UH hoops team nets
Big Monday appearance
An early start and a national television appearance highlight a new-look conference schedule for the Hawaii basketball team.
The Rainbow Warriors' Western Athletic Conference schedule released yesterday includes a mid-December WAC opener and a spot on ESPN's Big Monday.
Both of those games involve new WAC member Utah State. The Aggies make their conference debut Dec. 17 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game, originally scheduled for February, was moved to accommodate the teams' participation in ESPN's Bracket Busters Saturday.
UH coach Riley Wallace said he isn't too concerned about playing a WAC opponent just six games into the season.
"We'll be ready for that," said Wallace, who will have seven returnees and seven newcomers on the roster entering the season.
The rematch between UH and Utah State on Jan. 30 in Logan, Utah, will be part of the Big Monday package. The WAC picked up some of the Big Monday slots vacated by the Mountain West Conference this season.
"You get Big Monday, national TV, you'll take that any time you can get it," Wallace said.
Wallace had hoped UH would get a Big Monday game at home, but UH could earn another ESPN appearance if the network picks up the 'Bows' Bracket Busters game at the Stan Sheriff Center on Feb. 18.
UH will also play Monday games against Boise State (Jan. 23) at home, and at Fresno State (Feb. 13), although those games won't be part of Big Monday.
The Rainbows will spend much of February on the mainland with a stretch of four straight WAC road games, broken up by the Bracket Busters game at home.
"That's pretty rough right there," said Wallace, who quickly added, "This is Hawaii. We can't be concerned about it. We have to just play and take what's dealt to us."
UH plays Hawaii-Hilo in an exhibition game on Nov. 11 and opens the regular season Nov. 19 against Michigan State.
The start of practice may have a new look as well.
Wallace said meetings will be held next week to discuss the possibility of altering the traditional Midnight Ohana activities in October.
The NCAA is allowing teams to begin practice at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 rather than at midnight Oct. 15.
2005-06 UH basketball scheduleNov. 11, UH-Hilo (exhibition), 7:05 p.m.; Nov. 19, Michigan State, 1:05 p.m.; Nov. 22, at UNLV, TBA; Nov. 26, Saint Louis, 8 p.m.Dec. 6, UNLV, 7:05 p.m.; Dec. 10, at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, TBA; Dec. 17, Utah State*, 1:05 p.m. 42nd Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic--Dec. 20, Colorado State vs. Western Michigan, 5 p.m.; Loyola Marymount vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21 Northwestern State vs. Oregon State, 5 p.m.; Iowa State vs. South Florida, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, consolation games/semifinals; Dec. 23, consolation games/championship. Dec. 27, North Carolina A&T, 7:05 p.m.; Dec. 29, Pennsylvania, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 5, Nevada*, 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 12, at Louisiana Tech*, TBA; Jan. 14, at New Mexico State, 4:05 p.m.; Jan. 21, Fresno State*, 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 23, Boise State*, 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 28, at Nevada*, TBA; Jan. 30, at Utah State*, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 2, Idaho*, 7:05 p.m.; Feb. 4, San Jose State*, 7:05 p.m.; Feb. 11, at Boise State*, 11 a.m.; Feb. 13, at Fresno State*, TBA; Feb. 18, ESPN Bracket Busters Saturday, TBA; Feb. 22, at Idaho*, 4:05 p.m.; Feb. 25, at San Jose State*, TBA. March 2, New Mexico State*, 7:05 p.m.; March 4, Louisiana Tech*, 7:05 p.m.; March 7-11, WAC Tournament, at Reno, Nev.
*Western Athletic Conference game eHome games at Stan Sheriff Center All times Hawaii tim
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