The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will host Chaminade tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.

For real.

In a game that will count on both teams' records, the NCAA Division I Rainbow Warriors are treating the NCAA-II Silverswords as a "must-win" opponent.

"They're just down the street from us," Hawai'i senior forward Petras Balocka said. "If we lose to them, it would be the most awful thing."

The 'Bows are 3-4 after an impressive 96-78 victory over Lamar on Sunday.

"One of the things I mentioned to our guys is you can't be satisfied with one game," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "You have to go back to work and try to win the next game. That's how we're treating this. We're looking at Chaminade as we would any of our other opponents."

Although a victory over a NCAA-II team can not help Hawai'i's ratings percentage index (RPI), it would still count toward the coveted 18 wins the 'Bows need to achieve this season to trigger an extension clause in Nash's contract.

The 'Bows annually play some of the state's NCAA-II teams in exhibition games, but they opted to count the Chaminade game this season as a late fill-in for the 2009-10 schedule.

"We look at it as a great opportunity," Chaminade head coach Matt Mahar said. "There was no hesitation on our part to play this game. We think it's good for basketball in this state to have two teams like this play each other."

The 'Swords are 1-3, and Hawai'i will be their fourth NCAA-I opponent this season.

Chaminade opened the season with losses to Maryland, Vanderbilt and Colorado in the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Maryland was ranked No. 21 at the time, and Vanderbilt No. 24.

"There's no way they'll be in awe of the University of Hawai'i after playing the likes of Maryland and Vanderbilt," Nash said. "So we're fully expecting to be tested in this game and that's what we want."

The tough schedule has created some unimpressive statistics for the 'Swords. For example, Chaminade is averaging just 55.2 points per game with a .323 field goal percentage (by comparison, Hawai'i is averaging 73.6 points with a .440 percentage).

"We played OK at times in Maui, I thought," Mahar said. "But we're not playing well overall. Part of it is being young, and we're still trying to find our identity."

Chaminade lost all five of its starters from last season, and only four players returned.

The top newcomer is Steven Bennett, an exciting 5-foot-6 point guard from Los Angeles. He is averaging 12.5 points per game, including 22 in the loss to Colorado.

"He's small, but he's quick and brings a ton of energy," Mahar said. "He makes us go."

Led by Bennett, the 'Swords turned in respectable performances — all on ESPN — in the Maui tournament.

"I watched them on TV," Balocka said. "They're a good team. If we come out flat, they can beat us."

There is also that down-the-street rivalry thing.

"We know they'll be out to get us," Hawai'i point guard Hiram Thompson said. "They want to be called the best team in Hawai'i, just like us. It's a big game for them and a big game for us."

Mahar is concerned about the size difference between the two teams. The 'Bows have been starting four players 6-7 and taller, and have several other "bigs" in reserve.

Chaminade's tallest starter is 6-8 Matt Cousins.

"Rebounding is obviously a concern," Mahar said. "But we're going to try and do what ever it takes."

WAC MEN

Associated Press
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