For Ganot and the ‘Bows, the Rainbow Classic Is About More Than Basketball

The nation’s longest-running preseason college basketball tournament tips off this week as the 59th Annual OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic returns to Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. The University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball team hosts Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 12), Manhattan (Nov. 14), and Utah Tech (Nov. 15) in a four-team, round-robin event steeped in history and local pride.

Honoring the Legacy

Head coach Eran Ganot has made it clear that the Rainbow Classic isn’t just another early-season tournament — it’s a defining tradition of Hawai‘i basketball.

“It’s the longest running tournament in the country,” Ganot emphasized. “There’s an incredible history — great teams, great coaches, great student-athletes. Events have come and gone, but the Rainbow Classic has staying power, and that’s a credit to the people of Hawai‘i.”

Over nearly six decades, the Classic has hosted basketball legends from Michael Jordan and Pete Maravich to Coach K and the Fab Five, cementing its place as one of college basketball’s heritage showcases. Hawai‘i enters this year’s event seeking its 17th Rainbow Classic title, and its first back-to-back crowns since since winning four straight from 2001-04.

A Veteran-Led ‘Bows Squad

The 2025–26 Rainbow Warriors (1–1) opened their home slate with a 100–74 rout of East Texas A&M — their first 100-point game in eight years — setting program records with 37 free throws made and 55 attempted.

This year’s team blends nine newcomers with a seasoned core led by senior captain Harry Rouhliadeff, seven-footer Isaac Johnson, and sharpshooting grad guard Hunter Erickson. Six different players are averaging double figures early on, underscoring the team’s depth and maturity.

Ganot said that while chemistry is still developing after a busy offseason, experience and buy-in have been clear strengths:

“Experience comes in a lot of different ways — age, years playing at this level, and learning to play together,” Ganot explained. “Our defense and rebounding are our backbone right now. Offensively, it’ll come with time and reps. You can see the potential there.”

Facing the Field

The ‘Bows will open against a battle-tested Mississippi Valley State squad that has already faced quality road opponents in UAB and Murray State.

UH is 5–0 all-time against the Delta Devils, including a win in the 2022 Classic. Manhattan returns to Honolulu for its first appearance since 2000, and Utah Tech makes its Classic debut — a matchup that will be a reunion for UH junior Isaac Finlinson, who began his freshman season there under current UH assistant Gibson Johnson.

Ganot sees the three-day stretch as more than a tournament — it’s a measuring stick for where his team stands early in the season.

“It’s going to be a great gauge for where we’re at — not just on the floor, but in how we handle quick turnarounds mentally and physically,” he said. “If you want to advance in March, this is the kind of stretch that prepares you.”

A Championship Mindset

Ganot’s message to his players echoes a philosophy once shared by former UH football head coach Nick Rolovich, who used to remind his team that opportunities to hoist a trophy were rare — even in long seasons. When Hawai‘i reached the Hawai‘i Bowl, Rolovich told his players that those postseason moments were “precious chances” to play for something tangible and lasting.

“There aren’t many opportunities in a season to win a championship,” Ganot said. “That’s why this tournament matters. You want to win the Rainbow Classic? Have a good practice, focus on the first game, and don’t skip steps — or you’ll get humbled quick.”

For Ganot, the Rainbow Classic isn’t just an early-season test — it’s a microcosm of the mindset needed in March: preparation, poise, and the pride of representing Hawai‘i on home court.