Yes, according to the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

The Rainbow Warriors will officially start their 2003-04 season tonight against UC Santa Barbara at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"If we come out and play well, it's the kind of thing that can give you confidence for the rest of the year," said UH senior guard Michael Kuebler. "And if we play bad, it's the kind of thing that can keep you down as well. So a win is very important in the first game."

The proof is in the numbers. Since Riley Wallace became head coach of the 'Bows in 1987, Hawai'i is 11-5 in season openers.

Those 11 opening-night wins have led to 10 winning seasons and an overall record of 205-126 in those seasons. The five opening-night losses have led to three losing seasons and an overall record of 57-90 in those seasons.

"We have no choice but to be ready," Wallace said. "All the games are important."

The 'Bows are coming off an unimpressive 63-56 exhibition victory over NCAA Division II Brigham Young-Hawai'i on Monday.

In the practices since then, Wallace has emphasized defense.

Much like Hawai'i, UCSB runs a disciplined offense, reliant on precise cuts away from the ball, solid screens and crisp passes.

"They run a lot of motion stuff, probably more movement than we do," Wallace said of UCSB's offense. "It could give us problems if we're not alert."

Kuebler added: "Our defense is definitely a concern. That's why I think it was good to play that (exhibition). Just since then, I would say we've improved a whole lot on the defensive side."

The Gauchos will be without their two top players, guards Branduinn Fullove and Nick Jones. Fullove has an ankle injury and Jones is on an eight-game NCAA suspension.

However, Wallace thinks the absence of those two players could make the Gauchos more difficult to defend.

"Their offense will allow somebody else to pick up the scoring," he said. "Two good guys are out, but two good guys come in."

Wallace is still trying to figure out his own lineup.

Eleven of the 12 scholarship players saw action in the exhibition game against BYUH, but Wallace said he may use even fewer players tonight, depending on the situations.

"There are no pre-planned substitutions or anything like that," he said. "I'll go by how the feel of the game goes. We'll see how the match-ups are and adjust."

UCSB head coach Bob Williams said he is concerned about UH's size. The 'Bows will start a frontline of 6-foot-8 Paul Jesinskis at center, 6-8 Phil Martin at power forward, and 6-9 Julian Sensley at small forward. Haim Shimonovich, a 6-10 center, and Jeff Blackett, a 6-8 forward, are also expected to get playing time.

The only other Hawai'i players assured to see action tonight are Kuebler and point guards Jason Carter and Logan Lee.

UCSB will counter with a starting frontline of 6-9 Cameron Goettsche, 6-8 Bryan Whitehead and 6-5 Josh Davis.

"They're only a little bigger than us, but they are more physical," Williams said of UH. "It's going to be a challenge for us inside."

Williams said he is also aware of Hawai'i's winning ways in the Stan Sheriff Center. The 'Bows are 31-2 at home in the last two seasons.

The 'Bows finished 19-12 overall last year, including 15-1 at home.

"It's kind of tradition in Hawai'i for us not to lose at home," Kuebler said. "It's something I think the new guys will pick up on pretty fast."

Tonight's game is also the first of four in six days for the 'Bows. They are scheduled to fly to Maui tomorrow to prepare for the three-day EA Sports Maui Invitational that starts Monday.

"It's only a short flight, but if we're coming off a loss, it's going to be a lot longer," Kuebler said.