The University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball team has successfully claimed the top spot in the Big West Conference standings after a significant win against the renowned UC Irvine on January 10. However, the challenge now lies in maintaining this position as they prepare for two crucial home games.
The Rainbow Warriors are scheduled to face Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday and Cal State Northridge on Saturday, with both games set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. With an overall record of 13-4 and a 5-2 status in conference play, Hawai‘i shares the first-place position with UC Irvine but holds an early tiebreaker advantage due to their recent victory.
As they gear up for another meeting with UC Irvine on January 29—which will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU—head coach Eran Ganot emphasizes the importance of focusing on each game rather than looking too far ahead. “The consistency in every conference game, the execution is at a premium. People know each other, it’s a fight, it’s physical. There’s more on the line,” Ganot stated, reminding his team that each game carries significant stakes.
This season is particularly pivotal for Hawai‘i as it marks the last year in the Big West Conference, and the team is eager to clinch a conference championship—a title that has eluded them since Ganot took over as head coach in 2016. Previously, the Rainbow Warriors were unable to qualify for the eight-team conference tournament in 2025.
Looking toward the 2026 Big West Tournament, scheduled for March 11-14 in Henderson, Nevada, the top four teams will secure first-round byes while the top two will advance directly to the semifinals. Ganot’s squad is determined to accumulate wins to position themselves favorably for a shot at the tournament.
“The way we do seedings, with the top two byes and top four byes and the top eight make it, you see the parity in our league,” Ganot explained. He also noted that past challenges can strengthen a team, stating, “The scars and the wounds make you who you are if you use it right.”
A positive outcome on the court has translated to growing support off it, with ticket sales reaching a season-high of 6,127 for the game against UC Irvine, which drew a turnstile crowd of 4,895. Senior guard Dre Bullock expressed the importance of fan engagement, saying, “That gives us, some players on the court more of an edge to keep playing, keep going. So, yeah, just trying to give everybody a show at the same time and have fun playing hard.”
As the Rainbow Warriors work to keep their winning streak alive, the excitement around the team continues to grow, making for an exhilarating season ahead.