Playing in its first NCAA Tournament game in 10 years, the University of Hawai‘i men's basketball team was doomed by a slow start in a 97-78 loss to Arkansas at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore. on Thursday.
Hawai‘i's 2025-2026 season ends with a mark of 24-9, while Arkansas marches on to the Round of 32 and will play High Point on Saturday.
Thursday's contest was a matchup between Arkansas, the No. 4 seed in the West Region, and the Rainbow Warriors, seeded 13th out of 16 teams. The Razorbacks came out firing, racing to an 11-0 lead. The Razorbacks, champions of the SEC, overwhelmed the 'Bows athletically, dunking the ball 22 times.
Although Hawai‘i had an advantage in experience with six seniors on its roster, it was Arkansas that pulled away with its sheer youth talent, led by a pair of freshmen in Darius Acuff Jr., who had 24 points and seven assists, as well as Meleek Thomas, who added 21 points and five dimes.
Dre Bullock had a team-high 21 points and eight rebounds for UH, while Isaac "Big Fish" Johnson added 15 points with five rebounds. The Rainbow Warriors simply could not keep up with the Razorbacks, who had all five starters reach double digits in scoring.
As he got subbed out of the game in the closing seconds, Johnson took a moment to thank the Hawai‘i contingent that traveled thousands of miles to be there on Thursday, which included family members of his.
"I just was so grateful for them, for the love and support that they've given me when I came to Hawai‘i," said Johnson, who joined the 'Bows last summer. "I was newly married, and I had no idea what was going on with life. In basketball, I had zero confidence, and so for this coaching staff to believe in me from day one, for my teammates the same way, and especially the fans who rallied behind us all season, I was bummed that we couldn't play today the way that they deserve, but I am grateful for the way that we were able to put on all season. It was just a thank you to them. Mahalo to everybody who came to help get us to this point."
Following the game, Hawai‘i head coach Eran Ganot was able to appreciate the history the Rainbow Warriors made. In the team's previous season, the 'Bows did not even make the eight-team Big West Conference tournament, finishing 15-16 overall. In its 2025-2026 campaign, UH won the Big West tournament for the first time since 2016. It also happened to be the last set of games the 'Bows would play as Big West members, as the vast majority of UH's athletic teams will officially join the Mountain West Conference in the summer.
Hawai‘i's appearance in the NCAA Tournament was just its sixth in program history, a milestone not lost on Ganot.
"In the 106 years of Hawai‘i basketball, whenever they walk through the halls into the locker room, there's a plaque of every NCAA and NIT team. There will be a plaque added. I know it hurts right now, but there will be a ring prepared, and we can look back at this and continue to grow, but that's representative of a lot of honor," Ganot said in the postgame press conference.
Ganot also coached the final season of his contract. Hawai‘i's administration, led by athletics director Matt Elliott, is expected to make a decision on his future prior to the April 30 expiration of his deal. Though Ganot was not asked about his future with the school in the postgame press conference, he expressed reverence and gratitude towards the school he's coached at for 15 years — four as an assistant from 2006 to 2010 and the last 11 as the head coach.
"I'm just beaming with pride for everything Hawai‘i," Ganot said. "These student-athletes in the locker room are hurting, both can be true. You can hurt and also be very proud of what they've done in all facets on the floor, in the classroom, in the community. Inspirational to the state, our university, our athletic department, our boosters, our recruits, our administration. They've checked every box, so there's a finality to this. It's what we all sign up for. It's what we live for. Perspective is everything. ... The ups, enjoy it for a second. Get back to work. The downs, let it hurt for a sec. Get back to work. Keep moving forward."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
