Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic Not Part of 2011-2012 Basketball Schedule

It looks like the long running and much loved (at east in the islands) Outrigger Hotel Rainbow Classic will not be a part of the 2011-2010 men’s basketball schedule, according to the schedule that was released today.

Because of difficulties filling out the 48th Classic, UH’s traditional tournament — which was relegated to a four-team, round-robin format two years ago — will take a one-year hiatus. It will be the first gap in the history of the tourney, which started in 1967.

“Unfortunately one of the teams in this year’s Classic bowed out late, and the remaining two teams did not agree to the replacements we presented them,” UH coach Gib Arnold said in a release. “We had to move on; however, we look forward to hosting the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic next year.”

Not including the HPU exhibition, there are 18 home dates on the slate. This is still plenty of home games, but fans have always come out to the Outrigger Rainbow Classic. It is a shame that they could not fill out the slate for the first time in 45-years.

On the plus side, Hawaii will still host the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Dec. 22, 23 and 25, which will be nationally televised and feature some of its best nonconference competition of the season. Xavier, Long Beach State, Kansas State and Clemson are among UH’s possible opponents. This will be a fun tournament, but one can only hope that the Outrigger Rainbow Classic will find its way back on the schedule next year.

UH kicks off the season with a Nov. 14 matchup against Cal State Northridge in the EA Sports Tip-Off Marathon at 11 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game will be televised on ESPN. Many of us are looking forward to seeing the new recruiting class in action for the first time.

“It’s a goal of ours to play on the neighbor islands every year,” Arnold said. “I believe we represent all the islands and we want to take our team to our loyal fans throughout the state. The goal is to not only play games, but perform coaching clinics as well. This is something we are all very excited about.”