Tuesday, May 1, 2001
[ COLLEGE BASKETBALL ]
Rainbow Classic The Rainbow Classic hospitality suite was buzzing as local fans mingled with several of the coaches taking part in last December's 37th annual college basketball event.
a special tournament
coaches want to save
from extinction
They see no value in NCAA
proposal to eliminate
the Hawaii ExemptionCoaches and media against
proposal that feeds the richBy Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinIt's not often followers of the University of Hawaii can see Iowa head coach Steve Alford working one end of the room and Tennessee's Jerry Green talking story at the other.
It didn't go unnoticed by Riley Wallace as he surveyed the reserved room located just off center court at the Stan Sheriff Center. For the veteran Rainbows head coach, all the work involved in bringing eight teams together during the busy holiday season was worth it.
"This is the last of its kind,'' Wallace said, a little ache creeping into his voice. "Bob Nash does so much making sure this thing is pulled off. I just don't know how many more years they're going to let us do it.''
Wallace was several months away from leading his team to the NCAA Tournament, Alford had no idea his banged up Hawkeyes would capture the Big Ten Conference dance and Green, whose Volunteers beat the Rainbows in the Classic final, had no clue he would be fired by season's end.
But all agreed, an eight-team tournament like the Rainbow Classic needs protection. They were aware the NCAA was looking into erasing the Hawaii exemption and all agreed it was a bad idea.
"This is a great tournament and a wonderful experience for our players,'' Alford said. "I don't understand why the NCAA has to tinker with this and make us all play the same amount of games. It's just a bad idea.
"Having to play three good teams in three days is just what you need to prepare you for the tough conference run in the Big Ten. I don't think it's right to mess with this. Being allowed to come here only once every four years (without the matchups counting toward the 27 regular-season games) is enough.''
Green agreed. Like Alford eying the run through the Big Ten, Green knew the best way to prep the Volunteers for the rigors of the SEC was by playing here.
"This tournament reminds me of the old days,'' Green said. "Most tournaments now are no more than six teams, so this is kind of special. I always enjoy coming here. Riley knows how to throw a party.
"I'm not sure why the NCAA is getting involved in these tournaments. I'm sure it comes down to money. But the Hawaii exemption was put in so teams could come over here and enjoy what this state has to offer. Our players always look forward to this trip. But if the NCAA makes us count these games toward your schedule, not as many will be able to come.''
And that's the problem.
Wallace foresees bad things if the NCAA comes back in a couple of years and tries to force a 29-game schedule on all Division I teams.
Schools like Duke, North Carolina and Kansas will rarely make this trip, if ever. They can ill-afford to come here and give up as many as three home dates.
"I know if you're at a major program where you always draw well at home, it would be tough to justify playing here if the games count,'' then-George Washington head coach Tom Penders said. "You might come out every once in awhile, but it would be tough for Hawaii because there are so many other tournaments here, too.
"It's a shame the NCAA can't leave well enough alone. The rules are fine as they are.''
