Rainbow Classic field revealed

Bit by bit, the Hawaii men’s basketball 2017-18 schedule is being revealed.

This time it’s courtesy of one of the Rainbow Warriors’ upcoming opponents. The latest unveiling is the four-team field for the season-opening round-robin Rainbow Classic on Nov. 10-13, via a schedule release from Troy athletics.

In no particular order (yet), UH will play Troy, North Dakota … and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. I know, you’re stunned to see that name again.

Troy of the Sun Belt and UND of the Big Sky are coming off 15-seed appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

UH played the Troy Trojans last Nov. 25 and lost 65-63, then played UAPB two days later, beating the Golden Lions 64-44. This coming season will be … wait for it … the sixth time in eight years the Lions have made their way here to play UH, including the fourth straight year.

UH hosted North Dakota on Nov. 20, 2012 and beat it 71-66 back when UND was without an official nickname. Now they are known as the Fighting Hawks.

UH’s all-time records against the teams are 5-0 vs. UAPB (including one vacated), 1-1 vs. UND (including one vacated), and 0-1 vs. Troy.

Note: Troy’s release, as of this posting, states North Dakota State is in the Rainbow field. That’s actually supposed to be North Dakota, per what has been confirmed independently.

The other known names and dates on UH’s nonconference schedule are Nevada on Nov. 24, at Utah on Dec. 2 and Miami in the Diamond Head Classic opener Dec. 22.

Also, courtesy of Long Beach State’s full schedule, UH will play at the Walter Pyramid to kick off 2018 Big West play on Jan. 4, and host The Beach on Feb. 22.