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HONOLULU — The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team closes out its 11-game homestand and the nonconference portion of its schedule when it takes on UTEP on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
The Rainbow Warriors (9-2) are riding a five-game win streak and have been a sparkling 9-1 in its previous 10 home contests. The matchup with UTEP (3-5) is a meeting both rooted in the past and facing the future. The team’s locked horns in the Western Athletic Conference for more than 25 years, before going separate ways in 2005. This will be the second-ever nonconference meeting between the programs before they rekindle their rivalry as Mountain West members next season.
PROMOTIONSRaising Cane’s is the game sponsor and will give rally towels to the first 300 fans through the doors, and one lucky fan will win a $50 Raising Cane’s prize pack.
UH Football Team – Autograph Session & Halftime Recognition
A free autograph session with select members of the Rainbow Warrior football team will be held on the concourse inside the arena from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Fans must have a ticket to the men’s basketball game to participate. Up to 20 select members of the football team will be available. As a part of the halftime festivities all members of the football team, along with head coach Timmy Chang and staff will be honored for their memorable season.
Mele Kalikimaka Day with Teddy Bear Toss: ‘Help those who be a little less fortunate by dropping off a new toy as you enter Bankoh Arena during our Toys for Tots Drive. We also encourage you to bring a fluffy stuffed animal to watch the game with you. After the game, you can join us with our Third Annual Teddy Bear Toss. All donations thrown on the floor will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Raising Cane’s Keiki Runout Tunnel
A few lucky kids will gain pre-game access to the tunnel by the players locker room, a team photo on the court, and will make a tunnel for the team with high fives as they take the court for the game! If you have a youth team interested in booking this experience for a future game later in the season, click here to learn more.
“4 Da ‘Ohana Pack”: A $79 purchase that includes four upper level baseline seats and $50 in concession credit. A maximum of 2 packs per game may be purchased. This offer must be purchased online at least 2 hours prior to the event.
HEAD COACH ERAN GANOTOverall record: 183-122 (12th season)
At Hawai’i: 180-120 (11th season)
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDUTEP leads, 35-18
In Honolulu: UTEP leads, 15-13
Streak: UH, 1
NEWS & NOTES
- UH and UTEP faced off every year between 1980 to 2005 (with the exception of 1997 & ’98) as members of the Western Athletic Conference.
- Next year they will become conference rivals again as members of the Mountain West.
- The teams last met in the opening round of the 2019 Diamond Head Classic with UH prevailing, 67-63, in the only other nonconference meeting.
- UH is off to its best 11-game start since the 2015-16 team that began 16-2. Their five-game win streak is the longest since the start of the 2023-24 season.
- UH is in the top 25 nationally in eight different categories including 13th in scoring defense (63.3), and 10th in 3FG% defense (.263).
- The Miners rank 19th nationally in turnovers forced per game (16.5). UH is 291 in turnovers committed per game at 13.9.
- Following its meeting versus UTEP, the ‘Bows will not play again until they resume Big West play on the road with games at UC Riverside (Jan. 1) and UC San Diego (Jan. 3).
- UH’s next home game will not be until Saturday, Jan. 10 when it hosts UC Irvine.
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