University of Hawai’i Men’s Basketball Faces East Texas A&M in Home Opener

The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team is set to host East Texas A&M in its much-anticipated home opener. The game will take place at Bankoh Arena, located within the Stan Sheriff Center, on Sunday, November 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and will precede a women’s volleyball match featuring the Rainbow Wahine against CSU Bakersfield at 4:00 p.m.

Game Details and Promotions

This matchup marks the beginning of a rigorous schedule for the Rainbow Warriors, with 11 consecutive home games planned through December 13. The team recently opened its season on November 4, narrowly losing to Oregon with a final score of 60-59, due to a last-second shot by Takai Simpkins.

Community Initiatives

• Food Drive: The University of Hawai’i Athletics Department is partnering with the Hawai’i Foodbank for a three-day food drive. Fans are encouraged to contribute nonperishable items at Gate A of Bankoh Arena.
• Bookmobile: Hawaii Literacy will provide access to books and educational resources for families attending the event.
• Super Fan Promotion: Fans attending either the women’s volleyball or men’s basketball game on Sunday can enjoy a 50% discount on upper-level adult tickets for the other event.

Team and Coaching Overview

The Rainbow Warriors are currently under the guidance of Head Coach Eran Ganot, who has an overall record of 174 wins and 121 losses in his 12th season, with 171 of those victories occurring during his time at Hawai’i.

Matchup History

East Texas A&M leads the all-time series against Hawai’i with a record of 1-0. This marks the second meeting between the two teams. Their last encounter resulted in East Texas A&M’s upset victory, winning 53-51 on November 30, 2022.

Current Team Performance

As for the current season, East Texas A&M comes into the game with a record of 1-1. They secured a convincing 119-60 victory against Arlington Baptist, but suffered a loss to New Mexico, falling 76-54 in their previous game on November 5.

Recent Highlights

In their opener against Oregon, the Rainbow Warriors demonstrated resilience by erasing a double-digit deficit. Despite their efforts, shooting at just 32% and making only 12 out of 19 free throws ultimately impacted the game. Freshman Isaac Johnson led the team with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three steals in what was a promising debut for seven new players.

This upcoming game against East Texas A&M is filled with excitement and anticipation, as the Rainbow Warriors look to secure their first home victory of the season.