The first practice is still two days away, but the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team already has room to improve.

The Rainbow Warriors were picked to finish seventh and eighth in the Western Athletic Conference in two separate preseason polls released yesterday.

Hawai'i was picked seventh (out of nine teams) by the WAC coaches, and eighth by the WAC media.

"If you look at it strictly on paper, we lost a lot of experience from last year," said Bob Nash, who is entering his second season as head coach of the 'Bows. "So you could say that's a fair assessment of our team. But at the same time, it's all speculation because nobody's seen us practice or play.

"We feel like we can be better than a seventh or eighth, so it lights a fire for us to go out and prove something."

Hawai'i also did not have any players recognized on the Preseason All-WAC teams.

"I had hoped to get guys recognized, but it is what it is," Nash said. "Again, it's a chance for our guys to go out and prove what they're truly capable of."

Roderick Flemings, Hawai'i's prized recruit, was beat out for Preseason Newcomer of the Year by Nevada's Luke Babbitt.

Flemings, a 6-foot-7 wing player, was a first-team junior college All-American last season at Weatherford College (Texas).

Babbitt, a 6-9 forward, was a McDonald's All-American last season at Galena High in Nevada.

"I feel like we got slapped in the face," Flemings said. "I don't care about (Newcomer of the Year), but we got eighth? Maybe it's because we lost a lot of seniors, but still ... I think we can be one or two in the WAC."

Hawai'i lost seven seniors from last season's team that finished 11-19 overall and placed fifth in the WAC at 7-9.

The only returning starter from last season is forward Bill Amis. The 6-9 junior averaged 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season, and led the team with 40 blocked shots.

Other key returnees for Hawai'i include sophomore point guard Kareem Nitoto, and junior forwards Adhar Mayen and Paul Campbell. Also, sophomore point guard Hiram Thompson is back with the team after sitting out the last two seasons to serve a church mission.

Joining Flemings in the new recruiting class are guard Lasha Parghalava, and forwards Brandon Adams, Petras Balocka and Adam Jespersen.

"There's nothing wrong to go under the radar at the beginning," Balocka said. "They are looking at what happened last year, but this is a new year. It's about what you do in the season, not the preseason. We can't worry about any polls."

Nevada was picked first by both the coaches and media, and sophomore guard Armon Johnson was named the WAC Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches.

"You win this league with smart guard play and Nevada has some good seasoned guards," Nash said. "I gave them the nod, but I think it's close."

Utah State was picked second by both the coaches and media, and senior forward Gary Wilkinson was the media's WAC Preseason Player of the Year.

Boise State, which won the WAC Tournament last season, was picked fifth by both the coaches and media.

The Preseason All-WAC first teams were the same for the coaches and media: Johnson from Nevada, Wilkinson from Utah State, Kyle Gibson from Louisiana Tech, Jonathan Gibson from New Mexico State, and C.J. Webster from San Jose State.

Eleven of the top 12 scorers from last season's WAC statistics are gone, including the top six. Also, the five players from last season's All-WAC first team are gone.

In part because of that, Nash said he expects a "wide-open race" this season.

"There's not that one or two teams with overpowering size or talent," Nash said. "So I don't see that separation between the top teams and the rest of the league like you might have seen in years past. Basically, everybody except San Jose State lost key personnel."

The 'Bows are scheduled to start official team practices on Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The players have been going through individual workouts and weight-room training for the past few weeks.

"We're ready to go — it's basketball season," Nash said. "The guys have been working hard and I think, for the most part, will be in shape. It's a matter of putting all together in our system and making these guys grow together as a team."

Unlike in past years, there will be no public festivities affiliated with the opening practice.