Ahmet Gueye has already learned that practicing at the NCAA Division I level is a little different from junior college.

"It's longer and more intense," Gueye said after completing his first "real" practice with the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team yesterday. "In junior college, we used to practice for an hour and a half. It was a lot longer today."

About 12 hours after the fun and games of Twilight 'Ohana, Gueye and the rest of the Rainbow Warriors went through a three-hour workout yesterday.

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said all 12 scholarship players on the roster are in contention for starting roles. At least for now.

"It'll change daily," Wallace said. "There are certain things I really like in some of the guys, but I also see how much each guy has to work. We have some talent and depth this year, so that should keep everybody fighting hard all year."

Five returning players from last season's 16-13 team worked with the first team during yesterday's drills. Deonte Tatum was at point guard, "Little Matt" Gibson was at shooting guard, Julian Sensley was the small forward, "Big Matt" Gipson was at power forward, and Chris Botez was the center.

"You have to go with that group on the first day because they know the offense," Wallace said. "The old guys are going to be ahead of the new guys at the start, but this group is catching on fast."

Wallace said he is especially impressed with the quick progress of junior college transfers Gueye, Matt Lojeski and John Wilder.

"I can see all three of those guys making an impact," Wallace said.

Gueye is a 6-foot-8 power forward from Salt Lake Community College (Utah). He scored 10 points and blocked five shots in Friday's intrasquad scrimmage.

"I'm still struggling with the plays, but I'm starting to get it," Gueye said. "I think once we all learn the plays and work with each other, we're going to have a good team."

Lojeski is a 6-5 shooting guard from Eastern Wyoming College. He was recruited for his shooting skills, but he proved his versatility by winning the slam-dunk contest on Friday.

"I didn't think I was the favorite, so I was just pulling out what ever I could," he said. "Deonte (Tatum) told me I had to keep it in Wisconsin, so I'm glad I did that."

Tatum and Lojeski are both from Wisconsin. Tatum won last year's dunk contest.

Lojeski is expected to compete for playing time at both shooting guard and small forward.

"What ever I can do to help the team, I'll do," he said. "I think I can be a good role player this year because we have our scorers for this year. But if the coaches need me to score, I can do that, too."

Wilder is a 6-2 point guard from Weatherford College (Texas). True freshmen Hiram Thompson and Dominic Waters were also recruited to challenge for the point guard spot.

"The freshmen are going to look like freshmen early in the year," Wallace said. "They still have to grow and mature, and you hope they do that as the season goes. That's why Wilder and Deonte are a little ahead right now."

The 'Bows have five weeks to prepare for their season opener against national power Michigan State on Nov. 19.

"We really have to work on our offense and cut down the turnovers," Wallace said. "I don't think you can play a team like Michigan State and have double-figure turnovers."

Hawai'i will also play an exhibition game against Hawai'i-Hilo on Nov. 11.

HONOLULUADVERTISER.COM

Go online for more photos of Friday night's Twilight 'Ohana, at www.honoluluadvertiser.com /sports

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.