HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team hosts UC Santa Barbara in a Big West matchup on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game will tip at approximately 8 p.m. and will be part of a doubleheader with the Rainbow Wahine who face Long Beach State at 5:30 p.m.
 
The Rainbow Warriors are coming off a 57-45 win over Cal Poly on Thursday to improve to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in conference. UH now faces a UCSB squad (12-4, 1-1 BW) that posted the best non-conference record of any Big West team and sports the league's most proficient offense.
 
UH counters with a rejuvenated defense. The Rainbow Warriors have held each of it last two opponents to under 50 points and 33 percent shooting, resulting in a pair of double-digit wins. The 'Bows have also been carried by Mike Thomas who has posted consecutive double-doubles. The senior forward is averaging 18.7 ppg while shooting 87.5% (21-24) in UH's first three Big West games.

The game will have a Star Wars theme as game sponsor Coca-Cola will distribute Star Wars cups and have a Star Wars Selfie Station. H-Zone will also be selling Star Wars t-shirts (while supplies last).
 
Game 17
Who: Hawai'i (11-5, 2-1 Big West) vs. UC Santa Barbara (12-4, 1-1 Big West)
When: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018
Time: 8:00 p.m. HT
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) - Honolulu, HI
Television: Live on Spectrum Sports – Channels 16 (SD) and 1016 (HD). Kanoa Leahey (play-by-play) and Artie Wilson (color) on the call.
Streaming Video: BigWest.TV (Must be a Spectrum cable subscriber to stream in Hawai'i).
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM with Bobby Curran and Jeff Portnoy. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KPUA on the Big Island, KTOH on Kaua'i, and KNWJ in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Audio Webcast: ESPN1420AM.com/Sideline Hawai'i App.
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: $5-$30. UH Manoa students free with validated ID. Available for purchase online.
Promotions: Coca-Cola is the game sponsor and will distribute Star Wars cups at Gate A along with awarding great prizes throughout the night. Sign up for your chance to win at the sports marketing table at Gate A.  Take your very own selfie at the Coca-Cola Star Wars selfie station located on the concourse level (Ewa Side) of the Stan Sheriff Center.  H-Zone will be selling Star Wars t-shirts (while supplies last).
Coaches: Eran Ganot is in his third season at UH (53-27). Joe Pasternack in his 1st season at UCSB (12-4).
Series Information: UCSB leads, 9-8.
 
About UCSB: The Gauchos are off to a 1-1 start in conference after producing the best non-conference record (11-3) in the league...UCSB's only BW game this week is against UH...the Gauchos are the top offensive team in the Big West, leading in scoring (78.0). field goal percentage (.471), 3FG percentage (.388), and assists (15.6)...sophomore guard Max Heidegger leads a potent attack, averaging a league-best 21.6 ppg.