After the first weekend of practices, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team remains somewhat of a mystery.

That's just how the Rainbow Warriors want it to be.

"Are we the same team as last year? Are we going to run the same stuff?" first-year head coach Bob Nash said. "That's what our opponents have to figure out."

But for now, the 'Bows have to figure themselves out.

Nash said "everything is open" as far as a starting lineup, although his seniors will apparently get the first shot.

During the weekend practices, the "first team" consisted of Matt Gibson at point guard, Riley Luettgerodt at shooting guard, Bobby Nash at small forward, P.J. Owsley at power forward and Stephen Verwers at center.

They are all seniors, and all of them started at one time or another last season.

"I think we could put a team out there now and be competitive because of our seniors," Bob Nash said. "But we're not counting anybody out. It's something that could change every day for the whole season. It all depends on who improves, and who shows they're ready to play."

The newcomers who appear to be challenging for starting roles right now include point guard Kareem Nitoto, forwards Adhar Mayen and Bill Amis, and center Paul Campbell.

"We're all pushing each other," Owsley said. "The practices are going to be tough. There's a lot of competition this year."

The 'Bows ran a structured flex/motion offense last season under head coach Riley Wallace, and Nash said some of the concepts will be carried over.

"We're building our own program," he said. "But we'll use some old, and we'll bring in some new. It'll be a good mix."

Bobby Nash, the coach's son, said: "We're bringing some of Coach Wallace's flavor back, but we're adding some of Coach Nash's stuff to it. So it's still kind of the same as last year, but different in a way."

Verwers described this season's offensive schemes as "a little more fun."

"It helps the older guys because it's not an entirely new system," Verwers said. "But there's also a lot more improvisation now."

This season's Hawai'i roster features a unique mix. There are seven seniors — all returnees from last season — and eight first-year players.

During practices Saturday and Sunday, many of the newcomers struggled during the offensive drills.

"That's where it's going to be up to the seniors to help the new guys along," Luettgerodt said. "This stuff is new for all of us, really, but at least the seniors have a feel for it."

In any case, the 'Bows expect to be ready for the Nov. 9 season opener at home against San Diego. The players are even counting down the number of practices they have left until the opening tip-off.

When Owsley said the team would be ready for San Diego after 21 more practices, Bobby Nash quickly corrected the number to 19.

"OK, 19. These next 19 (practices) are going to be some of the most important of the whole year," Owsley said.

NO EXHIBITION GAMES

For the first time in several seasons, the 'Bows will not play an exhibition game this season. In recent years, Hawai'i has been playing Hawai'i-Hilo.

"That's one less film for our opponents to look at," Nash said.

INJURY UPDATE

Freshman forward Ji Xiang and senior forward Jared Dillinger sat out the weekend practices with injuries.

Ji suffered an injury to his right knee during the intrasquad scrimmage of the Twilight 'Ohana on Friday. Dillinger did not even participate in the Twilight 'Ohana because of a back injury.

Both are expected to return to practices this week.

"We expect guys to play with pain, but we're not going to push anybody to play with injury," Nash said. "We're being cautious with those guys right now. But at the same time, it gives the next guy a chance to elevate (on the depth chart)."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.