Hawaii Opens Season vs. Seattle Monday
The Rainbow Warriors host Seattle in their 2026-27 season opener at Bankoh Arena after a busy offseason roster rebuild.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Basketball
Hawaii men's basketball hosts Seattle in its season opener on Monday at Bankoh Arena. The Rainbow Warriors filled up to 13 roster spots through the transfer portal and announced 10 new players during the offseason.
Why it matters
The opener marks the first look at a reshaped Hawaii roster following a heavy offseason rebuild. Early results will show how quickly the newcomers can integrate ahead of the season.
Jaden Matingou scored 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting in Hawaii's 89-60 exhibition win over Hawaii Pacific. Seattle returns Junseok Yeo, who averaged a team-best 12.0 points per game last season.
The players
Jaden Matingou
Hawaii guard who scored 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the exhibition win over Hawaii Pacific.
Junseok Yeo
Seattle guard returning after averaging a team-best 12.0 points per game last season.
The details
Hawaii added players through the transfer portal early in the offseason and conducted NCAA-approved summer workouts plus 10 additional full practices ahead of a tour to Australia. The team also held closed scrimmages against two Australian pro teams, while Tanner Cuff returns from an ACL injury that sidelined him last season.
Timeline
Early offseason: Hawaii signs transfer portal players
October: Hawaii dominates a mainland scrimmage and beats Hawaii Pacific 89-60
Monday (November 2, 2026): Hawaii hosts Seattle at Bankoh Arena
Season Trajectory
Hawaii's rebuild reflects the transfer-portal pattern now reshaping men's college basketball, where teams assemble rosters largely through incoming players rather than development alone. The season opener will show whether this approach translates into early competitive strength against Seattle.
Fans and fantasy managers can track Hawaii's newcomers early, since the opener offers the first game-day minutes for the rebuilt rotation. Seattle's return of Junseok Yeo gives Seattle's backcourt scoring continuity heading into the game.
The takeaway
Hawaii's offseason rebuild turns Monday's opener into an early test of how quickly new players can mesh with returning contributors. Watch the rotation and turnover numbers for signs of how the team will develop through the season.
What happens next
Hawaii hosts Seattle at Bankoh Arena on Monday, November 2, 2026, to open the 2026-27 season.
Further reading
For more on the team's preparation, see Basketball coverage across the Honolulu sports desk.
