The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team is set to face UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in a nationally-televised game on ESPNU. The matchup, held at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, carries significant weight for the Big West Conference standings.
As of Thursday’s games, only 1.5 games separate the top four teams in the conference. Hawai’i moved into a tie for second place with CSUN after a loss to Cal Poly, trailing league leader UC Irvine by one game. UC Santa Barbara is just half a game behind Hawai’i following its overtime loss to CSUN.
Saturday will also mark AC Carter Night, where former UH player Anthony “AC” Carter will have his jersey retired during halftime. This is only the second jersey retirement in program history. Carter played two seasons for UH from 1996 to 1998 and was recognized as an honorable mention All-American twice and named WAC Pacific Division Player of the Year in 1996-97. He helped lead UH to notable victories during his tenure and left as the career-leader in assists average (6.9), third all-time in assists, and still holds the single-season assist record (212). Carter went on to play 14 years in the NBA and has spent a decade coaching in the league.
A total of 2,300 shirts will be distributed to fans attending Saturday’s game, courtesy of Coca-Cola. Fans are encouraged to wear white for AC Carter Night. Henry Kapono and the City of Refuge Christian Church choir will perform the national anthem and Hawai’i Pono’i before tipoff.
At halftime, Carter will be joined by friends, coaches, former teammates, and other program legends for the unveiling of his #23 banner.
Ticket packages such as the “4 Da ‘Ohana Ticket Pack” are available online ahead of the event.
Head coach Eran Ganot enters his twelfth season with an overall record of 192-127 and a record at Hawai’i of 189-125 over eleven seasons.
Hawai’i leads UC Santa Barbara in their all-time series 23-11 but has lost eight straight games against UCSB, including their last meeting on January 17 when UCSB won 77-66 in Santa Barbara. In Honolulu, UCSB has won three consecutive matchups since UH’s last win over them in 2022.
UCSB currently leads the Big West Conference—and ranks sixteenth nationally—in three-point field goal percentage (.381), while Hawai’i ranks fifth nationally in three-point field goal percentage defense (.279). UCSB’s Zion Sensley averages 11 points and seven rebounds per game; he is the son of former UH forward Julian Sensley.
Fans can follow updates through @HawaiiMBB on social media or purchase tickets online for this pivotal conference clash.
“Fan favorite AC Carter will be in attendance as we all come together to honor his legacy.”
“Halftime will be dedicated to AC Carter, as he’ll be joined by friends, coaches, former teammates, and other legends of the men’s basketball program for the unveiling of the #23 banner.”
