Game Notes
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior basketball team gets its 2008-09 campaign underway with the Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic this weekend at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH opens the season versus San Francisco of the West Coast Conference on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:35 p.m.
Cal State Fullerton and Texas State will precede the UH game at 5:00 p.m. Texas State will then face USF on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m., followed by UH versus Cal State Fullerton. The Tip-Off Classic kicks off a busy weekend for the 'Bows who will play three games in four nights. UH will also face Idaho State on Monday, Nov. 17 at 11:00 p.m. as part of ESPN's College Hoops Tip-off Marathon.
The Rainbow Warriors look to get back to its winning ways after a 2007-08 campaign that saw the team drop its final seven contests and finish below .500 for the first time in nine years. Head coach Bob Nash begins his second season as Rainbow Warrior head coach with a diverse group of players which includes five returning letterwinners, four returning redshirts and six newcomers. The 'Bows went 2-0 during its exhibition season, defeating UH-Hilo, 72-70, and Chaminade, 80-63.
Game 1 Tip-Off Notes
What: Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic
Hawai'i (0-0) vs. San Francisco (0-0)
When: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Time: 7:35 p.m. HT
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) - Honolulu Hawai'i
Television: KFVE-TV (Ch. 5 - The Home Team). Jim Leahey will handle the play-by-play and Artie Wilson will provide color commentary. Rebroadcast at 10:30 p.m.
Streaming Video: Live video streaming is available on uhstreaming.oceanic.com.
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KPUA in Hilo, KMWB in Kona.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: $26 (lower); $18 (upper-adult); $16 (upper-sr. citizen); $5 (upper-students); $3 (upper-UH students); $5 (lower super rooter). Parking $3.
Promotions: “Student Nights.” UH system students will receive a FREE ticket with a valid identification for UH's games on Nov. 14 (USF), Nov. 16 (Cal State Fullerton) and Nov. 17 (Idaho State).
Coaches: Bob Nash (11-19) is in his second year at UH. Rex Walters begins his first season at USF.
Series Information: USF leads, 8-4
About San Francisco: USF finished with a 10-21 overall mark last year and placed fifth in the West Coast Conference with a 5-9 record…the Dons were selected to finish fifth again in the WCC preseason poll…USF welcomes back a solid core of veterans, headlined by junior forward Dior Lowhorn (first-team all-conference) and senior guard Manny Quezada…last season, Lowhorn and Quezada carried the bulk of the offensive load, averaging a combined 34.4 points per game and accounting for more than half of the team's offense…USF is led by first-year head coach Rex Walters…Walters was key member of the Kansas Jayhawk team that defeated UH in the 1992 Rainbow Classic semifinals and later went on to the 1993 Final Four.
About Cal State Fullerton: The Titans are coming off a 24-9 season that culminated in the Titans' first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 30 years…Fullerton won the Big West regular season title with a 12-4 record and lost to Wisconsin in the NCAA First Round…the Titans return one starter, senior guard Josh Akognon who averaged 20.2 ppg and was the conference's third-leading scorer…eight newcomers--five JC transfers and three freshman--join the team…Bob Burton enters his sixth season at Fullerton (92-60).
About Texas State: Four starters and nine lettermen returning from last year's 13-16 team…the Bobcats were picked sixth in the Southland Conference's West Division preseason poll…TSU is led by senior guard Brandon Bush, who has led the team in scoring and rebounding the last two seasons….Doug Davalos is in his third season with the Bobcats and is 22-36.
-UH-
