HONOLULU — In a game with huge conference implications, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team takes on UC Santa Barbara Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in a nationally-televised game on AC Carter Night at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
Following Thursday's action, only 1.5 games separates the top four teams in the conference. The Rainbow Warriors slipped into a tie for second in the Big West following its loss to Cal Poly, one game behind league leader UC Irvine. The Gauchos remain just a half game behind UH after its overtime loss to CSUN, who moved into a tie for second with UH.
It will be a milestone evening on Saturday as UH basketball great AC Carter will have his jersey retired during a halftime ceremony for just the second jersey retirement in program history. The game is part of Legends Weekend and more info and ticket deals can be found here.
PROMOTIONS
Saturday Feb. 21 - AC Carter Night vs. UC Santa Barbara presented by Coca-Cola
- For only the second time in program history, a jersey will be retired and hung from the rafters. Fan favorite AC Carter will be in attendance as we all come together to honor his legacy.
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A total of 2,300 shirts will be given out thanks to Coca-Cola – 1,600 at Gate A as fans enter Bankoh Arena, 400 for UH students at Gate B, and the final 300 will be tossed into the crowd throughout the evening. All fans are encouraged to wear white on AC Carter Night.
- Henry Kapono will be joined by the City of Refuge Christian Church choir to sing the national anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i before tipoff.
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Halftime will be dedicated to AC Carter, as he'll be joined by friends, coaches, former teammates, and other legends of the men's basketball program for the unveiling of the #23 banner.
"4 Da 'Ohana Ticket Pack" - $79: Ticket package includes four upper level baseline seats and $50 in concession credit. A maximum of 2 packs per game may be purchased. This offer must be purchased online at least 2 hours prior to the event.
HEAD COACH ERAN GANOTOverall record: 192-127 (12th season)
At Hawai'i: 189-125 (11th season)
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDUH leads, 23-11
In Honolulu: UH leads, 10-8
Streak: UCSB, 8
NEWS & NOTES
- UH and UC Santa Barbara engage in a pivotal game in the Big West leaderboard.
- UH is in a tie for second place in the standings, a game behind UC Irvine, while UCSB is just a half game back of UH.
- Both teams are coming off home losses on Thursday – UH to Cal Poly and UCSB to CSUN.
- The 'Bows dropped just their second home game this year (14-2) and first since a November 20 loss to Arizona State following its Thursday setback to Cal Poly.
- It also marked the first time this year that UH has lost back-to-back contests.
- UH has lost eight straight versus the Gauchos, including a 77-66 loss in Santa Barbara on Jan 17.
- The Gauchos are 10-8 against UH in Honolulu and have won three straight with UH's last win coming in 2022, 65-62
- UCSB leads the Big West and rank 16th in the NCAA in 3FG percentage (.381). UH ranks 5th nationally in 3FG percentage defense (.279).
- UCSB's Zion Sensley (11.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is the son of former UH all-conference forward Julian Sensley (2003-06).
AC Carter Highlights
- Anthony "AC" Carter will be just the second player in program history to have his jersey retired, joining former UH great Bob Nash.
- Carter played two seasons at UH (1996-98) and was a two-time honorable mention All-American and the 1996-97 WAC Pacific Division Player of the Year.
- One of the most electrifying players in program history, he helped generate a Stan Sheriff Center-record 12 sellout crowds during the 1997-98 campaign.
- He led UH to some of the most iconic wins in program lore that season – an upset over Bobby Knight and nationally-ranked Indiana in the 1997-98 season-opener and a stunner over No. 2-ranked Kansas a little more than a month later to capture the Rainbow Classic title.
- He left UH as the career-leader in assists average (6.9), while ranking third all-time in assists despite playing just two seasons and still holds the single-season assists record (212, 1997-98). Carter is one of just four UH players to eclipse 1,000 points in just two seasons.
- Carter went on to an 14-year NBA playing career, most notably with the Miami Heat and has also enjoyed a 10-year NBA coaching career.
- He was a 2010 inductee into the UH Circle of Honor.
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