After a spectacular victory over the University of Texas the Chaminade men’s basketball team will be taking on the University of Hawaii, in Molokai.

This is the first time the two teams will be meeting in Molokai at “The Bam” the current home gym of the Molakai High Farmers.

“This game will be special for the people of Molokai,” said assistant coach Darrell Matsui. “Letting them experience a University of Hawaii basketball game will be great for them.”

Hawaii has had recent success versus Chaminade beating them two years ago in the Stan Sheriff Center. Playing Hawaii will always be a positive for Chaminade, considering they are a division I opponent. Chaminade being a division II opponent is definitely the underdog this game. The Silverswords seem to have no problem playing as the underdog due to their recent success in the Maui Invitational. Chaminade managed to make it to the semi finals of the Maui Invitational taking down the University of Texas and competing with Illinois throughout the whole game. Chaminade got its final test losing to the University of North Carolina in its final game.

“Playing against top level teams has us prepared for this game.” De’Andre Haskins said. ” Its exciting for both teams to play off Oahu for a change, the state is bigger then just Oahu.”

With Hawaii coming off a Loss to UNLV this past Saturday be expecting Hawaii to come out full strength. Even though this game is just an exhibition game it will have an intense level of competition. Bragging rights are always on the line and Hawaii is a small place. If Chaminade were to win the word would get out, the people would find out and more importantly it would mean that Chaminade has the ability to play against any team in the nation. A big recognition for a little DivisionII school in Hawaii.

The Swords will have to work as a team to win the game. They will be playing without leading scorer De’Andre Haskins who is out with a minor knee injury. Haskins was the leading scorer for the Silverswords in the Maui Invitational leading the Swords with 32 points and 9 rebounds against Texas. Hawaii will be playing both of its leading scorers Christian Stanhardinger a transfer student from the University of Nebraska averaging 17 points a game as well as their 6’11 center Vander Joaquim who averaging 15 points a game this season.

Chaminade will definitely be undersized, so the Silverswords will rely on Rhys Murphy and Tyree Harrison to clean up the rebounds and compete against Hawaii’s big men.

“Beating Hawaii would be great for our confidence,” said senior guard Waly Coulibaly. “Our conference season is right around the corner.”