"Maybe it'll keep the fans coming out to see who's going to start," Wallace said.

He said the depth and talent level of this year's team will allow him to frequently change the lineup.

"I've never had as even-keeled a team as this one," Wallace said. "It's too hard right now to say that five guys are better than the rest. It's going to come down to who's playing the best at the time."

In a 75-49 exhibition victory over Hawai'i-Hilo on Sunday, UH's starting lineup was Jake Sottos and Matt Gibson at guards, Julian Sensley and Jeff Blackett at forwards, and Chris Botez at center.

Wallace said if there were another game today, the starting lineup would be different.

"It can never be a bad thing to have a bunch of players who can start," Blackett said. "I think everyone wants to be a starter, but we all have the same mentality that if you're not starting, you're still going to contribute."

Sottos added: "I think it's a good idea. Last year, the starting five kind of knew they'd be starting every game, so our practices got to be the same thing over and over. This year, the practices are better because we're all pushing each other."

The 11 players battling for starting roles range in size from 5-foot-10 Kris Groce to 7-foot Botez.

"We can go big or we can go small; it'll be hard for teams to prepare for us," Sottos said.

The first starting lineup will be revealed next Tuesday when the 'Bows host Mississippi Valley State in the season opener.

Coach comments on first recruit for 2005

The national letter of intent from 6-8 forward Ahmet Tidiane Gueye was approved by the UH compliance office yesterday, allowing the UH coaches to comment on him. Associate coach Jackson Wheeler recruited Gueye out of Salt Lake Community College.

"He fits in with the big guys we've been trying to recruit recently," Wheeler said. "He's big and strong, but he's also got speed and athleticism."

Gueye will be a junior at UH next season.

UH is expected to receive another letter of intent from Matt Lojeski in the next few days. He is a 6-6 shooting guard at Eastern Wyoming College.

Michigan State will play UH in 2005

National power Michigan State has agreed to play Hawai'i in the Stan Sheriff Center in November 2005.

The Spartans, who won the NCAA championship in 2000, will also participate in the 2005 Maui Invitational.

Also, UNLV will play a rare home-and-home series with Hawai'i in 2005. The 'Bows will host the Rebels for one game, and then travel to Las Vegas for another game.

A court ruling in Ohio yesterday upheld the NCAA's "2 in 4" rule, which limits teams to two exempted tournaments every four years.

Wallace said the ruling could prevent "name" teams from coming to future Rainbow Classic tournaments. However, it could also encourage teams like Michigan State to come to Hawai'i for single games.

"They still get an exemption by playing us in a single game, and they can do that every year," Wallace said.

Slam Dunk fund-raiser set for Thursday night

The Slam Dunk fundraiser for the team will be held at Murphy's Bar & Grill on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $100 per person, and includes food and beverages, as well as two tickets to the season-opening game against Mississippi Valley State.

People attending can also participate in an auction. Among the items are a five-night package to Reno, Nev., during the WAC basketball tournament, a Las Vegas vacation package, two tickets to the NCAA men's Final Four in St. Louis, and various autographed sports memorabilia.

For information, call the UH basketball office at 956-6501.