There can only be one first time.

The eight teams in the inaugural Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic realize the significance of the three-day tournament, which starts tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"This is the first one," University of Hawai'i senior forward Adhar Mayen said. "You win this one, your name is at the top of that list of champions forever."

The Rainbow Warriors will serve as the host team, but ESPN Regional Television will operate the tournament. As such, 10 of the 12 games will be televised on either ESPNU or ESPN2.

"It's unprecedented to get that kind of coverage for our program," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "We hope to take advantage, not just by showcasing our team in a positive light, but our facilities, our athletic department, and our state, really."

There will be many reasons to watch. Among them:

QUALITY TEAMS

Upon first glance at the tournament bracket, it appears to be set up for a championship clash between UNLV and Saint Mary's.

The Runnin' Rebels are 10-1 and ranked No. 23 in the coaches poll. The Gaels are 9-1 and on the verge of being ranked (the new polls come out today).

"I can see why people might look at us as the top seed, but I don't think that's the case," UNLV head coach Lon Kruger said. "You go into a tournament like this — three games in four days — anything can happen."

Saint Mary's won the eight-team Rainbow Classic in 2007, and rode the momentum all the way to the NCAA Tournament later that season.

"This is one of those deals that has been marked on our calendar from the beginning of the year," Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett said. "We know how big winning a tournament like this can be for your team. And now with ESPN involved, it becomes even bigger when you look at recruiting and exposure and all that."

The Gaels were supposed to be in rebuilding mode this season after losing four starters, including star point guard Patty Mills. However, they are ranked seventh in the nation in scoring with 85 points per game and are looking to prove their worth this week.

"No matter who we play, it'll be three tough games," Bennett said. "That's three games we wouldn't normally get to play. So this is an important tournament for us from that standpoint as well."

USC is 5-4, but recently turned heads nationally with a 77-55 rout of No. 9 Tennessee on Saturday.

Western Michigan is 4-4, but owns an upset over Virginia Commonwealth.

Hawai'i is 5-4, and of course, will have the home-court advantage.

"It's a solid field. I don't see any team that's head and shoulders above the rest," Nash said. "It should make for some good basketball."

QUALITY PLAYERS

The Diamond Head Classic should be a showcase for several honors candidates.

Omar Samhan, a 6-foot-11 center for Saint Mary's, is averaging 21.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. He is one of just two players in NCAA Division I averaging more than 20 points and 12 rebounds per game.

UNLV has an exciting scorer in Tre'Von Willis, and a future NBA prospect in 6-6 junior point guard Derrick Jasper.

College of Charleston has one of the best backcourt duos in the nation in Tony White Jr. and Andrew Goudelock. Both players have already scored more than 1,000 points in their careers at Charleston.

USC has talent at all five positions, including two players — Nikola Vucevic and Alex Stepheson — who are averaging double-doubles.

Western Michigan's David Kool has a game to match his name. The 6-3 senior guard has topped 30 points twice this season, and is averaging 21.5 points per game.

Matt Janning, a 6-4 senior guard for Northeastern, is averaging 16.7 points per game and is already ninth in the program's history with 1,445 points in his career.

Hawai'i has its own NBA prospect in Roderick Flemings, and a double-double threat in Petras Balocka.

HAWAI'I TIES

Hawai'i senior forward Brandon Adams and Samhan of Saint Mary's were teammates at San Ramon High in California.

"We've been talking trash already," Adams said. "Hopefully we get to play them."

If the 'Bows do meet the Gaels, a Saint Mary's assistant coach could have some vital information. Former Hawai'i point guard Mark Campbell is now an assistant for the Gaels.

Flemings is from Dallas — where SMU is located. He said he has played pick-up games during the summers with several SMU players.

SMU's football team is also in Honolulu this week for the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. The SMU basketball team is scheduled to attend the football game on Thursday, although it is unsure if the football team will be able to attend the basketball games due to scheduling conflicts.

Former Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace will be in attendance, cheering for two teams. His nephew, Kendall Wallace, is a key contributor for UNLV.

There will even be a Hawai'i tie on some of the national broadcasts. KHON sports director Kanoa Leahey will be the play-by-play announcer for three of the ESPNU games. He will be partnered with ESPN analysts Doug Gottlieb and Jay Williams.