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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team tips off the season this week, hosting the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic from Nov. 13-16 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Joining the 'Bows in the tournament are Montana State, Coastal Carolina, Nevada and UH-Hilo.
 
Hawai'i, winners of the Classics in 2010 and '12 (tournament hiatus in 2011), open the season on Friday against Montana State (7:30 p.m.), face Coastal Carolina on Sunday (4:30 p.m.), then close the tournament with a nationally televised (ESPN2) contest on Monday (11:00 p.m.) against Nevada.
 
The 'Bows took the floor as one last week for their lone exhibition game which turned out to be more than they bargained for. UH overcame a 23-point first-half deficit to beat Chaminade 101-96 in overtime. Aaron Valdes was sensational in the win, posting 31 points and 14 rebounds and Brocke Stepteau poured in 15 points off the bench, all in the second half.
 
A fresh look will be on display as Eran Ganot enters his first season as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors. Stepteau, along with freshmen Sheriff Drammeh and senior Sai Tummala will see their first real competition in a Rainbow Warrior uniform, hoping to add to a team that finished 22-13 last season and advanced all the way to the Big West Tournament final.

Game 1
What: Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic
Who: Hawai'i vs. Montana State
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300), Honolulu, O'ahu
Television: Televised live statewide on OCSports - Digital Ch. 1016 (HD) and Ch. 16 (SD)
Streaming Video: Live video streaming is available at www.bigwest.tv
Radio: Live on ESPN 1420 AM. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona, KTOH on Kaua'i, and KNWJ in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Bobby Curran (play-by-play) and Jeff Portnoy (color) will be on the call.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on www.espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Available at www.hawaiiathletics.com
Series Information: UH leads 5-0
Promotions: Outrigger Resorts is the tournament sponsor and will distribute 1,000 spirit flags each night, beginning one hour prior to each UH game. Also, Outrigger will award up to $2,000 each night during the popular "Shoot for Loot" contest at halftime. Friday's game is a "Green-Out" and Monday's late night contest is a "Blackout" and fans are asked to wear UH-branded green and black shirts at each respective game.
UH Student Promotions: Friday's game is "Green-Out Night" and the first 700 students receive a free green t-shirt.  Saturday's game is "Warrior Tattoo Night" and the student with the best painted tattoos will win a prize.Monday is the "ESPN Late Night Blackout" game and the student with the best sign using the "ESPN" acronym will win a prize.

Tournament Schedule
Friday, Nov. 13 - Coastal Carolina vs. Nevada (4:30 p.m.); Montana State at Hawai'i (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 14 - UH-Hilo vs. Montana State (2:00 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 15 - Montana State vs. Nevada (2:00 p.m.); Coastal Carolina at Hawai'i (4:30 p.m.) 
Monday, Nov. 16 - Nevada vs. Hawai'i (ESPN2) (11:00 p.m.)