DJ Wagner Sidesteps Interviewer’s Bait, Defends Calipari Ahead of Arkansas vs Hawaii March Madness has kicked off, and Arkansas basketball’s first-round matchup against 13-seed Hawai’i is less than 24 hours away. The NCAA Tournament’s unique media environment allows for a broader range of journalists to cover the action, including access to locker rooms after practices for informal Q&A sessions. While some players still participate in traditional press conferences, Arkansas’ DJ Wagner and Darius Acuff Jr. previewed their team’s showdown with the Rainbow Warriors on Wednesday. The Athletic’s Lindsey Schnell opened with a pointed question about John Calipari’s locker room presence, referencing his tendency to speak at length during press conferences. Wagner deflected the jab with a calm response: “Coach is who he is. He’s himself no matter where he’s at… He just likes to motivate us. Our meetings don’t take too long.” Schnell followed up with a question about the tournament’s expansion beyond 68 teams, to which Acuff replied, “This is my first year, so I don’t really have much to say on that. You have to ask certain coaches.” Wagner echoed the sentiment, adding, “Same for me, really.” Both players demonstrated poise in handling potentially awkward questions, focusing instead on their team’s goals. Arkansas’ priority is advancing deep into the tournament, a task that relies heavily on Acuff’s performance. The unanimous first-team All-American has been a key contributor, averaging 7.6 points and 2.4 assists while showing flashes of dominance in clutch moments. His ability to elevate his game in March could be critical for the Razorbacks’ success. Hawai’i, meanwhile, presents a formidable challenge. The mid-major squad ranks 212th in KenPom efficiency but boasts exceptional size, with five starters 6-foot-6 or taller.#hawai_i #darius_acuff_jr #john_calipari #dj_wagner #isaac_johnson
Former US Rep. Colleen Hanabusa Dies At 74 Colleen Hanabusa, a former U.S. representative from Hawaiʻi, passed away on Thursday at the age of 74. She served in the House of Representatives twice, from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2016 to 2019. Governor Josh Green issued a directive on Friday for the U.S. flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag to be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol, all state offices, and Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities in her honor until sunrise on Monday. In a press release, Green expressed his condolences, stating, “Colleen Hanabusa dedicated her life to serving the people of Hawaiʻi — from the Waiʻanae Coast she proudly called home, to the halls of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and the United States Congress. She broke barriers as the first woman to serve as President of the Hawaiʻi State Senate and spent decades advocating for her community with strength, determination and heart. Her legacy of leadership and public service will continue to inspire generations to come.” Hanabusa’s political career spanned several decades. She served as a state senator from 1999 to 2010, representing a district on Oʻahu’s Waiʻanae Coast, where her family had lived for generations. During her tenure, she became the first woman to hold the position of Senate president, a role she occupied for two years. She also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014, for Hawaiʻi governor in 2018, and for mayor of Honolulu in 2020, though none of these campaigns were successful. In recent years, Hanabusa held prominent roles in local governance. She chaired the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, a position she resigned from in September 2025. She also served on the State Salary Commission. As an attorney, she was known for her commitment to public service and community advocacy.#colleen_hanabusa #josh_green #hawai_i #wai_anae_coast #honolulu_authority_for_rapid_transportation
