Hawai’i MBB: Championship on the Line vs. Long Beach State – Senior Night

Hawai’i MBB: Championship on the Line vs. Long Beach State – Senior Night

March 8, 2026 Ahmed Hassan - World News Editor News

Hawai’i Basketball Faces Championship Showdown on Senior Night

HONOLULU — The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team plays its final Big West regular-season game with a championship on the line Saturday night, hosting Long Beach State at 7:00 PM HST at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. Fans are encouraged to wear white to honor the team’s six departing seniors.

The Rainbow Warriors enter the contest tied for first place in the Big West standings with UC Irvine, which simultaneously hosts UC Davis. Both teams have already secured top-two seeds and a double-bye into next week’s Big West Championship tournament in Henderson, Nevada. A victory for Hawai’i would guarantee at least a share of the regular-season title – their second in the conference and first since the 2015-16 season.

This potential championship represents the fourth conference regular-season title overall for the program, adding to previous WAC titles secured in 1996-97 and 2001-02.

Hawai’i has demonstrated consistent offensive prowess this season, exceeding 90 points in five games, including their recent 93-74 victory over UC Riverside. Head Coach Eran Ganot’s team boasts a dominant home record of 16-2, with an 8-1 mark in Big West games. This performance marks the program’s best home record percentage-wise since the 2002-03 season and the most home wins since Ganot’s debut season in 2015-16. A win against Long Beach State would allow the team to match that previous high.

Honoring Six Seniors

Saturday’s game carries added significance as it marks the final home appearances for six departing seniors: Dre Bullock, Hunter Erickson, Isaac Johnson, Gytis Nemeikša, Harry Rouhliadeff, and Yacine Toumi. The team will honor their contributions with a special Senior Night ceremony following the game.

A carnival-like fan fest, hosted by Hawai’i’s Finest and UH Athletics, will take place from 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, featuring a live DJ and carnival games. Fans are encouraged to arrive early due to multiple events taking place on campus.

The first 1,000 fans through Gate A will receive white Senior Night shirts, courtesy of UH Federal Credit Union.

Long Beach State Enters Contest Eliminated from Tournament Contention

Long Beach State, led by former UH assistant coach Chris Acker, enters the contest having been eliminated from Big West Tournament contention following a 76-70 overtime loss at home to UC Davis. Former UH associate head coach John Montgomery is also on the Beach’s coaching staff.

Hawai’i is coming off its 93-74 win versus UC Riverside. Thirteen of UH’s 22 wins this year have come by double-digits, including seven of its 14 Big West victories. UH improved to 16-2 at home with its win over UC Riverside.

The Big West achieved its highest-ever ranking in KenPom as the 11th ranked conference in the nation. UH is the highest ranked BW team currently at 106.

UH ranks in the top 30 in the NCAA in several categories – 3FG% defense (9th), defensive rebounds (11th), FT attempts (17th), FTs made (19th) and rebound margin (26th).

The all-time series record between Hawai’i and Long Beach State stands at 21-20 in favor of the Beach, but UH leads 13-6 in games played in Honolulu. Hawai’i has won the last two contests between the teams.