PORTLAND, Ore. — Similar to what happened back in the islands, this Rose City went through some severe weather and rain the past week, but as the time approached on Wednesday for the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team to address the media and take the floor for a short practice at the Moda Center … the sun broke though slightly and the chilly temperature slowly climbed.
As this 2025-26 version of the Warriors has proved repeatedly … this season is different and they have a way of bringing hope even after some rough patches surrounding them.
UH (24-8) will write a new chapter in its men’s basketball history at 10:25 a.m. (Hawai’i time) Thursday when it takes on perennial national power and Southeast Conference champion Arkansas (26-8) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
The game will be televised live nationally on TBS and broadcast via radio on ESPN Honolulu 1500AM/Westwood One.
For the Big West Conference champion Warriors, this marks their first appearance in the Big Dance since 2016. They are the No. 13 seed in the West Region, while the Razorbacks are seeded No. 4.
Arkansas features freshman point guard Darius Acuff, Jr., who was named to the AP All-America First Team on Tuesday, and legendary Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, who has been one of the most recognizable faces in college basketball the past four decades.
“Obviously we are very excited to be here, very humbled by it, very proud, everything Hawai’i (is) in our minds and hearts,” UH coach Eran Ganot said. “I’m very proud of this group to get to this point, very proud of our fans, our student-athletes, our administration, our leadership, we take pride in representing our state, our community, our university, our athletics department, all the islands … This is really special, but it was done with a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
“We talk a lot about how hard it is to get here, and how hard it will continue to be to move forward. This is the ultimate, to be at this stage and celebrate team, basketball and competitive spirit, great teams, great coaches, great student-athletes, first-class event. Just really happy to share this experience with our incredible kids.”
The Warriors said they believe they are able to balance the thrill of an NCAA Tournament experience with staying locked in on preparation for Arkansas.
“It’s obviously very exciting, I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life,” said senior captain Harry Rouhliadeff. “We’re taking this day to enjoy it with the team, everyone just soaking it all in. But then after this we’ll then lock in toward the game and tomorrow, switch gears.”
Warriors grad transfer guard Dre Bullock, who was named to the Credit Union 1 Big West Conference All-Tournament Team, said it was important for the team to appreciate and enjoy their achievement before turning all of its focus toward Arkansas.
“Yeah I mean, it’s very exciting, everybody worked hard just to get to this very moment,” said Bullock, who transferred from South Dakota. “So definitely (we’ll) enjoy it for today, and once we leave here, just switch gears and focus on our matchup for tomorrow, and … we’ll be good.”
Calipari said the maturity of UH’s squad — five of the six seniors are grad transfers — could help the Warriors.
“They’re older, they’re mentally more equipped to go through this stuff,” Calipari said. “We’ve played some older teams, and it’s harder — they’ve been through the wars, there’s just things that they’ve experienced that an 18-year old has not experienced. Part of it is the NCAA Tournament, because this is different. This is one game — you play bad, you lose.”
Hawai’i grad transfer Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson, the Big West Tournament Most Valuable Player, said the Warriors have one more important factor working in their favor.
“One thing I would say just being here (at UH) for this year, the Hawai’i people and the spirit of Hawai’i is unmatched,” said Johnson, who transferred from Utah State and started his career at Oregon. “It’s amazing, the love and the support that we get, just by wearing the ‘H.’ We’re so grateful for all of the fans, for all of our boosters, for everybody who has allowed us to be in this position. We wouldn’t be here without you guys, no matter how good a basketball player we are. So we are beyond grateful for every single person, for all the support, for all the little kids who hope to be here someday as well. We’re here for you, and we hope you enjoy the product we put out.”