Hawaii Basketball Stuns Rival in Overtime Thriller, Ignites NCAA Buzz

HONOLULU—Hawaii basketball continues to ride a wave of early-season momentum, blasting Manhattan 86-56 to move to 3-1 and keep Stan Sheriff Center buzzing with postseason hopes. Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson poured in a career-high 25 points, including 20 after halftime, as the Rainbow Warriors shot 52 percent and dominated the glass 42-27. The 6-11 forward’s inside-out versatility is quickly becoming the focal point of a roster that returned four starters yet looks noticeably faster in Year 5 under head coach Eran Ganot. Key takeaways for Rainbow Warrior fans and Big West rivals: • Depth delivers: Freshman guard Isaac Finlinson (14 pts) and transfer wing Yacine Toumi (11 pts) led a second unit that accounted for 41 percent of UH’s scoring, allowing Ganot to keep legs fresh during a hectic eight-day, three-game homestand. • Defensive buy-in: Hawaii forced 18 Manhattan turnovers, converting them into 25 points. Through four games the ‘Bows are allowing just 60.8 ppg, best in the Big West. • Rebounding edge: Johnson, Bernardo da Silva and Mor Seck combined for 27 boards, a stat that will loom large when Hawaii faces power-conference size in December’s Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Upcoming schedule and SEO-friendly nuggets Hawaii basketball hosts Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday before flying to Salt Lake City for a marquee road clash with Utah of the Big 12. The December 22-25 Diamond Head Classic then brings national TV eyes and opponents such as Loyola Chicago and Nebraska to Honolulu, offering the Rainbow Warriors a golden RPI boost. Why this matters for March The Big West’s one-bid reality means every non-conference win is precious. At 3-1, Hawaii already owns a 100-point explosion over Texas A&M-Commerce and a 12-point comeback thriller against Northern Arizona. KenPom now projects UH to finish second in league play, fueled by a top-40 defensive efficiency rating. Fan experience heating up Average attendance has climbed to 6,100—an 18 percent jump over last year—as locals embrace an uptempo brand that mirrors the islands’ free-flowing culture. Expect a near-sellout on Saturday when the team honors the 2001 NCAA squad that upset Syracuse. Bottom line If Isaac Johnson keeps anchoring both ends and Hawaii’s deep bench sustains its two-platoon punch, the Rainbow Warriors have a realistic path to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016. For now, the surf’s up in Manoa, and “Hawaii basketball” is a keyword every college-hoops fan should be typing into their search bar this week.