The return of a "tip-off" tournament, a road game at Illinois, and a possible late-night home game on ESPN are among the highlights in the 2008-09 schedule for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Bob Nash, who is entering his second season as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors, announced the schedule yesterday.

"On the surface, you might not see the big names, but a lot of them are good programs," Nash said. "It's not a cupcake schedule by any means."

The 'Bows will play 29 regular-season games, including 20 at home. Nash said the rising cost of travel was a factor in the scheduling process.

"Airfares are up, gas is up for your rental cars, hotels are up ... we looked at all those things," he said. "We decided to try and stay at home as much as possible."

The regular season will open Nov. 14 at home against San Francisco in the Tip-Off Classic. Texas State and Cal State Fullerton are also in the Tip-Off Classic.

It is the first time since 2002 that Hawai'i will host a season-opening tournament.

The 'Bows will then host Idaho State on Nov. 17 in a game that is being considered for broadcast on one of the ESPN networks.

Details are still being worked out, but UH athletic director Jim Donovan said the game could start at 11 p.m. as part of an ESPN plan to feature 24 consecutive hours of basketball on that day.

"Eleven p.m. is obviously not a great start time locally, but we get national TV, which we haven't had, and ESPN told us if this concept works well then they will guarantee Hawai'i a time slot every year," Donovan said.

Hawai'i is scheduled to play a nationally televised road game at Fresno State on ESPN2 on Feb. 19.

The 'Bows will also participate again in the ESPN Bracket Buster Saturday on Feb. 21, although selections for those television games are not made until January.

The only non-conference road game will be at Illinois on Dec. 8.

"That's a Big Ten team, and that's a tough place to play," Nash said. "It'll be a good test to get us ready for WAC."

The Western Athletic Conference schedule will feature 16 games — eight at home and eight on the road.

There are a couple of snags for Hawai'i in the WAC schedule, like playing at Nevada on Jan. 22, then hosting Utah State on Jan. 24.

"We tried to change things, but couldn't work it out," Nash said. "So it's one of those things you just roll with and see what happens."

The WAC Tournament is scheduled for March 10 to 14 at Reno, Nev.

The 'Bows were originally scheduled to play a road game at Oregon State in December, but that was canceled after the Beavers changed coaches.

Also, Clemson made an oral commitment to play in the Rainbow Classic, but recently pulled out in favor of another tournament in South Carolina.

The revised field for the 45th annual Rainbow Classic: Hawai'i, Buffalo, Colorado, Colorado State, Coppin State, George Washington, Pepperdine and Vermont. Buffalo, however, is still considered a tentative entry.

For ticket information, visit www.hawaiiathletics.com.