2000-01 record: 17-14; 8-8 in WAC (t5th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: Lost to Syracuse 79-69 in first round of NCAA Tournament RETURNING LEADERS Points: Savovic 17.6 ppg | Rebounds: Savovic 4.7 rpg | Assists: Savovic 3.5 apg | FG %: Martin 62.7% | 3pt %: Burneika 42.3% | FT %: McIntyre 82.9% 00-01 Stats: Hawaii | WAC

		Wednesday, Nov. 7 The Rainbow Warriors have to defend the 3-point shot better; opponents shot 38 percent against them last year. Hawaii also had more turnovers than assists last year -- a pet peeve of mine. They need to learn to value the basketball.

Outlook
The team that shocked everyone but itself in winning the conference tournament and joining WAC mate Fresno State in the NCAAs last season has let out a fairly large sigh.

The reason: Senior guard/forward Predrag Savovic will likely miss only eight games as a result of the NCAA's recent ruling on foreign players who participated in pro league overseas prior to enrolling in a Division I-A school. The Rainbows will appeal the maximum eight-game suspension, but this is far better than the alternative, which could have been losing one of the WAC's finest players for good. If he sits the eight, Savovic would be eligible for the Rainbow Classic Dec. 19-22.

Also, junior forward Luc-Arthur Vebobe and senior forward Mindaugas Burneika could lose some time. Vebbobe, however, only played 11 pro games in France and might miss a few nights, while it is thought Burneika could be available the entire season.

The most important part: Hawaii can now concentrate on what it thinks can be another rewarding year.

"With (Savovic) back, we have a very good chance on improving last year's record (of 17-12)," Hawaii coach Riley Wallace said. "Being able to win the conference tournament (at Tulsa) said a lot about our team. We have come a long way in being able to compete and win important games away from Hawaii."

Savovic is the key. He averaged 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season, and is as difficult a matchup as the conference has.

What we like: Young guns. Two of the league's best underclassmen are sophomore guard/forward Carl English and sophomore forward Phil Martin. Also, sophomore center Haim Shimonovich, who missed 22 game last season due to the rule about foreign players and pro leagues, offers great upside and good size at 6-foot-10, 245 pounds.

What we don't like: Questionable rebounding. Two of the key losses -- center Troy Ostler and Nerijus Puida -- combined to average 11.7 boards last season. The team's leading rebounder who returns is Savovic. Shimonovich didn't play enough to develop solid numbers, but he and the English/Martin combination have to hold their own.

The bottom line: It's hard to say Hawaii can't match last year's March run. The Rainbows are better and know they can win critical games away from home. But considering some others -- notably Fresno State, Texas-El Paso and Tulsa -- odds favor the Rainbows ending with an NIT appearance over the NCAAs.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Predrag Savovic	Sr.	G	6-6/225	PTS: 17.6 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 3.5
Phil Martin	So.	F	6-7/198	PTS: 8.8 | REB: 4.2 | AST: 0.7
Mindaugas Burneika	Sr.	F	6-7/225	PTS: 7.4 | REB: 2.7 | AST: 1.2
Mike McIntyre	Sr.	G	6-3/205	PTS: 7.1 | REB: 1.6 | AST: 2.1

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Troy Ostler	F	6-10/205	PTS: 15.5 | REB: 5.9 | AST: 2.2
Nerijus Puida	G	6-5/195	PTS: 9.3 | REB: 5.8 | AST: 4.4

Hawaii Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Luc Arthur Vebobe	F	6-9	Los Altos Hills, Calif./Foothill JC
Nkerunem Akpan	F	6-8	Birmingham, Ala./Central Park Christian
Mark Campbell	G	6-4	Oregon City, Ore./Clackamas CC
Paul Jesinskis	F	6-8	Skyline (Calif.) CC
Milos Zivanovic	F	6-11	Belgrade, Yugoslavia/XI Belgrade