RENO, Nev. - The Hawai`i men's basketball team opens play in the 2005 Western Athletic Conference Tournament against San Jose State, Tuesday, March 8, in one of two `play-in' games. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. PST (4:00 p.m. HST) at the Lawlor Events Center.

This Week's Matchup
The Rainbow Warriors (15-12, 7-11 WAC) concluded the regular season with a 66-59 victory over Fresno State on Saturday. The win snapped a five-game losing streak, which was the longest since during the 1998-99 season.

UH finished seventh in the WAC standings with a 7-11 league record, its lowest finish since placing seventh during the 1998-99 campaign.

The Spartans (6-22, 3-15) have lost 10 straight games, since sweeping Tulsa and Rice at home in January. San Jose State is 1-7 all-time in the WAC Tournament, its only victory occurring in the 2002 "play-in" game.

UH leads the overall series 15-8, including a 71-56 victory in the 2002 WAC Tournament quarterfinals. The 'Bows swept the season series this year, winning 71-45 in Honolulu on Jan. 8 and 84-73 in San Jose, Calif., on Feb. 5.

Game Update
UH is winless in five appearances at the Lawlor Events Center...UH is 19-18 all-time in the WAC Tournament, including an 8-3 mark since 2000...in UH's two wins over SJSU this season, the 'Bows out-rebounded the Spartans by an average of 38 to 25...UH has won the last four meetings against the Spartans.

Television: None

Radio: Sports Radio KKEA 1420 AM. Bobby Curran (play-by-play), Jeff Portnoy (color), LIVE. Webcast link on HawaiiAthletics.com

Coaches: UH head coach Riley Wallace is in his 18th season (298-239). San Jose State head coach Phil Johnson is in his fourth season (31-82).

Series: UH leads 15-8. Last meeting: UH won 84-73, Feb. 5, 2005 in San Jose, Calif.

Tickets: All-Session packages are still availabe for $125 and $95. Men's Individual Session tickets are $26 and $19.

Officials: TBA

WAC Tournament "Play-In" Game Opponent: San Jose State
Second team all-WAC forward Marquin Chandler leads the team in both scoring (19.8) and rebounding (8.5). He ranks fifth in the WAC in scoring and fourth in rebounds. In Saturday's regular season finale against Nevada, Chandler scored 25 points in the Spartans near-upset of the No. 25 Wolf Pack. Guard Alex Elam is averaging 10.0 ppg and leads the team with 49 3-pointers. As a team, the Spartans are averaging 61.5 ppg and shooting 40.5 percent from the field, including 34.4 percent from 3-point range. Head coach Phil Johnson owns a 31-82 record in his fourth and final season.

Last Meeting: UH shot 57.7 percent and drained a season-best 13 3-pointers en route to an 84-73 victory over San Jose State, Feb. 5, 2005 at The Event Center. The 'Bows also matched their season-high in points while snapping an eight-game WAC road regular season losing streak. Guard Matt Gibson led UH with 23 points and five 3-pointers while Julian Sensley added 22 points and eight rebounds.

-uh-