Hawaii Men's Basketball Pursues Big West Glory

In the sizzling desert city of Henderson, Nevada, the stage is set for an epic showdown as the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team prepares to battle against the formidable UC Davis Aggies in the Hercules Tires Big West Championship semifinals. With the stakes at an all-time high and the adrenaline pumping, both teams are poised to leave everything on the hardwood of The Dollar Loan Center.

The No. 3 seed Rainbow Warriors have already tasted victory in the quarterfinals, emerging triumphant against the No. 7 seed CSUN with a hard-fought 75-68 win. This triumph not only propelled them into the semifinals but also secured their second consecutive 20-win season, a feat that has eluded the program since their remarkable three-year run from 2014 to 2016.

Now, the ‘Bows turn their sights towards the No. 2 seed UC Davis Aggies, a formidable opponent boasting a 19-12 overall record and an impressive 14-6 mark in the Big West Conference. The Aggies, who enjoyed a double-bye into the semifinals, will undoubtedly pose a stern test for the resilient Rainbow Warriors.

Despite the challenge ahead, the Rainbow Warriors enter this pivotal matchup brimming with confidence, having won four straight contests and nine of their last 12 games. Their recent surge has been fueled by a potent offensive onslaught, shooting an impressive 48% from the field, 41% from beyond the arc, and a staggering 76% from the charity stripe over their last 10 outings.

Defensively, the ‘Bows have been equally impressive, holding their opponents to a mere 25% shooting from three-point range during this stretch. Their tenacious defense has also stifled opposing offenses, with UH’s opponents assisting on just 37.1% of their field goals, the second-lowest rate in the nation according to KenPom.

Leading the charge for the Rainbow Warriors is the dynamic duo of Bernardo da Silva and Noel Coleman. Da Silva, who recently etched his name into the annals of UH history by becoming the 18th player to score 1,000 points in his illustrious career, has been a driving force for the team’s success. Alongside him, Coleman’s tenacity and clutch performances have propelled the ‘Bows to new heights.

As the clock ticks down to the highly anticipated semifinal clash, the Rainbow Warriors find themselves on the cusp of a remarkable achievement – reaching the tournament finals for the third time overall and the first time since their triumphant 2016 title run. A victory over UC Davis would not only extend their winning streak to five games but would also solidify their status as a force to be reckoned with in the Big West Conference.

With the roar of the crowd echoing through The Dollar Loan Center and the national spotlight shining bright, the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team embraces the pressure and the opportunity to etch their names into the pantheon of college basketball history. As the battle lines are drawn, one thing is certain: the Rainbow Warriors are poised to paint the town in vibrant hues of victory, one basket at a time.