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Rainbows want joyous
December to be ‘Classic’

Hawaii’s have won 13 consecutive
games in the month of December
dating back to 2002

Happy holidays indeed.

The month of December has certainly been full of cheer for the Hawaii basketball team, which has won 13 consecutive games during the month dating back to 2002 and has posted a 32-6 mark since 1999.

41st Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic When: Tomorrow to Thursday Where: Stan Sheriff Center TV: Live, KFVE Ch. 5 Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM Internet: HawaiiAthletics.com Tickets: Packages, $84 (lower level, single seats only); $64 (upper level). Individual night sessions (sold only on game days) $20 (lower level, single seats only), $15 (upper level). Individual day sessions $5 (general admission). Parking $3 Schedule Tomorrow Georgetown vs. Oral Roberts, 5 p.m. Long Beach State vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday UAB vs. Clemson, 5 p.m. USC vs. Indiana State, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Consolation bracket Georgetown/Oral Roberts loser vs. LBSU/Hawaii loser, 11 a.m. UAB/Clemson loser vs. USC/Indiana State loser, 1:30 p.m. Championship bracket UAB/Clemson winner vs. USC/Indiana State winner, 5 p.m. Georgetown/Oral Roberts winner vs. LBSU/Hawaii winner, 7:30 p.m. Thursday Seventh place game, 11 a.m. Fifth place game, 1:30 p.m. Third place game, 5 p.m. Championship game, 7:30 p.m.

Highlighting that span have been four Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic championships in the last five years, including the last three straight.

This year's Rainbow Warriors are looking to make this another December to remember as they open the 41st annual tournament tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"That's why a lot of (the UH players) came here," Hawaii coach Riley Wallace said. "We talk about our schedule and the Rainbow is a big part of it. It's a great time of year, there's no classes, just basketball, and there's a lot of tradition in it."

This year's Classic will be unusual for a few reasons. Not only are four teams making their Rainbow Classic debuts this week, the tournament is being held before Christmas for only the second time in its history.

The Rainbows (5-0) also enter the Classic undefeated for the first time since 1973.

"It's a big deal, but it's a bigger deal to stay on track," UH point guard Deonte Tatum said. "We have to keep making a name for ourselves and keep gaining respect so in the long run we can be where we want to be.

"It's important for us to enjoy the tradition of the Rainbow Classic and have fun with it, but we still have to take it a game at a time."

While Hawaii has nine new players on the roster, it shouldn't take them long to understand the significance of the tournament.

"I think they know," said UH forward Julian Sensley, whose buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave UH a win over Fairfield in last year's championship game.

"That's something you talk about on your recruiting trip. I think they kind of know about the tradition, I just don't think they know how important it is, not only to our program, but to the state of Hawaii. I think they'll notice that in the next couple days."

UH's first task will be to get past Long Beach State in an opening-round game tomorrow and advance to the tournament's evening rounds. A loss would banish the Rainbows to the consolation bracket for the first time in eight years. UH has played in the daytime session just twice in Wallace's 17 years.

Wallace attributes some of Hawaii's success in the tournament to the difficulty nonconference opponents face in preparing for the Rainbows' scheme on short notice.

Getting to the basket tends to get tougher when the 'Bows face Western Athletic Conference foes more familiar with the UH system.

"When you get into the league you really have to execute, you really have to be strong because people know your weaknesses better," Wallace said. "(In nonconference games) you get ready, but not like you do against conference teams."

This year's Rainbow Classic welcomes back teams from some of the nation's big-name conferences after featuring mid-major programs the past two years.

USC (1975) and Clemson (1980) join Hawaii as past Classic champions participating in this year's tournament. UAB returns to the Classic for the first time since 1983.

The first-timers in the eight-team field are Georgetown, Indiana State, Long Beach State and Oral Roberts.

Following is a look at this year's field.

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UAB Blazers

Record: 5-2

Location: Birmingham, Ala.

Coach: Mike Anderson

Conference: Conference USA

Outlook: Anderson guided the Blazers to a share of the Conference USA championship and the Sweet 16 in his second season at UAB, raising expectations for this season. The Blazers got off to a 5-1 start, with a loss at No. 4 Oklahoma State as their lone blemish, until they stumbled to a 96-81 defeat at Richmond on Friday. Twins Donell and Ronell Taylor, both senior guards, have opponents seeing double this season. Donell leads UAB in scoring (15.9 ppg), while Ronell is third (11 ppg). Forward Demario Eddins is coming off a double-double performance (19 points, 10 rebounds) against Richmond. The Blazers tend to make life miserable for opposing ball-handlers, as they swipe nearly 13 steals per game.

Clemson Tigers

Record: 7-1

Location: Clemson, S.C.

Coach: Oliver Purnell

Conference: Atlantic Coast

Outlook: The Tigers appear on their way to rebounding from a 10-18 record (3-13 ACC) last season. Purnell isn't shy about going to his bench, as nine players average at least 13 minutes per game and none play more than 30 minutes. Center Sharrod Ford, Clemson's leading scorer and rebounder last season, is again the Tigers' focal point, with team bests in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg) and blocked shots (17). Guard Shawan Robinson can light it up from outside, shooting 46 percent beyond the 3-point line (21-for-46), and dishes out nearly five assists per game.

Georgetown Hoyas

Record: 4-2

Location: Washington

Coach: John Thompson III

Conference: Big East

Outlook: Thompson is the son of the former Georgetown coach of the same name, but his basketball roots are planted at Princeton where he spent 13 years as a player and coach. In his first season at the helm, his task is to rebuild a Hoyas program that went 13-15 last season. Forward Brandon Bowman averaged 15.9 points last year and is again the Hoyas' top scoring threat. The 6-8 junior leads Georgetown with 15.8 ppg and is shooting 52 percent from the field. Freshman forward Jeff Green has gotten off to an impressive start, ranking second on the team with 12 ppg and leading the Hoyas with 15 blocked shots.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Record: 5-0

Location: Honolulu

Coach: Riley Wallace

Conference: Western Athletic

Outlook: The close games have gone Hawaii's way early this season, as the 'Bows are off to their best start in seven years. UH has won its last four games by an average of 4.3 points. Included in that stretch are a two-point home win over Southern Illinois and a one-point road victory over Saint Louis. Julian Sensley, a preseason All-WAC pick, has lived up to the hype by leading UH in scoring (16.2 ppg), rebounding (7.8 rpg) and assists (3.4 apg) while playing 39 minutes per game. Along with Sensley, forwards Jeff Blackett and Matt Gipson and center Chris Botez give UH one of the tallest front courts in the tournament. The back court continues to take shape, with Matt Gibson (12 ppg) leading the way so far.

Indiana State Sycamores

Record: 5-3

Location: Terre Haute, Ind.

Coach: Royce Waltman

Conference: Missouri Valley

Outlook: The school best known for producing Larry Bird makes its first appearance in the Classic. The Sycamores went 9-19 last year, and had a four-game winning streak snapped with a loss to Ball State yesterday. The ISU attack revolves around junior guard David Moss (18.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg). Moss led ISU in scoring in all but one game and hit for 27 and 29 in wins over Valparaiso and Butler. Forward Amani Daanish gives the Sycamores an alternative inside with 11.5 ppg and 7.4 rpg. The Sycamores come to Hawaii looking for their first win away from home.

Long Beach State 49ers

Record: 1-5

Location: Long Beach, Calif.

Coach: Larry Reynolds

Conference: Big West

Outlook: The Rainbows' first-round opponent is in rebuilding mode and has lost three in a row, the last coming in heartbreaking fashion as a buzzer beater lifted Portland to a 71-70 win on Dec. 11. The 49ers have replaced four starters off last year's 6-21 team and welcomed back center Anthony Coleman, who missed most of last season with a stress fracture in his left ankle. Coleman, a transfer who played on the Xavier team that defeated UH in the 2002 NCAA Tournament, leads the 49ers with 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Guard Jibril Hodges is LBSU's lone returning starter and is second on the team in scoring (10.5 ppg).

ORAL Roberts Golden Eagles

Record: 7-0

Location: Tulsa, Okla.

Coach: Scott Sutton

Conference: Mid-Continent

Outlook: The sophomore combo of Caleb Green and Ken Tutt have ORU, which has already won four road games, primed to make a run at the Mid-Continent title. Green, a 6-7 forward, was the Mid-Continent preseason Player of the Year and is the Eagles' top scorer (17.9 ppg) and rebounder (8.4 rpg). Tutt, a 6-1 guard, won the Seitz Award as the nation's top 3-point shooter as a freshman and has made 21 of 43 attempts (49 percent) this season. Guard Luke Spencer-Gardner has returned from a leg injury that forced him to redshirt last season and is on track to become the school's all-time assist leader.

USC Trojans

Record: 4-3

Location: Los Angeles

Coach: Jim Saia (interim)

Conference: Pac-10

Outlook: With the future of the program in doubt, the Trojans are trying to focus on the present. USC fired coach Henry Bibby on Dec. 6 and announced last week that former Utah coach Rick Majerus would take over next season. But Majerus has reportedly backed out of the job, leaving the position in limbo again. In the meantime, Saia has guided USC to wins over San Diego and Western Michigan to put USC over .500. Sophomore guard Lodrick Stewart leads the Trojans with 14.4 ppg. Senior center Rory O'Neil is USC's top interior player with 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.