Story Links
HONOLULU— The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team gears up for the 59th Annual OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic Nov. 12, 14, 15 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Manhattan, Utah Tech, and the Rainbow Warriors’ tournament-opening opponent Mississippi Valley State, join Hawai’i in this year’s tournament field.
The OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic is the longest-running preseason collegiate tournament in the country. UH has won the tournament on 16 occasions and will look to defend its 2024 Classic title.
59th Annual OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic
Opponent | Date | Time
Mississippi Valley State | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 7 p.m. HT
Manhattan | Friday, Nov. 14 | 7 p.m. HT
Utah Tech | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7 p.m. HT
Location
Honolulu, O’ahu – Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
Television
Spectrum Sports – Ch. 12 [SD] and 1012 [HD]
Live Stream
ESPN+ (Blacked out in Hawai’i)
Radio
ESPN Honolulu / Sideline Hawaii App
Live Stats
StatBroadcast.com
Game Notes
Hawai’i
Social Media
@HawaiiMBB | #HawaiiMBB | @HawaiiBasketball | Facebook
Tickets
ETicketHawaii.com
PROMOTIONSAt each UH game in the tournament, title sponsor OUTRIGGER will host exciting halftime events with great prizes. The winner will receive a one-night stay at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel plus two tickets to the hottest show in Hawai’i — ‘Auana by Cirque du Soleil. The runner-up will take home a $50 gift card.
Be sure to watch for the OUTRIGGER PaddleCam for your chance to win $100 in Kani Ka Pila Grille gift cards at the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. A lucky seat fan will score an OUTRIGGER visor, and our team will toss stadium-approved giveaways into the stands during intermission.
Wednesday, Nov. 12: Taste of Hawai’i Series with “Bows and Brews. Food is a special part of the culture in Hawai’i and it’s time we recognize it with Rainbow Warrior basketball! We recognize spam with various offers in Bank Arena for fans to enjoy, along with a Spam Musubi Toss courtesy of 7 Eleven. Meanwhile, the ‘Bows and Brews deal is $30 and includes two upper level seats and $20 in concession credit. A maximum of eight seats per game may be purchased. This offer must be purchased online.
Friday, Nov. 14: Hawaiian Reggae Night. Come to the game and groove with all kinds of reggae vibes. Have a suggestion for a song or two? We’re all ears!
Saturday, Nov. 15: Rally the Island Night. It’s the first Saturday night game of the season and we want Bankoh Arena bouncing all night long! Create a true home atmosphere with ti leaves, creative signs, and loudest “CHEE HOOO” as possible!
HEAD COACH ERAN GANOTOverall record: 175-121 (12th season)
At Hawai’i: 172-119 (11th season)
ALL-TIME RECORDS vs. TOURNAMENT FIELDvs. Mississippi Valley State: 5-0
vs. Manhattan: 1-0
vs. Utah Tech: First meeting
OPENING TIP
- UH seeks its 17th Rainbow Classic title and fourth under 11th-year head coach Eran Ganot
- UH won the title last year with wins over Life Pacific, San Jose State and Pacific.
- The ‘Bows haven’t claimed back-to-back Classic titles since winning four straight from 2001-04.
- UH is 101-69 (.594) all-time in the Classic, including 19-5 (.792) in the tournament under Eran Ganot.
- UH is coming off a 100-74 win over East Texas A&M on Sunday, a game in which it hit the century mark for the first time in eight years.
- The ‘Bows also set new program records for free throws made (37) and attempted (55) in the win over the Lions.
- Six different players are averaging double-figures through the first two games, led by Isaac Johnson (13.0) who also is averaging 9.5 rpg.
- The ‘Bows play 11 straight home games, including seven games in the month of November.
- Following the Rainbow Classic, UH will play host to Arizona State on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE FIELD
- Mississippi Valley State is 1-2 on the season and has allowed 100+ points in each of its losses at UAB and at Murray State. The Delta Devils play 12 of its first 14 games away from home.
- Manhattan comes to Honolulu with a 1-1 mark, defeating St. Joseph’s (Brooklyn) at home, 125-59, in its home opener, before falling at USC, 114-83, on Sunday. The Jaspers were picked fourth in the preseason MAAC poll after going 17-14 overall and 12-8 in conference last season.
- Utah Tech played four games in seven days – with three on the road – to start the year. The Trailblazers went 2-2 with wins at South Dakota and vs. Bethesda and losses at No. 13 Arizona at Arizona State.
- Sophomore guard Chance Trujillo was named the WAC Newcomer of the Week after averaging 13.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3.0 apg. Trujillo was a teammate of Rainbow Warrior Isaac Finlinson at Snow College last season.
- Finlinson played his freshman season at Utah Tech (2022-23) while Gibson Johnson coached there for two seasons (2022-24).
COACHES VS. CANCER MIXER
- Head Coach Eran Ganot hosts the annual Coaches vs. Cancer mixer Saturday, November 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the Ed Wong Hospitality Suite at the Stan Sheriff Center.
- The mixer celebrates the OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic, the longest-running preseason college basketball tournament country, while raising important funds in the fight against cancer. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with coaches and supporters over pupus and drinks, win exciting prizes and more.
- The event will benefit the American Cancer Society T.C. Ching Hope Lodge, a 100 percent cost-free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers while they seek lifesaving treatment on O’ahu.
- For reservations or more information contact Sarah Foy at sarah.foy@cancer.org or at (713) 628-8926. Or visit ACSMove.org/HIChampionsofHope
#HawaiiMBB
