The Cal Poly Mustangs are set to face off against the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors in an exciting Big West matchup on Thursday night. This game marks the 30th all-time meeting between the two teams, and the stakes are high for the Rainbow Warriors, who are pushing for the regular-season title.
The matchup will take place at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawai’i, starting at 11:59 PM ET, and will be available for viewing on ESPN+. The odds for the game show Cal Poly as a slight underdog, with a spread of +11.5, while Hawai’i holds a corresponding -11.5 spread.
The Mustangs come into this game with a record of 11-16 overall and 7-8 in Big West conference play. While they have shown strong offensive capabilities, ranking 13th nationally in three-point field goals made per game (11.0), their recent form is concerning. After suffering back-to-back losses, including a tough defeat against Utah State, they face challenging odds. Hamad Mousa is their standout player, leading the team with an average of 20.0 points and six rebounds per game, supported well by Peter Bandelj, who has also excelled in scoring from beyond the arc.
In contrast, the Rainbow Warriors have a solid record of 18-6 and 10-4 in the Big West, showcasing their strength by winning five of their last six games, despite a recent hiccup against CSUN. Hawai’i boasts one of the best defenses in the nation, ranking fifth in 3-point percentage defense at just .278. Four players contribute significantly to their offense, with Isaac Johnson leading with averages of 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Historically, Hawai’i has the upper hand in their encounters, winning 19 of the 29 matchups, including a decisive 86-66 victory in their last confrontation this January. Given Cal Poly’s defensive struggles, allowing an average of 85.3 points per game, this matchup favors the Rainbow Warriors, as they look to leverage their home-court advantage and strong defensive capabilities.
As both teams prepare for this critical contest, the Rainbow Warriors aim to maintain their momentum and edge closer to the Big West title, while the Mustangs seek to turn their season around with a crucial victory.