Men’s Basketball Team Begins Season with Away Game at Oregon
The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team is set to commence the 2025-26 regular season with an away game against the Oregon Ducks. This matchup will take place on Tuesday, November 4, at 7:30 p.m. PT (5:30 p.m. HT) in Matthew Knight Arena. Fans can catch the action live on the Big Ten Network.
Season Opening Details
This season opener is notable for the Rainbow Warriors, marking their first road opening in nearly two decades. Their last such game was in 2006 when they faced UNLV. Over the past 55 years, this will only be the sixth time Hawai’i opens the season away from home.
Historical Context
- All-Time Series Record: Oregon leads the series 6-5.
- Games in Eugene: Oregon holds a 3-0 record against Hawai’i.
- Last Meeting: Oregon defeated Hawai’i 89-64 on December 7, 2019.
Team Background
The Rainbow Warriors are coming off a challenging season, finishing with a record of 15-16 overall and 7-13 in the Big West Conference. This marked their second losing season, the first occurring eight years ago. Under the leadership of Head Coach Eran Ganot, who enters his 11th season, the team is looking to rebound.
Roster Changes
Hawai’i returns one starter and four letterwinners from last year. In contrast, they have added nine newcomers to the roster, which includes six players transferring from Division I programs. Noteworthy among these newcomers is Isaac Johnson, who previously played at Oregon.
Preseason Insights
In the Big West preseason poll, Hawai’i was predicted to finish third. Conversely, Oregon comes off a solid previous season with a record of 25-10 and was ranked fifth in the media’s Big Ten preseason poll. They are also positioned just outside the top 25 in the Associated Press preseason rankings, coming in at 27th.
Conclusion
The upcoming game promises to be a significant challenge for the Rainbow Warriors as they aim to start the season on a positive note against a formidable opponent in Oregon.
