North Dakota basketball faces Hawaii tonight as a significant underdog in a road test that will test their championship mettle. The Fighting Hawks carry a 3-5 record into Honolulu, while the Rainbow Warriors boast an impressive 5-2 mark in the fourth all-time meeting between these programs. This clash at Bankoh Arena will showcase whether North Dakota can overcome a dominant home squad.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Game Time: November 28 at 11 p.m. CT from Honolulu
- Records: North Dakota 3-5, Hawaii 5-2
- Series History: Hawaii leads all-time series 2-1, last meeting in 2017
- Key Storyline: North Dakota seeks redemption on the road after 78-69 victory over Western Illinois
Hawaii’s Home Court Dominance Creates Steep Challenge
Hawaii enters this matchup as a 16.5-point favorite, and for good reason. The Rainbow Warriors have dominated their home court this season, winning five of their first six home games and averaging an impressive 84.3 points per game at Bankoh Arena. The hosts have trailed for just 8 minutes and 24 seconds out of 240 minutes played in their first six home contests.
Leading the charge for Hawaii is senior center Isaac Johnson, a Utah State transfer who leads the Rainbow Warriors in scoring with 16.1 points per game and rebounds with 8.1 per contest. Johnson has been nearly perfect from the free throw line, making 34 consecutive free throws to tie a school record. The Rainbow Warriors rank 13th nationally in free throws made per game at 23.3 and hold an impressive +11.4 rebounding differential on the glass.
North Dakota’s Three-Headed Attack Seeks to Find Rhythm
Garrett Anderson, Eli King, and Greyson Uelmen combined for 55 points in North Dakota’s most recent victory, with the trio shooting 17-for-34 from the field. This trio accounted for 41 of the team’s 49 second-half points, showing explosive potential when they find their shooting stroke. The Fighting Hawks mounted a dramatic 14-0 run from the end of the first half into the second half against Western Illinois to overcome a 13-point deficit.
North Dakota’s defense has been a strength this season, ranking 19th nationally in steals with 11 per game and 14th in turnover margin at +6.5. The team is 2-2 on the road this season, with both victories featuring double-digit comebacks. Greyson Uelmen has logged six consecutive double-digit scoring outings, providing consistency when the Hawks need it most.
Factor
North Dakota
Hawaii
Record
3-5
5-2
Leading Scorer
Garrett Anderson (21 ppg)
Isaac Johnson (16.1 ppg)
Home/Road Form
2-2 Away
5-1 Home
Offensive Strength
Three-Point Shooting
Free Throw Shooting
Road Tests Define Championships, and North Dakota Needs This One
The Fighting Hawks understand that winning on the road separates contenders from pretenders in college basketball. Both of their road victories featured double-digit comebacks, showcasing resilience and determination when facing adversity. Against a Hawaii team that has allowed opponents to lead for barely eight minutes at home this season, North Dakota will need their defense to create turnovers and their three-man combo to maintain offensive consistency.
Zach Kraft, who is shooting 19-for-42 from three-point range this season, ranks fourth in the Summit League in three-pointers made per game at 2.4 per contest. If the Hawks can get him into rhythm against Hawaii’s perimeter defense, it could open driving lanes for Anderson and create scoring opportunities for Uelmen.
“The Hawks have gone with five different starting lineups in eight games this season.”
— Fighting Hawks Official Game Notes, November 27, 2025
Can the Fighting Hawks Prove They Belong in This Tournament?
North Dakota’s path forward depends on proving they can compete with superior teams in hostile environments. The road to redemption runs through Honolulu tonight, where the Rainbow Warriors will be looking to extend their home dominance. The Fighting Hawks possess the talent and the proven ability to mount comebacks, but facing a Hawaii team that has been near-perfect at home presents a formidable challenge for a program seeking to establish itself as a tournament contender.
Sources
- Fighting Hawks Official – Game preview and team statistics
- Hawaii Athletics – Rainbow Warriors home performance analysis
- ESPN – Live game coverage and box score tracking
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.
