Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001
'Bows carry superstitions to the dining table
| • | UH practices simulate late game time |
| • | How these Rainbows blended into one |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
DAYTON, Ohio — A Tulsa tradition has been resurrected here for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.
The Rainbows had dinner at a Golden Corral restaurant, which they also did for five consecutive nights during their championship run through the Western Athletic Conference Tournament at Tulsa, Okla. last week.
"And we're going again tomorrow," said coach Riley Wallace, a firm believer in superstitions.
The Golden Corral offers all-you-can-eat American buffet for $7.19. It features a salad and dessert bar, and about 10 different entrees.
Ask center Troy Ostler for the list of items. The Golden Corral was also the location of his junior college team's pregame meals.
"I was tired of it then, I couldn't believe we found another one in Dayton, Ohio," he said. "I understand why Coach wants to go there, but I'm not superstitious about it. I'd be fine if we picked some place else."
Freshman center Haim Shimonovich has been labeled the team's most frequent visitor to the buffet line, but even he said: "I'm ready to move on."
Nerijus Puida, who is from a small town in Lithuania, probably had the most appropriate response: "This is a powerful country."
A film crew from Canada's version of CNN also flew to Dayton yesterday for a lengthy interview with freshman Carl English, who is from Newfoundland. They will run a feature story on English and the Rainbows within the next few weeks.
Wallace said he warned his players about boastful talk to the media this week, but also said he wanted them to enjoy the spotlight.
"You gotta let them have some of it," he said. "If you go to the tournament every year, then maybe you can get used to it. But this is our third time in (UH) history, and the first time for all these guys, so I want them to experience (the media), too."
Flying high: The Rainbows visited the United States Air Force Museum yesterday afternoon. National pub: The Rainbows were featured in yesterday's edition of USA Today. Tournament business: Coach Riley Wallace and team captains Troy Ostler and Nerijus Puida will speak for the Rainbows at the first official press conference today.
