HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i revealed its 2010-11 men's basketball schedule which includes 17 home games at the Stan Sheriff Center, a non-conference road game in an NBA arena and the team's first neighbor island appearance in seven years. In addition, the Rainbow Warriors will host a stellar field in the second annual Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic during the Christmas holiday.

On December 17, UH will head to Maui for a regular-season game against Chicago State. The game will be played at the Lahaina Civic Center. It will be UH's first trip to the neighbor islands since the 2003 Maui Invitational.

 

“I'm pleased we'll be bringing our men's basketball team to Maui, especially in light of the cancelled men's volleyball game due to the tsunami,” UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan said. “It'll be a good opportunity for our team and certainly something special for our Maui fans. I'd like to thank Mayor Charmaine Tavares' office as well as Sen. Shan Tsutsui and Rep. Kyle Yamashita for their assistance in making this game possible.”

 

“This is exciting news for UH Rainbow Warrior fans and a great opportunity for our community to enjoy collegiate basketball,” Tavares said. “I commend the University of Hawai'i's efforts to bring their teams to the neighbor islands. Our youth are given a chance to experience an amazing game, watch accomplished players, and share in the enthusiasm that sports fans have here.”

 

 “It was a great experience when the football team came here last spring and I'm sure this will be another fantastic event,” Tsutsui said. “This is a great opportunity for our fans on Maui to see the team up-close and support UH Athletics.”

 

 “We couldn't be more excited to have the basketball team come to Maui,” Yamashita added. “I'm particularly excited for our island youth, who will be able to see sports at the collegiate level.” 

 

UH opens the regular-season on Nov. 12 with the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic, the debut for first-year head coach Gib Arnold. The tournament will again be a round-robin format as the 'Bows will host Cal State Fullerton, Central Michigan and Montana State during a four-day stretch.

 

After playing its first five games of the season at home, UH will head to the road for a pair of non-conference “return” games. UH will play at Cal Poly on Dec. 1, after meeting the Mustangs in last year's ESPN BracketBusters in Honolulu. The 'Bows will then take on BYU on Dec. 4. The Cougars, who advanced to second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, defeated the 'Bows in Honolulu last November. The game will played at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, home of the NBA's Utah Jazz.

 

Hawai'i will host the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Dec. 22-23, 25). Four of the eight teams in the Diamond Head Classic appeared in postseason play last season, highlighted by a Butler squad that advanced to the NCAA championship game. Baylor and Florida State were also NCAA participants, with the Bears making a run to the Elite Eight. Mississippi State barely missed the NCAAs and earned an NIT bid. San Diego, Utah and Washington State round out the field.

 

UH begins Western Athletic Conference immediately following the Diamond Head Classic and play four of its first six league games on the road. The Rainbow Warriors will take on defending champions Utah State on the road in their WAC opener on Dec. 29. UH's first league home game comes on Jan. 6 against Idaho.

 

The WAC will again participate in the ESPUN BracketBusters with UH playing a non-conference road game on Feb. 19 .Match-ups will be announced by ESPN in early February. UH closes the regular season on the road at Fresno State (March 5).

 

This year WAC Tournament will be in Las Vegas, Nev., and begins Mar. 9. The top eight teams in the league will advance to the tournament.