The shooter-friendly rims (with plenty of give) in the Lahaina Civic Center were a popular topic of discussion. Cal coach Mike Montgomery and Gonzaga coach Mark Few were among those to comment on the matter.

There were several red-hot shooting performances, particularly Gonzaga’s 70-percent outing in the consolation semifinals. The Zags shot 48.4 percent on 3-pointers for the tournament.

"Those are the softest rims I’ve ever seen in a Division I game," Few said. "So to me that’s kind of the great equalizer. These guys can shoot on outdoor courts with the mushroom-shaped deal, and the rim ratcheted down so it doesn’t even move. So I prefer that when you’ve got a team like this. These rims have made — hell, I think I could shoot 50 percent from 3 on these rims."

Said Montgomery: "When you’re a kid and you played at the YMCA the rims were typically soft … In some places you go, they’re really hard rims and boy it really has to almost go straight in. Here the rim will keep the ball in."

Bovaird’s quote on money

Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird had a humorous response to a question regarding his guard Christophe Varidel‘s liberal shot selection over the three days.

"He took a few shots I haven’t seen anybody make since Reggie Miller," Bovaird said.

Dayton’s fans best

Dayton’s fan base passed the eye and ear test for the best fan base of the eight-team tournament.

The Flyers’ red-clad faithful from Ohio offered up some of the best coordinated, loud chants and cheers.

Gonzaga, in Spokane, Wash., had the most fans in terms of pure numbers; they made their presence felt in the 2,400-seat gym as well.