10)