The University of Hawaii basketball team is chasing more than just a Big West Conference championship as it returns home this week.

The Rainbow Warriors’ title quest has them in pursuit of attendance numbers not seen in a decade or more at the suddenly electric Stan Sheriff Center.

With two regular-season games — Thursday against UC Riverside and Saturday vs. Cal State Northridge — remaining, UH is averaging 4,417 fans per game through the turnstiles.

That’s the most since 2005-06, when 4,893 turned out for penultimate season of Riley Wallace’s 20-year tenure.

“It is exciting to see the crowds back in there again,” said Wallace, who is a host for Boyd Gaming in Las Vegas and keeps up with the games. “I watch them on TV or on the computer now and its a thrill to see the big crowds and the way the players respond to them.”

The 9,078 for last month’s sellout against Long Beach State was UH’s largest since 2002-03. The ’Bows’ last four home crowds have topped 7,000, something not seen since 2001-02.

“I definitely think this is a breakthrough year as far as the excitement that we have in the arena,” UH athletic director David Matlin said.

The NCAA ranks UH 52nd among 351 Division I members based upon total attendance.

The numbers have been especially strong in conference play, where UH is averaging 7,240 for six Big West dates. “That’s one thing that hasn’t changed,” noted Wallace. “The fans really come out after Christmas.”

The result has been that UH expects to take in $1.12 million in ticket revenue this year, about $100,000 more than budgeted, officials said.

“I think it is something that we can build upon and try to sustain,” Matlin said.

The hike comes amid the NCAA infractions process that has hung over the team since the season began, impacting season-ticket sales. But individual sales have surged.

Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman, who has sat courtside for several games, said, “I am pleased to see such strong support for our men’s basketball team. It’s especially heartening to see an increase in student support at these home games. Coach (Eran) Ganot and his team have been impressive all season, and I’m proud of their accomplishments.”

Wallace said, “It is a thrill for me to see the arena this way again. It has been a while.”

Basketball sellout revenue

UH men’s games at the Stan Sheriff Center