MONEY can't buy you love. But it sure can buy you a home-court advantage. Hosting NIT game
pays off for Hawaii"You better believe it," Hawaii basketball coach Riley Wallace said, referring to the advantage of playing at home. "I wouldn't want to play Arizona State at their place. Not with their shooters."
"I think home court is tremendously big," added Arizona State coach Don Newman. "Every time this team needed a lift, every time they got going and hit a shot, this crowd got up and let them know it.
"They not only gave this team a lift, they make it hard on the opponent to call out a play or do anything without having to call a timeout. They are definitely a sixth man . . . for this team as long as they keep playing here."
The Rainbows will stay at home after scoring a rousing 90-73 victory over the Sun Devils last night in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
The Rainbows will host Gonzaga - an upset winner over Wyoming - Monday or Tuesday night in the second round.
"You are the greatest fans in America. Come back and raise hell," Wallace told the crowd of 9,195 at the Stan Sheriff Center immediately after the game.
AND so what looked like a risky venture by UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida is paying off for the Rainbows.
He made the NIT an offer it couldn't refuse, guaranteeing $125,000 to host last night's game. Ditto for Game Two in the March to New York.
Since a sellout crowd at the 10,255-seat arena grosses about $140,000, it's a sizable stake. At first glance, a steep price to pay. But it's worth it, according to Yoshida.
"I think if you were here and had the experience of the NIT and the crowd involvement, it was worth every penny of it. It was on national television (ESPN). It helps us from a standpoint of recognition, and hopefully will have some long-term impact on our program."
Yoshida said he didn't think the offer was a gamble at all.
"For us, there was really no second thought. The money plays a big part. But I think the idea of hosting it, providing an opportunity for our players to advance and hopefully get to New York and Madison Square Garden . . . that's the bottom line."
Speaking of bottom lines, check the line on Anthony Carter, who put on quite a show on national television. He was 11 of 15 from the floor, made six of seven free throws and had eight assists, six rebounds and three steals while scoring a season-high 28 points.
ALIKA Smith added 22 points, nailing five 3-pointers, and Eric Ambrozich, Michael Robinson and Erin Galloway combined for 27 of the team's 40 rebounds.
"It was a big night for everybody. This team played one of its best ballgames of the year," Wallace said. "I think they played a little pissed off. They were playing like they were mad."
"We wanted to come out and show everybody that we deserved to be in the NCAA," said Carter, who along with his teammates thought they were snubbed in not getting an invitation to the Big Dance.
Now they realize they're only two victories away from going to the Big Apple, which isn't exactly chopped liver.
"The NIT isn't the NCAA, but it's still March Madness. To an upstart program like us, it still means a hell of a lot to those kids and to those fans," Wallace said.
"If we can march on and get to New York, this place will be crazy again."
The victory last night gave the Rainbows back-to-back 20-win seasons - the first time UH has accomplished that feat since the days of the Fabulous Five 26 years ago.
So was it worth the price to host the NIT? You bet. Especially if the Rainbows can make it to New York.