HONOLULU -- The University of Hawaii basketball program is banking on Coach Gib Arnold to increase fans attendance at games.

“This team hasn’t really performed in a while. I wouldn’t say Bob Nash didn’t do a good job, I’m just saying we needed a little more effort out of everyone,” said resident Ma’a Siania-Unutoa.

Dave Matlin is the executive director of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Tournament.

“Anytime there’s more excitement, and now there’s more exposure for the program I think that is definitely a positive thing,” Matlin said Saturday.

The Diamond Head Classic is a nationally televised tournament and is in it’s second year.

Matlin is confident that the attention surrounding the new coach will fill arena seats as well as the university's wallet.

“It brings in economic support, also, which helps the University as a whole too,” said Matlin.

“Mr. Arnold, I think he is coming into a program that is going to need a lot of work. He is going to be earning his paycheck. But like any other job, if he doesn’t produce we will be doing this again in three years,” said Royal Kunia resident Sam Kaina.

Fans of UH basketball said Arnold will need to recruit high-caliber players to have a winning season.

“He needs to recruit. ...I know it’s hard. We are stuck in the middle of the ocean, but we have used that excuse too long already,” said Kaina.