The exhibition games and intrasquad scrimmages are over for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

On to some real games, which means it's time for the Rainbow Warriors to prove if they are worthy of returning to the postseason after missing it for the first time in five years last season.

The first test is a doozy. The 'Bows will open the 2005-06 season on Saturday against No. 4 Michigan State.

And there will be other significant challenges. The 'Bows have to play No. 22 Nevada twice, and No. 25 Iowa State is a potential opponent in the Rainbow Classic.

Other tough opponents include Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Utah State, UNLV and Pennsylvania.

The Western Athletic Conference added three teams — Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State — which means there are now three more road adventures ahead.

For now, here is an unscientific prognostication for the 2005-06 season. For amusement purposes only.

Saturday vs. Michigan State:

LOSS

The Spartans return four starters from last season's Final Four team. The 'Bows can only hope that the Spartans get caught looking ahead to an awesome Maui Invitational field.

NOV. 22 AT UNLV

LOSS

Scheduling any road game three days after playing a national championship contender is a risky gamble. The odds favor the improved Rebels.

NOV. 26 VS. SAINT LOUIS

WIN

The 'Bows beat the Billikens in St. Louis last year, so they should beat them again here.

DEC. 6 VS. UNLV

WIN

It's a common theme in Hawai'i — lose in Vegas, earn it back later at home.

DEC. 10 AT WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE

LOSS

The 'Bows found out how good the Panthers were during last season's Bracket Buster. The rest of the nation found out later when the Panthers made it to the NCAA Sweet 16.

DEC. 17 VS. UTAH STATE

WIN

A shuffle in the conference schedule gives the 'Bows a chance to get a jump on one of the new teams in the WAC.

DEC. 20 VS. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (RAINBOW CLASSIC)

WIN

Hawai'i never loses the Classic opener.

Dec. 22 vs. W. Michigan (predicted Rainbow Classic semifinal)

WIN

The 'Bows always seem to turn it on in late December.

Dec. 23 vs. Iowa State (predicted Rainbow Classic final)

WIN

The Cyclones are ranked No. 25 this week, but the 'Bows should make it five Classic titles in a row.

DEC. 27 VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T

WIN

Looks like the schedule makers figured the 'Bows needed a break after Christmas.

DEC. 29 VS PENNSYLVANIA

WIN

The Quakers are the class of the Ivy League. They should have been smart enough to avoid this long trip.

JAN. 5 VS. NEVADA

WIN

The Wolf Pack is the clear favorite in the WAC, but it always seems to struggle in Honolulu.

JAN. 12 AT LOUISIANA TECH

LOSS

Ruston, La., is a long way from Honolulu in so many ways. Just ask one of the referees who was apparently quite difficult on the 'Bows last season.

Jan. 14 at New Mexico St.

WIN

The Aggies went 1-14 in the not-so-mighty Sun Belt Conference last season.

JAN. 21 VS. FRESNO STATE

WIN

New head coach Steve Cleveland has a lot of work to do with the troubled Bulldogs' program.

JAN. 23 VS. BOISE STATE

WIN

The Broncos have never defeated Hawai'i in Honolulu.

JAN. 28 AT NEVADA

LOSS

The 'Bows have never beaten the Wolf Pack in Reno, Nev.

JAN. 30 AT UTAH STATE

LOSS

The 'Bows shocked the Aggies in an NIT game at Logan, Utah, two seasons ago. The raucous Utah State fans have been wanting revenge ever since.

FEB. 2 VS. IDAHO

WIN

Nobody seems to know much about the Vandals. That's probably why they are predicted to finish last in the WAC.

FEB. 4 VS. SAN JOSE STATE

WIN

The Spartans have finished last in the WAC each of the last two seasons.

FEB. 11 AT BOISE STATE

LOSS

For some strange reason, the Broncos always seem to give the 'Bows a hard time in Boise, Idaho.

FEB. 13 AT FRESNO STATE

WIN

The Bulldogs are still talented, but they might be deflated because of a postseason ban.

FEB. 18, HOME GAME IN ESPN BRACKET BUSTER

WIN

One potential opponent is Oral Roberts, in what would be a rematch of last season's Rainbow Classic thriller. Any team that comes here will have a tough time.

FEB. 22 AT IDAHO

WIN

The only hard part might be finding Moscow, Idaho.

FEB. 25 AT SAN JOSE STATE

WIN

Riley Wallace's friend, Phil Johnson, is no longer coach of the Spartans, so there should be no more ambushes.

MARCH 2 VS. NEW MEXICO STATE

WIN

The Aggies went 1-11 on the road last season. Just wait until they find out how far Honolulu is from Las Cruces, N.M.

MARCH 4 VS. LOUISIANA TECH

WIN

The 'Bows rarely lose on Senior Night.

Predicted regular-season record: 20-7 overall, 12-4 WAC (second place).

UH MEN'S BASKETBALL

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.