In search of more games to fill its schedule, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is going north.

All the way to Alaska.

The Rainbow Warriors will play in the Great Alaska Shootout in November, according to Hawai'i coach Riley Wallace.

"We want to play more games, so we looked into the exempted tournaments and Alaska had an opening," Wallace said. "We're trying to get 20 wins, so getting extra games helps."

The 'Bows will play three games in the eight-team tournament, which is held in Anchorage, Alaska.

The entire field is not set, but Wallace said California, Loyola Marymount, Marshall and the Division II host Alaska-Anchorage are among the other teams.

The Great Alaska Shootout started in 1978, and has a television contract with ESPN. The 'Bows will be playing in it for the third time. They finished third in 1989, and eighth in 1993.

"It's a good atmosphere, but different," Wallace said. "It's dark all the time, and there's snow all over the place."

In order to accommodate the Alaska schedule, Wallace said the 'Bows will open the season on the road, at UNLV.

They will return home for one or two games, then travel to Alaska during Thanksgiving week. They will then fly from Anchorage to another road game at Santa Clara before returning to Honolulu.

Wallace said at least two more non-conference games are needed to complete the 2006-07 schedule.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.