You know it is college basketball season when the Outrigger Rainbow Classic starts up again, because it has been a rare mainstay in the sport since 1964.
So when the University of Hawai’i opens play in this year’s Classic at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Mississippi Valley State in BankOh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center, the Warriors will be carrying on a treasured tradition that started just five years after Statehood and has withstood endless changes surrounding it along the way.
The game will be televised live statewide on Spectrum Sports Channel 12, and broadcast live via radio on ESPN Honolulu 1420AM. UH is 1-1 coming off an impressive 100-74 home victory over East Texas A&M late Sunday night. The Delta Devils are 1-2 comi9ng off a 108-60 loss at Murray State last Friday.
The first Rainbow Classic was held in December 1964, the same year the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena opened as the Honolulu International Center. Since then, it has featured college basketball legends such as Pete Maravich, Nate Archibald, Johnny Dawkins, Michael Jordan, Wayman Tisdale, Grant Hill and Michigan’s famed “Fab Five.”
More details to come.