There’s a lot at stake in this rare Wednesday night affair at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Two players, Garrett Nevels and Brandon Jawato, will be honored during senior night ceremonies after Hawaii’s home finale against UC Santa Barbara.

The stakes include a chance at a second straight 20-win season, the possibility of a higher seed in the upcoming Big West tournament and the opportunity to avenge one of the Rainbow Warriors’ most painful losses of the season.

"I just hope it will be a packed house," said Nevels, a co-captain who has made 97 3-pointers in his two-year UH career. "Just a real good atmosphere. Hope everybody gets real loud to bring a close to the season."

Given the uncertainty that’s surrounded the program all season, other Rainbow Warriors — coaches or players — might be making their last Sheriff appearance in the "White-out" game, as well.

A tumultuous season that began with the firing of coach Gib Arnold will not end with this game; UH has its regular-season finale on Saturday at Cal State Fullerton, and beyond that, the Big West tournament in Anaheim, Calif., with an automatic NCAA Tournament berth on the line.

Coach Benjy Taylor still does not have an agreement with UH administration to lead the team beyond this season. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has reported the position will be opened to applicants this week.

Even with fifth-place UH sitting on a 19-11 record (7-7 Big West) it is unlikely the Rainbows will get the go-ahead from a cash-strapped administration to pay to play in the CIT or CBI tournaments and get to host a postseason game in those events. And UH’s RPI (162 as of Tuesday) is not high enough to merit NIT consideration, meaning any postseason play likely must come by UH winning the eight-team Big West tourney.

"It’s actually unfortunate that it could be the final time (at home) this year, but that’s another topic," Taylor said. "We’ll just have to rise to the occasion like we’ve done for the most part."

The game was originally scheduled for Thursday but is being played on Wednesday at the behest of UCSB and the Big West for extra time to travel back for the Gauchos’ Saturday game at home. Taylor looked at the bright side; it allows UH an extra day for the Fullerton game.

Third-place UCSB (16-12, 9-5) is one of a few possible opening-round opponents for UH at the Honda Center, along with Long Beach State, UC Irvine and UC Riverside.

The Gauchos present a stiff test, irrespective of locale. They’ve won six of seven and have the reigning Big West Player of the Year, 6-foot-8, 265-pound center Alan Williams (16.6 ppg, 11.7 rpg), who is rolling again coming off a shoulder injury that caused him to miss seven straight games.

UCSB, minus Williams but led by 21 points from Michael Bryson, stunned UH with a comeback from a double-digit deficit in the last few minutes to seize a 75-74 victory at the Thunderdome on Feb. 7. UH guard Isaac Fleming made a desperation corner shot that momentarily appeared to have tied the game in the final seconds — but his toe was on the 3-point line.

"I would hope (in the rematch) that we’re that close down the stretch, to be honest with you," UCSB coach Bob Williams said. "They’re so good here at home, watching them on film. They’re confident, they seem to shoot it better here. They really are a difficult team to play. I thought we got very fortunate at our place. We hit our last five shots of the game — four 3s and a 2 — and managed to sneak out a game that really the Rainbow Warriors had kind of deserved to win."

Fleming concurred.

"This is a big game, especially for me," Fleming said. "That 3 being called a 2, so I’m looking at it like (they’re) a rival and ready to come in and just give them what they deserve."

The freshman has missed the past three games with a right high ankle sprain, but he looked close to his normal self at Tuesday’s practice and said he felt good.

Taylor said forward Stefan Jankovic will get first crack at guarding the beefy Williams, who has more double-doubles than your average In-N-Out Burger. Stefan Jovanovic and Mike Thomas will also be called upon.

While Nevels has been a prominent player over the past two seasons, Jawato, of El Segundo, Calif., has been ravaged by injuries since he broke out as a redshirt freshman. Most severely, bulging discs in his back have forced his career to an early halt.

His career highlight — his 7-for-7 shooting on 3s against Riverside two years ago — stands in the Big West record books.

"They’ve meant a lot to the program in their own way. We’re going to miss both of them," Taylor said. "Too bad for Jawato that (this) caused him to cut his career short. But he’s going to graduate with a degree, both these guys are going to graduate and will be very, very successful in life and make all the other alums proud. Two great guys."

Team to host ailing teen Fernandez

Prior to the game, UH will hold a presentation for TJ Fernandez, a 14-year-old Pearl City High student with an inoperable brain tumor. The Rainbow Warriors have supported Fernandez in recent days with multiple visits. Fernandez will be in attendance if his health allows it.