 The Cougars reached the Elite Eight, one game short of the Final Four, in 1981, Ainge's senior season.That season, Ainge won the Wooden Award as the nation's most outstanding player.Arnold left following the 1983 season and was replaced by LaDell Andersen, who had several successful seasons in the 1980s, including the 1987–88 season when the Cougars rose as high as #2 in the national rankings on their way to a 26–6 season.