Picture a group of seven young men walking around Waikiki, and the shortest of the bunch is 6 feet 5.

"We draw attention just because we're so tall," Riley Luettgerodt said. "But we don't go out looking for attention. We just like to have fun together."

Those seven seniors for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team want to go out on one last fun — and winning — run tonight.

The Rainbow Warriors will host Boise State on "Senior Night." It will be the final home game for Luettgerodt, Jared Dillinger, Matt Gibson, Bobby Nash, P.J. Owsley, Alex Veit and Stephen Verwers. They will be honored after tonight's game.

"This is the biggest class we've ever had," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "And they're all class."

Hawai'i is 11-15 overall and in fifth place in the Western Athletic Conference at 7-6. Boise State is 21-7 overall and in first place in the WAC at 11-3.

"We're not really thinking about the last game, the final moments," Dillinger said. "We want to win the game. That would be the best way to do it."

If the 'Bows are to make a late-season surge, much of it will depend on the senior class. It is a class that has somehow blended different personalities and talents into one.

"I came here not really knowing anybody," Verwers said. "And now these are some of my best friends."

THE FUNNY ONE

Dillinger, a 6-5 guard, emerged from the depths of the stat sheet last season to a starting spot this season.

He played a total of six minutes all of last season, but is averaging 9.7 points per game this season.

Associate coach Jackson Wheeler aptly described Dillinger as "persistent."

"I'm definitely glad I came here," Dillinger said of his transfer to UH from the Air Force Academy three years ago.

Dillinger is described by his teammates as the class clown, always ready with a joke or prank.

"He's always trying to pull stuff on people," Luettgerodt said. "We're on to him, though."

THE COOL ONE

Veit, a 6-8 forward, never got the playing time to match his athletic skills during his two seasons at UH.

"No regrets," he said. "Just the friendships I made here makes it worth it."

Away from basketball, Veit is apparently one of the key players in the senior group.

"Alex is kind of quiet, but the girls seem to like that," Dillinger said. "He's the mysterious, coy type, I guess."

Veit also seems to keep the same demeanor, on and off the court.

"He's like Mr. Cool," Verwers said. "You can't rattle him."

THE NICE ONE

Owsley, a 6-8 forward, has battled a calf injury all season. It has limited his playing time, and he is averaging 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

"He's a man with humility," Dillinger said. "He was a starter last year, and he got hurt and he's not getting as many minutes this year. But he's never complained to anybody. He just goes out there and does what he can to help the team."

Hawai'i assistant coach Eran Ganot described Owsley as "the nicest kid in the world."

"These two years have been great," Owsley said. "It was everything I could have imagined and more."

THE POPULAR ONE

Verwers' senior season ended tragically on Christmas Day when he broke his left leg.

But the 6-11 center still attends nearly every practice. It is that kind of spirit that makes him so popular.

"Not just with us, with everybody," Dillinger said. "When we go out, it's like people are drawn to him. Part of it is because he's so big, but he's also kind of a goofy guy who knows how to make you laugh."

Verwers graduated with a degree in travel industry management in December.

"This has been a blessing for me," he said. "I didn't finish the season like I wanted, but I finished school. That's a big thing."

THE QUIET ONE

Luettgerodt, a 6-5 guard, is perhaps the team's hardest worker. Ganot describes him as "blue-collar."

The proof is in the stats. Luettgerodt is third on the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game, and first in rebounding with 4.8 per game.

"He's the silent assassin," Bobby Nash said. "Doesn't say much, but he gets the job done."

But Luettgerodt apparently can talk a good game when he's in the mood.

"He can be a ladies man," Owsley said.

THE DAPPER ONE

Nash, a 6-7 forward, is considered the team's leader, and not just because he is the coach's son.

"He plays with so much intensity and confidence," Dillinger said. "It's hard not to follow him."

Nash is averaging 14.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and needs 13 points to become the 14th player in UH history to score 1,000 in a career.

But he is also known for being the last player to leave the locker room after most games and practices.

"He takes the time to look good," Owsley said. "He's definitely the best dressed."

THE CRAZY ONE

Gibson, a 6-5 point guard, leads the 'Bows with 16.8 points and 5.2 assists per game and made the 1,000-point club earlier this season.

But he also leads the team in suspensions. "Matt Gibson is one of a kind," Wheeler said.

Regardless of his off-court actions, Gibson has always played with a fearless and relentless style. It is why he has become a fan favorite in Hawai'i.

"I only know one way to play," he said. "And I hope the fans appreciate it, because their energy helps fuel my energy."

His teammates say the energy doesn't stop when Gibson walks off the court.

"He's Mr. Energetic everywhere we go," Luettgerodt said. "He almost reminds me of a little kid the way he can run all over the place and not get tired."

Bob Nash noted that two of the seniors — Bobby Nash and Verwers — already graduated, and the other five could graduate by the end of 2009.

"This will be a hard class to replace," he said. "Not just as players, but as students and as people. I'll take a class like this every year."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.