Alongside teams like Illinois, Kansas and Syracuse, the Rainbows stood proudly. While coaches like Bill Self of Illinois, Roy Williams of Kansas and Jerry Green of Tennessee were the most covered by the media, Wallace was the most quotable. For better or worse, the Rainbows were one of the most popular teams in the region with the media. Some of it had to do with an article that ran in the Dayton Daily News last week, accusing foreign players of playing in professional leagues in their home countries, but mostly, it was because Hawai'i had a great story to tell. Many of the central characters are expected back for next year's chapter.
Ostler leaves as the program's third-best shot blocker in history.
O'Connor and Fields were the leaders of the scout team that Wallace credited as a key to the late-season surge. But 10 others are expected to return, and seven of them made significant contributions this season. Mike McIntyre and Carl English became an effective tandem at point guard by the end of this season. McIntyre, perhaps the team's best pure long-range shooter, may be better suited at the off guard position, but his experience at both positions this season was invaluable. English displayed flashes of brilliance late in the year, and he will be viewed under an entirely different light next season, both by Wallace and opposing coaches.