Game Notes

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team begins its 33rd and final season in the Western Athletic Conference when it opens up league play against San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 7. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Hawai'i, which finished in a tie for fifth in last year's WAC standings, is a preseason No. 4 pick by both the media and coaches. San Jose State is picked sixth in the media poll and seventh in the coaches poll. The Spartans ended UH's conference title hopes last season with a last-second win in the opening round of the WAC Tournament.
 
The Rainbow Warriors enter WAC play this year with an 8-6 non-conference mark. UH has won six of its last eight games, and showed its mettle in recent wins over No. 14 Xavier and Clemson and a tight loss to No. 19 UNLV in its last outing on Dec. 31.  Senior Zane Johnson is one of four Rainbow Warriors averaging double-digit scoring, leading the team at 15.1 ppg.
 
The Spartans (6-8), meanwhile, also come in with a little bit of momentum having captured the Elgin Baylor Classic in Seattle last weekend. Sophomore guard Keith Shamburger was named the tournament MVP and subsequently the WAC Player of the Week in helping the Spartans to its first in-season tournament sweep since 1996.
 
This will be the last of nine straight in-state games for UH, including seven in the Stan Sheriff Center. UH will next head to the road for WAC games at Fresno State (Jan. 12) and Nevada (Jan. 14).
 
 
Game 15 Tip-off Notes
Who: Hawai'i (8-6, 0-0 WAC) vs. San Jose State (6-8, 0-0 WAC)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) - Honolulu, HI
Television: OCSports. Live statewide on Ch. 12 (SD) and 1012 (HD) with Kanoa Leahey (play-by-play), Tony Sellito (color) and David Hallums (color). Re-telecast at 10:00 p.m.
Streaming Video: Live video streaming is available on ocsports.tv.
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran (play-by-play) and Jeff Portnoy (color). Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON 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, ages 4-HS); UH Manoa students free with validated ID. Parking $5.
Promotions: Farmers Insurance Hawaii is the game sponsor and will distribute seat cushions to the first 1,500 fans to enter the arena. Farmers will also award a Fan Prize Pack, which includes a $100 gas gift card and other great items, during the halftime promotional contest.
Coaches: Gib Arnold is in his second year at UH (27-19). George Nessman is is in his seventh year at San Jose State (74-127).
Series Information: UH leads, 25-12