The University of Hawai'i basketball programs are front and center this week, with both the men's and women's teams making headlines in the Big West conference. As the Rainbow Wahine secure their spot in the Big West Women's Basketball Championship, the Rainbow Warriors gear up for a pivotal home clash against the Cal Poly Mustangs, all while honoring a legendary alumnus in a weekend packed with hoops action and history.
Let's start with the Rainbow Wahine, who delivered a commanding performance on February 19, 2026, defeating Cal Poly 71-54 at the Mott Athletics Center in San Luis Obispo, California. This victory wasn't just another tick in the win column—it clinched Hawai'i's berth in the upcoming Credit Union 1 Big West Women's Basketball Championship, set for March 11-14 in Henderson, Nevada. The win also marked their ninth triumph in the last ten games, and completed a regular-season sweep of the Mustangs, extending their dominance in the series to ten straight wins.
Freshman Bailey Flavell shone brightest for the Rainbow Wahine, tallying 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting, grabbing a team-high seven rebounds, and dishing out four assists without a single turnover. Talk about efficiency! Senior Imani Perez was right there with her, tying her career high with four made three-pointers and finishing with 14 points. Saniyah Neverson muscled her way to another 14 points inside, while Ritorya Tamilo added 13 points on near-perfect shooting—5-for-6 from the floor and a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.
Cal Poly's Charish Thompson did her best to keep the Mustangs in it, pouring in 22 points, but the hosts couldn't withstand Hawai'i's relentless 20-0 run that bridged the first and second quarters. The Mustangs actually opened the game with a 6-0 lead and were up 14-7 when Perez's triple sparked a 12-0 Wahine surge to close out the opening period. Five different Hawai'i players contributed during that burst, flipping the script and giving the 'Bows a 19-14 advantage heading into the second quarter.
The Rainbow Wahine kept their foot on the gas with an 8-0 run to start the second, capped by a Rebecca Moors three-pointer off a slick Flavell assist. The lead ballooned to 17 points midway through the quarter, though Cal Poly clawed back with eight straight points to trim the deficit to 33-24 at halftime. Still, Hawai'i emerged from the break on fire, hitting their first six shots of the third quarter, with Neverson scoring the first five points to set the tone. Perez continued her hot shooting, knocking down her third and fourth threes to match her career best, and Flavell's third triple punctuated a 13-0 fourth-quarter run that put the game well out of reach. By the time the dust settled, the Rainbow Wahine had notched their 15th win of the season and improved to 9-6 in Big West play, sitting just a half-game behind UC Santa Barbara for fifth place and 1.5 games behind Cal State Fullerton for fourth.
Looking ahead, the Wahine wrap up their Central Coast road trip with a showdown against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos on February 21, 2026. Tipoff is set for noon Hawai'i Time (2 p.m. Pacific) at The Thunderdome, where the stakes remain sky-high as the regular season winds down.
On the men's side, anticipation is building for a Friday night matchup that could have major implications in the Big West standings. The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (18-6 overall, 10-4 Big West) are heavy favorites as they look to extend their impressive 10-game home winning streak when they host the Cal Poly Mustangs (11-16, 7-8 Big West) at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The game, set to air on ESPN+ at a time still to be announced, carries an over/under of 161.5 points—a nod to both teams' high-octane offenses.
Hawaii enters the contest with a formidable statistical profile, averaging 79.8 points per game (104th nationally) while allowing just 67.8 (37th nationally), good for a +12.0 scoring margin. The Warriors dominate the boards, collecting 36.1 rebounds per game (33rd in the country), and outpace opponents by 5.9 rebounds on average. Their defense is a real calling card, ranking 10th nationally in points allowed per 100 possessions (83.9). On offense, they’re no slouch either, with 98.7 points per 100 possessions, and they particularly thrive at home, scoring 82.1 points per game at SimpliFi Arena.
Leading the charge is Isaac Johnson, who tops the team in both scoring (13.4 points) and rebounding (5.9 boards) per game. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor orchestrates the attack with 3.9 assists per contest, while Hunter Erickson is the team's most prolific threat from deep, making 1.3 threes per game. Quandre Bullock sets the tone defensively, averaging 1.6 steals, and Johnson also leads in blocks with 1.0 per outing.
Cal Poly, meanwhile, brings an up-tempo style and plenty of offensive firepower, averaging 81.3 points per game (71st nationally) but surrendering 85.3 (359th nationally), resulting in a -4.0 scoring margin. The Mustangs are deadly from beyond the arc, hitting 11.0 threes per game (10th in the nation), and are led by the dynamic Hamad Mousa, who averages 20.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Peter Bandelj provides balance with 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and a team-leading 3.3 assists, while also serving as the squad's top thief with 1.3 steals per contest. Mousa is the primary deep threat, knocking down 2.7 threes per game, and Ali Assran anchors the defense with 0.6 blocks per game.
Betting trends show Hawaii as a solid favorite, with a 6-4 record against the spread when favored by at least 10.5 points this season. Cal Poly, however, has held its own as a double-digit underdog, going 3-1 against the spread in those situations. With both teams combining to average just under the projected point total, the matchup promises plenty of action and intrigue.
But the excitement in Honolulu doesn't stop with the game itself. Former University of Hawaii basketball star Anthony Carter is set to have his jersey retired in a special ceremony during Saturday's contest at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Carter, who held a press conference at the Outrigger Reef Hotel on February 18, 2026, will be honored for his outstanding contributions to Rainbow Warrior basketball—a moment sure to inspire players and fans alike.
As the Rainbow Warriors prepare to face Cal Poly's up-tempo attack, the message from the coaching staff is clear: defense will be the key. According to reports, "the University of Hawaii men's basketball team must bring its best defense against up-tempo Cal Poly." With both teams vying for crucial Big West positioning and the added energy of a jersey retirement celebration, the stage is set for a memorable night at SimpliFi Arena.
With the Rainbow Wahine surging into the postseason and the Rainbow Warriors looking to protect their home court and honor a legend, Hawai'i basketball fans have plenty to cheer about. The action continues as both squads chase their Big West dreams—one game, one milestone, and one unforgettable moment at a time.