Men’s basketball kicks off the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic this Sunday

On By Littum

HONOLULU— The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team (6-3) hosts the 2024 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Dec. 22, 23 and 25 at SimpliFi Arena in the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors will meet Charlotte (6-4) in an opening round matchup on Sunday, December 22 at 18:30. Joining UH and Charlotte in this year’s field are the College of Charleston, Loyola Chicago, Murray State, Nebraska, Oakland and Oregon State.

For those attending games this week, be sure to visit Game Day information pagewhich includes important information about digital ticketing, parking, clear bag policy and much more.

  

HEAD COACH ERAN GANOTOverall record: 162-105 (11th season)
At Hawaii: 165-107 (10th season)

ALL-TIME RECORD vs. CHARLOTTEOverall: Charlotte leads, 1-0
In Honolulu: Charlotte leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Dec. 29, 1998 – Charlotte, 70-68

ALL-TIME RECORD IN DIAMOND HEAD CLASSICSOverall: 18-20 (3 wins released)
Best finish: Champions (2022)

GAME STORY LINES

  • UH hosts the 15th edition of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic with an opening round matchup against Charlotte.

  • This will be just the second ever meeting between the teams and the first in 26 years. Charlotte won the first meeting in Honolulu, 70-68, during the 1998 Rainbow Classic.

  • After dropping two straight games, UH rebounded with a 72-63 home win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 14.

  • The ‘Bows are 6-1 at home this year and have won 12 of their last 13 games at SimpliFi Arena dating back to last season.

  • UH ranks 30th nationally in rebound margin (+8.1) and 31st in bench points per battle (31.4).

  • Charlotte leads the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game. battle (8.7). They also rank in the top 10 in free throw attempts (27.1, 5th) and made (19.4, 10th) per match.

  • Hawaii will face either Murray State or Nebraska on the second day of the tournament.



TOURNAMENT NOTES

  • The eight Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic teams are currently a combined 53-24 (.654), led by a Loyola Chicago team that is 9-1.

  • Four teams will make their first appearance in the DHC: Charlotte, Loyola Chicago, Murray State and Oakland.

  • Among the returning teams are Oregon State (2013), Nebraska (2014) and a College of Charleston program that competed in the inaugural Diamond Head Classic in 2009.

  • Charleston coach Chris Mack is making his second appearance in the DHC after bringing a nationally ranked Xavier team to the 2011 edition.

  • Also returning is Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg, who led nationally ranked Iowa State to the tournament title in 2013.

  • UH head coach Eran Ganot has been a part of nine of the previous 14 DHC tournaments — seven as the UH head coach and once each as a UH and Saint Mary’s assistant.

  • Former UH assistant Marlon Stewart (2017-18) returns to Honolulu as a member of the Oregon State staff.

  • Oregon State and Hawai’i are among the most diverse teams in all of college basketball. The Beavers have players from nine different countries, while UH has eight. Only UT Martin (11) surpasses them.

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