The UC Irvine Anteaters and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors battled for the Big West Championship on Saturday, March 14, 2026, with Hawai’i ultimately securing a 71-64 victory. [1] This win marked a significant milestone for the Rainbow Warriors, earning them a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. [4] The championship game, held in Henderson, Nevada, saw Hawai’i overcome a challenging opponent in UC Irvine, who entered the contest as a slight favorite.
Heading into the game, UC Irvine held a 16-5 record against Big West opponents, showcasing their dominance within the conference. [2] But, Hawai’i proved resilient, finishing with a 15-6 record in Big West play. [2] The Anteaters boasted the league’s top rebounding team, averaging 37.3 boards per game, led by Kyle Evans with 8.5 rebounds. [5] Conversely, the Rainbow Warriors excelled at ball security, achieving a 7-3 record when committing fewer turnovers than their opponents, averaging just 13.0 turnovers per game. [2]
Game Details and Key Stats
The matchup presented a compelling contrast in styles. UC Irvine averaged 5.8 made three-pointers per game, a figure Hawai’i typically conceded 6.0 per game. [2] However, Hawai’i demonstrated superior shooting accuracy, connecting on 46.1% of their field goal attempts, compared to the 38.4% average allowed by UC Irvine. [2] In their previous meeting on January 30, UC Irvine defeated Hawai’i 87-76, with Kyle Evans leading the Anteaters with 19 points and Isaac Johnson pacing the Rainbow Warriors with 17. [2]
Jurian Dixon was a key performer for UC Irvine throughout the season, averaging 16.0 points per game while shooting 43.5% from the field. [2] Andre Henry also contributed significantly, averaging 13.2 points over the last 10 games. [2] For Hawai’i, Isaac Johnson led the scoring with an average of 13.8 points on 50.0% shooting, while Quandre Bullock consistently knocked down 1.4 three-pointers per game over the preceding 10 contests. [2]
Recent Form and Team Performance
Both teams entered the championship game with strong recent form, each boasting a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. [2] UC Irvine averaged 78.7 points, 35.6 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 8.4 steals, and 5.0 blocks during that stretch, while their opponents averaged 71.6 points. [2] Hawai’i, meanwhile, averaged 78.4 points, 35.0 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 6.6 steals, and 3.9 blocks, with opponents scoring an average of 76.5 points. [2] These statistics highlight the competitive balance between the two teams.
The Big West Championship game was a tightly contested affair, with Hawai’i ultimately prevailing. The victory secured Hawai’i’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, marking a significant achievement for the program and its fans. [4] The Anteaters, despite a strong season, will now seem ahead to potential postseason opportunities.
Looking ahead, Hawai’i will await their NCAA tournament seeding and opponent. The Rainbow Warriors’ success in the Big West Championship demonstrates their potential to produce a run in March Madness. The team’s ability to control turnovers and shoot efficiently will be crucial as they face tougher competition. The NCAA tournament bracket reveal will be a key moment for the program and its supporters.
What are your thoughts on Hawai’i’s chances in the NCAA tournament? Share your predictions and comments below!
