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ERIK SMITH / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
The Rainbow Warriors claimed an early seven-point lead at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena against the Maryland Terrapins today.
ERIK SMITH / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Hawaii’s Quincy Smith goes up for lay in against the Maryland Terrapins at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena today.
ERIK SMITH / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Hawaii’s Roderick Bobbitt goes in for a basket against the Maryland Terrapins at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena today.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hawaii guard Sheriff Drammeh (22) and Maryland guard Jaylen Brantley (1) go after a rebound during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash. today.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
The No. 13 Rainbow Warriors hung right with No. 5 Maryland for about 30 minutes, but the Terrapins used a big run to pull away for a 73-60 second-round victory at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wash.
ERIK SMITH / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
The No. 13 Rainbow Warriors hung right with No. 5 Maryland for about 30 minutes, but the Terrapins used a big run to pull away for a 73-60 second-round victory at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wash.
SPOKANE, WASH. » Hawaii’s run in the NCAA Tournament is over.
The No. 13 Rainbow Warriors hung right with No. 5 Maryland for about 30 minutes, but the Terrapins used a big run to pull away for a 73-60 second-round victory.
The Terrapins (27-8) claimed a spot in the Sweet 16 in Louisville, Ky., while the Rainbow Warriors’ season came to an end at 28-6. It was the most wins in program history. UH earned its first NCAA Tournament win on Friday, an 11-point decision over fourth-seeded California.
“We fought to the end,” first-year UH coach Eran Ganot said. “This group’s got a lot of fight, just very proud of them for what they have done. It’s hard, I don’t get to coach them again. But it’s a great group to coach.”
Forward Mike Thomas led UH with 19 points and 11 rebounds, his second career double-double. Big man Stefan Jankovic added 14 on 5-for-17 shooting and guard Quincy Smith scored 11. Senior point guard Roderick Bobbitt recorded six points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his final game.
Thomas shot 8-for-12 from the field in the best overall performance of his three-year career.
“I think I just wanted to be aggressive today and try to help my team win the game,” he said. “To be honest, it wasn’t anything different or anything out of sorts, it was just trying to be aggressive and win.”
He is one of four members of UH’s junior class that could depart early because of the postseason ban in place for next season. However, none of that group — Thomas, Jankovic, Stefan Jovanovic and Aaron Valdes — said they’d made a decision in the UH locker room immediately after the loss.
Guard Melo Trimble led the Terrapins with 24 points; he converted 13 of 14 free-throw attempts as UMD went 28-for-31 (90.3 percent) from the line.
UH trailed by one at the half, but went ahead by three early in the second period. The Rainbows led 41-39 with 11:20 to play on a backdoor cut by Smith.
Then the Terrapins launched into a 14-0 run to blow the game open, after which the ’Bows could not get back within single digits.
“I’ll give credit to Maryland’s defense,” Jankovic said. “It was tough, but we didn’t make shots that we were supposed to make. We missed a lot of layups, a lot of easy putbacks. We didn’t make shots.”
Jankovic hit a deep 3 to cut it to 59-49 with 3:52 to play. But UH could not get enough stops with its pressure defense down the stretch.
UH’s 32.9 percent shooting and point total were season lows. The Rainbows won the rebounding battle by six and fell to 23-1 on the season in games it outperformed its opponent on the glass.
careless foul by Jankovic at the half.
Give credit for a decent game plan….
Maryland 28, Hawaii 27 at halftime. Hawaii not shooting well with only 39% compared to Maryland at 45%. Hawaii has 12 field goals, while Maryland has 9 FGs. Free throws making a difference as Maryland is 10 for 10, and Hawaii has not shot a free throw yet. Maryland is 0 for 8 from three point range, which is helping. Hawaii held a 13 to 6 lead with 11 minutes remaining in half. Still have chance. Bobbitt not doing well with zero points so far. Rebounds are in favor of Hawaii, 18 to 12, surprisingly, as Maryland is taller. Fouls are not significant yet, as the most a Hawaii player has, is 2 fouls.
Hawaii 39, Maryland 37 with 12:10 remaining in game. Hawaii is expanding lead in rebounds, 31 to 21. Maryland still cold from 3-point range, now 0 for 13. Maryland’s FG percentage has dropped to 39%.
Trouble: Maryland has sprinted out to 48 to 41 lead over Hawaii, with 9:09 remaining in game.
Game over: Maryland leads 53 to 41, with 7:57 remaining in game. Was a great season, coming home at 28-6. Let’s see what happens next year. At least this will keep Eran Ganot in Hawaii.
Really, not a good game by either team. A real disappointment and no validation for Ganot. That said, yes, a good season indeed.
If we want to compare the UH program to Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Duke or North Carolina, then we will never be in their ballpark. However to become a mid-major power like Wichita State, Gonzaga or Butler, we have hope. There can be only one upper tier, one middle tier and one lower tier. Our record of 28-6, with an NCAA tournament victory and $145,000 into our coffers from 2017 to 2022 is much better than the 1-26 team that we had to suffer through in 1976.
Actually it was a great defensive effort from both sides. That is why offense can look ugly.
At least they made it to the 2nd round.
Great season by Hawaii. Kudos to all the players. Hard to win when Maryland scored 1/3 of their poiints from the free thro line.
Led offensive rebounding by sheer determination and effort. Commentator noted that they were still playing Benji ball. Terps notorious for playing hot and cold and got hot in the second half. Who’s going to stick around for next year and can Ganot recruit anybody?
Some will surely leave as they are not connected to Hawaii or the UH. Traveling athletes looking for the best deal I guess.
now allie has the ability to read minds as well…quite remarkable
So why even respond to the old bag?
Mahalo to our Men’s Basketball team and the coaches for an exciting season. Allie you are the most negative person that comes in all the blogs..freaking irritating.
I am just reality-based. I know reality can be irritating though.
No, she is a fafa troll who lives under the bridge. Don’t feed the trolls…
I prefer my long,thin, lissome shape in any case.
Only thing thin on you is your intellect….
Agree 100% a troll is a troll. Yo Allie
allie shows all the signs of narcissistic personality disorder
Today we celebrate a great season by the UH Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine basketball teams. We all know the sanctions against the UH mens basketball program are temporary. We are missing the post-season only next season. We have 3 seasons of only 10 total scholarships so that is the challenge. It takes time to build a team–years. Anyone who knows how to build a team of people, a business with great people, that does not happen in weeks to months.
Agree..!!! Hahahaha..!!! Allie is that kind of person who, if you met him/her/it a bar, everybody would want to take outside and punch the “reality” out of him/her/it. Then he/she/it could actually see “reality” and learn to either shut up with the crazy commentary or better yet, go back to the mainland where you belong (but you probably got chased away from there too, so likely nobody anywhere wants you and you “opinions”). Sorry, everyone, I guess I just fed that troll; await more feedback from him/her/it.
Top-notch coach, very bright future ahead for UH basketball. In one year he is already the best coach in UH history with the exception of maybe Red Rocha, maybe. What they did this season was magical and in a few years it will become the norm. UH and Hawaii have a lot to be proud of no matter what the negative LOSERS here may post. You have achieved more in one year than they will ever achieve in their lifetime. Jimmyhouse67@aol.com.
I agree 100%!
UH athletic department should be begging the BigWest to reinstate football. The Hawaii Bowl every year could become reality again as a NCAA bid in basketball should be a lock in the Big West.
Bows were too cold with little “O” from Valdes, Bobbitt, and Q. Thomas had a good night. Janks could not get points in the paint, or spin, due to Suliman and other Terp bigs stuffing up the inside. Terps were just too big, and in the end the Bows just wore down physically and mentally. Maybe it’s a blessing as next is Kansas. Great season! Head’s Up Warriors – nothing to be shame about. And I have to disagree totally with Allie, Ganot did a fantastic job in his first year. Define “validation”? The key next year is how many of our guys will stay around if the sanctions stay in-place? The next pressing question is how well Ganot can recruit in light of these penalties? No matter what we Love you Bows – you made the State energized since November! Go Bows!
We agree..Ganot did a fine job.I was referring to ESPN indicating that the win against Cal was tainted by them losing two starters and having a distracting sexual scandal. Many felt he would need to beat the Terps to validate his somewhat freakish win earlier in the week.
Those are just excuses. PAC-12 was overrated this season with five of seven schools in the tournament losing in the first round. Utah got blown out by Gonzaga 82-59 in the second round. Only Oregon of the PAC-12 remains in the tournament.
Couldn’t have said it better myself TaiBow. Like some of us have been saying here on the SA threads as well as others on the ESPN threads, perhaps UH should have gone big with Jankovic, Jovanovic, Thomas, Valdes and Bobbitt, with Smith as the 6th man. But even this may not have had worked for it would have turned out to be even more of a free throw shooting contest which Maryland would have also won.
Terps too good inside, UH had no answers. Sai missing in action whole time since end of regular season – a liability on defense when he can’t shoot 3s. Hope this game showed Valdes he’s not ready to go pros. UH need better outside shooters going forward as none of the returners fit that bill. Still a GREAT season with a gritty group of overachievers led by a terrific young coach. Bodes well for the future. Special mahalo to Bobbitt and Smith.
well said
Biggest problem is that Valdes and Janks are both on track to graduate this year. They both could probably play in Europe next season. Gotta really hope that UH wins the appeal and Ganot can entice them with the prospect of another tournament run.
Yes Valdes and Janks should stick around and improve their game. Overall a great season for the rookie head coach and players.
The answer was to press them after the half. They waited too long. Hawaii relies on the hectic pace to get their steals going. Great year though.
But even when the Hawaii defense pressed Maryland, their point guard Trimble knew how to draw a foul and as a result would go to the free throw line several times in the second half. Trimble was 13-14 in free throws while the team shot 90.3% from the free throw line. So even if UH had pressed Maryland for the entire game, Maryland would be scoring nearly 2 points on every possession since they were almost automatic at the stripe. Conversely, when Hawaii had the ball, they would drive to the basket and would often get fouled. The only problem is UH shot 66.7% from the line. So little by little Maryland pulled away because UH missed many of their free throws. The only way UH would be able to catch up with Maryland in the closing minutes of the game would be if they could knock down three-pointers on almost every possession. So like Jonathan Patrick mentioned, when there was less than 8 minutes left in the game, it was game over. Hats off to Maryland for a great game and congratulations to our University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors for exceeding all of our expectations. Go Warriors!
what’s up with the refs, Jankovic was getting mugged.
cold shooting didn’t help either.
on the other hand this was UH basketball’s best year ever.
Considering how poorly the ‘Bows shot and the lack of over the back calls against Maryland (especially in the first half) they did an amazing job keeping as close as they did as long as they did. They were even in a position to try and win it in the last few minutes. Either way, outstanding season by this team! Let’s hope UH can win the appeal on the post-season ban for next year and Ganot can get all the underclassmen to return!
Thank you Warriors for the awesome ride! You played with grit and determination this season that made the 808 proud! Good luck to the seniors!
Agree.
Ditto!
A very frustrating game to watch. Such a good start of the game and a pathetic ending.
agree..but I predicted that several days ago.
Just like you (Allie) predicted CAL was going to win and Michigan State was going to take it all? Uh-huh….
They had it won until they ran out of ammo…
The critical point was when UH was up 39 to 37 with 12:10 remaining in the game, as I described above. All of a sudden, as Kimo Leahey would say, the barrage of bazookas were too much to handle. A sudden 12 point lead was devastating, just like Teee Williams helping The Wahine win their last National Championship with a 15-1 romp in the final set of the 1987 NCAA Division One Women’s Volleyball Championship game. Maybe it was too easy. Somehow Dave let down. Well anyway, would we believe that we could do it? Of course.
Out of all the UH players Quincy Smith played his heart out against Cal and the Terps. You can tell he really wanted the big “W”. Mahalo to Quincy for all of your heart, grit, and court leadership.
Mike Thomas also took his game to another level as he finished with 19 points on 8-12 shooting and 11 boards. Keep in mind that every point and rebound he fought hard for against Maryland’s intimidating front court. As far as the other players, I believe it was the Terps plan to shut down our three leading scorers, Jankovic, Valdes and Bobbitt. Keep in mind that Maryland was ranked #2 in the nation up until Wisconsin beat them on February 14 and they sure played like a top contender against Hawaii–well at least on defense.
MAHALO RAINBOW WARRIORS FOR AN EXCITING SEASON WELL WORTH OUR SEASON TICKETS! HOPING FOR ANOTHER EXCITING YEAR GIVEN THE SITUATION.
Congratulations on an outstanding season UH made all of Hawaii proud!
Taking the whole NCAA Division I–all 351 Division I and 300 Division II basketball programs– into consideration Hawaii did awesome this season. The womens team, too, made the tournament. I’d say Hawaii is a solid, mid-major division I Athletics program. There should be zero speak of Division II. Go Bows!
Bows hung tough. If not for that one scoring spurt by Maryland, they were right there. They did Hawaii proud. They played with the big boys and done good. Mahalo Men for a great season.
After getting over the disappointment of the loss. Having been a fan of the Bows since the 60’s (yeah I’m an old guy), many of you don’t realize what a special team this is. UH has never been good “road warriors” but this team has faced adversity and still won on the road. I give credit to the team’s heart and coach Ganot’s leadership in making this team the greatest UH Basketball team. Congratulations to every member of the UH Team!
It’s pretty good that this is the top story of the breaking news section. It means it’s a slow news day and not much is happening “in the Nei”, as some other poster likes to call us.
What a journey. What a season. Keep believing in our players and coaches. Next season starts TOMORROW!!! GO WARRIORS!!!
Congrats to Coach Ganot in his first year taking the ‘Bows this far. A big MAHALO to the MEN of the basketball team for a great season. Kept it close up to halftime, then, things changed in the second half. Played your hearts out, but, not the outcome we all wanted. Hang your heads high…
Great season Bows! So proud of you guys! My wish is for next year is that all the underclassmen to come back, NCAA to reverse the UH postseason ban, and for Ganot to get a couple of good recruits. One other thing about Ganot: I hope he shows his players that he has their back more next year when the refs are hosing his players. Perfect example: Q’s clean pick that the refs called Q for a foul. That happened right in front of Ganot and he didn’t even argue the call! He needs to show his players that he has their back! Riley would have given that ref an earful!
Ganot is learning hoping next season he will and should be more out spoken with the refs. If they blow a call you gotta let them know. We hope the NCAA can recind their unfair and unfounded tournament ban as this will have a effect on the status of the juniors on our team and potential recruits.
Jankovic was off and bottom-line had a bad game. It happens. Let’s move on to next year.
Did Jovanovich get a chance to play at all?
Usually when after he gets some action the team wakes up and starts to roll; I wish Janks and him would have been able to play together just to switch things up against the Terps.
I really thought that this would be Valdez’ game to shine because of his slashing style and was disappointed with the no effect.
Congrats on a great season! The officiating seemed to favor Maryland and the fouls weren’t called as they should have been. Still a season to remember for years to come. Mahalo!
Its tough to win when you play five against seven (two refs). Should have been more calls against the Terps over the back and underneath. In spite of the odds, Hawaii played well even when all three of our offensive threats had a bad night. We had a lot of open looks, but not enough confidence to pull the trigger. Great season and great effort. Kudos to Q, Jovanovich and Thomas for the tournament and to the whole team for a memorable season. No Fabulous Five, but a Fabulous Team.
ditto.
Based on the comments in this story, 85% of respondents would say they are proud of the basketball teams, both women and men.
Count me in on being PROUD of both the Wahine & Bow Warrior Basketball teams! They were awesome and represented Hawaii well!!!