UH/Minnesota Game Notes

The Hawai'i men's basketball team will face Minnesota of the Big 10, Monday, March 24, in a second round match-up of the Owens Corning NIT. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CST at Williams Arena.

The Rainbow Warriors will be making its fourth appearance in the second round after advancing in the 1990, '97, and '98 tournaments.

The Teams: Hawai`i (19-11, 9-9 WAC) snapped a three-game postseason losing streak with a 85-68 victory at UNLV, Wednesday, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota (17-12, 8-8 Big 10) snapped a five-game overall losing streak with a 62-52 victory over Saint Louis, Wednesday, in its NIT first round game.

The Coaches: UH's Riley Wallace (16th season) owns a 262-215 record at the Manoa campus. Minnesota's Dan Monson (4th season) has complied a 65-55 record.

Series History: First Meeting.

About the Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-12, 8-8 Big 10): The Golden Gophers are making its ninth appearance in the NIT and advanced to the second round after a 62-52 victory at Saint Louis, Wednesday. Minnesota has advanced to the second round in each of its last four trips to the tournament while capturing the NIT championship in 1993. The Gophers finished in a tie for sixth in the Big 10 but suffered a 76-64 loss to Northwestern in the first round of the conference tournament. Leading the team in scoring is All-American candidate Rick Rickert (6-11, Duluth, MN). The sophomore is averaging 15.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor. Three other Gophers average double figures in scoring, including guard Maurice Hargrow (6-4, St. Paul, MN), forward Michael Bauer (6-8, Hastings, MN), and center Jerry Holman (6-10, St. Paul, MN). As a team, Minnesota averages 74.0 points per game and shoots 43.5 percent from the field.

Television Coverage: None

Radio Coverage: Sports and Talk Radio (KKEA 1420 AM), LIVE.

Game Notes: UH is 8-6 in its seven appearances in the Owens Corning NIT...the 'Bows are 2-1 in NIT second round games...Guard Carl English needs one 3-pointer to own the UH single-season record outright over Trevor Ruffin (1993-94)....the 'Bows are 3-9 in the postseason in games played on the mainland...UH is 9-13 all-time against Big 10 opponents...Minnesota and Penn State are the only active members of the Big 10, the 'Bows have not played.

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