After three weeks of practices, all 12 scholarship players on the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team are still in contention for starting roles.

That number should be narrowed this week, as head coach Riley Wallace said he is ready to begin forming a rotation.

"Everybody's working hard, so it's hard to narrow it down," he said. "But as you get closer to games, you need to start getting the main guys out there so they get more used to working with each other."

Senior captain Julian Sensley said: "We could use a different lineup every game because we have a lot of guys who can play."

The Rainbow Warriors will play an exhibition game against Hawai'i-Hilo on Friday, and then open the regular season against Michigan State on Nov. 19.

POINT GUARD

CANDIDATES

Deonte Tatum 6-3, 170, Sr.

Hiram Thompson 6-2, 175, Fr.

Dominic Waters 6-1, 170, Fr.

John Wilder 6-1, 195, Jr.

RUNDOWN

Newcomers Thompson, Waters and Wilder are all talented, but they are still learning the intricacies of the flex-motion offense.

"We've improved the position by far over last year," Wallace said. "But the new guys still have a long way to go."

EARLY EDGE

Tatum.

The newcomers were brought in to unseat Tatum, but he apparently wants another shot at running the team. His experience and defensive skills would put him in the starting lineup today.

"There's nothing definite yet, so we're all competing hard every day," said Tatum, who averaged 3.4 points per game as a part-time starter last season. "I definitely worked on my shooting, but my overall play is just based on being more relaxed this year."

Wallace added: "Deonte probably got tired of hearing that we don't have a point guard. He's taking that as a challenge and he understands so much more now than what he did last year."

SHOOTING GUARD

CANDIDATES

"Little Matt" Gibson 6-5, 180, Jr.

Matt Lojeski 6-6, 185, Jr.

Bobby Nash 6-6, 185, Jr.

RUNDOWN

All three can shoot from long range, and all three can play multiple positions, so all three should find playing time.

Gibson led the team last season with 13.0 points per game, even though he finished the season as the starting point guard. Wallace said he might still use Gibson at point guard in certain situations to give the 'Bows a "bigger" lineup.

Lojeski and Nash can also play small forward, so all three could conceivably be on the court at the same time, giving the team multiple 3-point threats.

EARLY EDGE

Even.

Since all three players appear to be capable, Wallace will have the luxury — or headache — of finding the hot shooter among the three.

"We know they all can shoot it, so it'll probably come down to a lot of other things," Wallace said. "Defense, passing, things like that."

SMALL FORWARD

CANDIDATE

Julian Sensley 6-9, 235, Sr.

RUNDOWN

Sensley has been the starting small forward the past two seasons. He averaged 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season.

Wallace expects those numbers to increase this season.

"A lot of our stuff will revolve around Julian, and he's capable of carrying us," Wallace said. "He has to sustain his work ethic because he's been looking good in practice, at times."

EARLY EDGE

As long as he's healthy, Sensley will be in the starting lineup.

Lojeski and Nash will provide relief. Tatum can also play small forward, if needed.

POWER FORWARD

CANDIDATES

Ahmet Gueye 6-7, 225, Jr.

"Big Matt" Gipson 6-9, 225, Sr.

RUNDOWN

Gueye brings a powerful low-post presence that the 'Bows have been lacking for several years. He is also a strong defender.

Gipson has an array of offensive moves, and appears to be much-improved from last season, when he averaged 4.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

"I'm the same player, I just have a different mindset," Gipson said. "I'm more confident and I feel like I know the system a little better now."

EARLY EDGE

Gipson.

A combination of Gipson's offense and Gueye's defense would make an all-conference player. Both players should get significant playing time, regardless of who starts.

"Big Matt still has work to do defensively, but I can see that he wants to put last year behind him and show everybody the kind of player he really can be," Wallace said.

CENTER

CANDIDATES

Chris Botez 7-0, 225, Sr.

Milos Zivanovic 6-11, 230, Sr.

RUNDOWN

Botez was the starting center last season, averaging 5.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Zivanovic is in his fifth year with the program, so he knows the system as well as anybody.

EARLY EDGE

Botez.

Both players have been nursing health issues recently, but the rotation should be the same as last season, with Botez getting the bulk of the minutes and Zivanovic available for spot relief.

"Botez gives us that big presence in the middle on defense, and he seems to be looking for his offense a little more," Wallace said.

Gueye, Gipson, or Sensley could slide over to center, if needed.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.