In its second and final exhibition game before crossing the ocean to open the season at Oregon, the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team will play host to neighborhood rival Chaminade at 5 p.m. Sunday in BankOh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Fans can attend the game with free admission and free parking. It will not be televised, but will be broadcast live on radio via ESPN Honolulu 1420AM.
The Warriors are coming off a 101-51 exhibition victory on Oct. 18 against NCAA Division III opponent Pomona-Pitzer, so facing the DII Silverswords on Sunday will be a step up in competition. UH had eight newcomers in the rotation, including leading scorers Isaac Johnson and Dre Bullock, who each finished with 18 points.
At the Warriors’ first official practice on Sept. 23, Bullock said the new players had meshed well so far and he was confident they would develop the necessary cohesiveness.
“It’s been pretty good, just meeting everybody from different cultures and backgrounds,” said Bullock, a 6-foot-6 grad transfer guard who played for South Dakota last season. “We have a lot of new people, compared to last year, so (we’re) just trying to get to know everybody on and off the court, trying to build our chemistry.”
On Thursday, Hawai’i coach Eran Ganot said the exhibition opener against Pomona-Pitzer was the first step in “live” preparation for the upcoming regular season, and this second game against Chaminade represents another opportunity to grow. In addition to the newcomers, the Warriors have had to adjust to various injuries to different players.
“That (Pomona-Pitzer victory) was a step, we needed to play a game against someone else, we needed to get on the floor in this great arena in front of our great fans, and go from there,” Ganot said. “There was good film, things we did well, things we can build on and things we can attack … It’s been an interesting deal, this is a six-week practice session (but) we’ve had the group for (only) one day (at full strength).”
Returning part-time starters Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (point guard) and Gytis Nmeiksa (forward) did not suit up for the Oct. 18 exhibition due to injury. Hunkin-Claytor is recovering from a broken hand and is unlikely to play on Sunday, while the status of Nmeiksa (undisclosed injury) also is questionable.