A tiger has changed its stripes, a leopard its spots and Riley Wallace, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball coach, his offensive approach.

Well, maybe.

Word out of UH's practices is that the Rainbow Warriors are running this year. And, not just conditioning laps at the end of their workouts, either. But in full-stride transition. Up and down the floor on offense. Something known as a fastbreak other places and, for the longest time at UH, as conduct likely to invite the coach's full-throated wrath.

Funny thing is not only is Wallace apparently OK with it, but he says he has actually encouraged it.

For almost a month now the running game has been a mainstay of the practice sessions, much to the joy — and, at first, — somewhat disbelieving eyes of the players.

"He kind of put it in and we took it with not much regard at first," said guard Matt Gibson. "And, after a while, we did it for the whole time and through the scrimmage and it was like, 'wow!' "

Indeed.

Not since the years (1996-98) of Anthony Carter, Alika Smith, Micah Kroeger, Eric Ambrozich, et al, have the Rainbows really been a consistent running team under Wallace.

Ask Bob Nash, who is entering his 27th year at UH as a coach or player, when the last time UH ran before that and he suggests, only half kiddingly, "maybe the 1970s ... with the Fabulous Five."

Clearly, it has been a while. And not many were forecasting a change anytime soon. So it was with a pinch-us-we-must-be-dreaming quality that some players first greeted the concept. Hopeful, to be sure, but not knowing that Wallace could retreat to his time-honored comfort zone at any time.

But as the Rainbows prepare for their exhibition opener Friday against UH-Hilo at the Stan Sheriff Center, they have been told to keep their running shoes on as long as they keep their heads about them.

"We're getting up and down the floor in transition," said point guard Deonte Tatum. "No more walking the ball up the floor all the time. It is a lot of fun. It is going to be fun for the players and the fans and help us put some points up. Last year was a little boring for me, too."

Lest you think that entering his 19th season as head coach at UH Wallace has taken another garage door to the cranium and become Paul Westhead, he swears the change has been by design and reason. That the combination of enough athletic big men and a handful of decent outside shooters has made it an idea whose time has come. Or, at least to be tried.

"I think it is gonna be an exciting year," said forward Julian Sensley, who is being counted on to supply a lot of the points and excitement. "We've got a team with a lot of athleticism; a lot of high fliers and guys who can shoot."

Of course, Wallace has experimented before. He's added new wrinkles and quickly pulled back when his team struggled.

With an early schedule that includes Michigan State, Nevada-Las Vegas and Saint Louis there will undoubtedly be struggles.

But, for the moment at least, the 'Bows have been given the offensive reins and been told to run with them.

And, that's not something you see every year at UH.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.