Like any other construction project in the state, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team might take a little time.

And it might not look too pretty in the beginning.

The Rainbow Warriors will begin what amounts to a two-year project on Friday when they host San Francisco in the 2008-09 season opener at the Stan Sheriff Center.

With no seniors on the 15-player roster, the 'Bows should have the same group for this season and next.

"With all the new pieces, this is a year for us to get better each game," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "If we can add a couple more pieces next year, who knows how good this team can be?"

Make no mistake, Nash wants to do better than the seventh place that was predicted for the 'Bows by the Western Athletic Conference coaches, and he said the team's youth will not be an excuse.

"We're never going to make any excuses and we want to win this year," he said. "We're committed to being a fundamentally sound team, and we'll see where that takes us."

It should help the 'Bows to have 20 of 29 regular-season games at home. It could also help that virtually every other team in the WAC is in some form of rebuilding mode.

Here is an unscientific prognostication of the 2008-09 season:

Friday vs. San Francisco: Win. The much-anticipated debut of Roderick Flemings should be a good one. Record: 1-0

Nov. 16 vs. Cal State Fullerton: Loss. The Titans were 24-9 last season, and they have one of the nation's top shooters in Josh Akognon (20.5 points per game and 116 3-pointers last season). Record: 1-1

Nov. 17 vs. Idaho State: Win. Late-night party with the 'Bows for a game that starts at 11 p.m. That's 2 a.m. Idaho time for the Bengals. Record: 2-1

Nov. 24 vs. Iowa State: Loss. The Cyclones are predicted to finish near the bottom of the Big 12, but they still have Big 12 size. Record: 2-2

Dec. 1 vs. Prairie View A&M: Win. Thanks for the cupcake. Record: 3-2

Dec. 8 at Illinois: Loss. The 'Bows made it close against the Illini last season here. It'll be quite different there. Record: 3-3

Dec. 13 vs. Eastern Washington: Win. The Eagles are picked to finish seventh in the not-so-tough Big Sky Conference. Record: 4-3

Dec. 15 vs. Chicago State: Win. The Cougars have one of the most exciting players in the country in David Holston (23.1 points and 5.1 assists per game). But he's only 5 feet 7 and doesn't have much help around him. Record: 5-3

Dec. 23 vs. UC Riverside: Win. The 'Bows need to avenge last season's embarrassing loss to the Highlanders. Record: 6-3.

Dec. 27 vs. Colorado State (Rainbow Classic): Win. There's a reason why the 'Bows chose to play the Rams on the opening night of the tournament. Record: 7-3

Dec. 29 vs. Vermont (Rainbow Classic projected opponent): Loss. The Catamounts are the only team in the field that had a winning record last season, and the top two players are back. Record: 7-4

Dec. 30 vs. Coppin State (Rainbow Classic projected opponent): Win. The Eagles play a ridiculous schedule, with road games at Kansas, Purdue, Wisconsin, Syracuse and Oklahoma. They'll be drained in Hawai'i. Record: 8-4

Jan. 3 vs. Boise State: Win. The Broncos lost their top four players from last season's WAC championship team. Record: 9-4, 1-0 WAC

Jan. 5 vs. Louisiana Tech: Loss. The Bulldogs always give the 'Bows problems. Record: 9-5, 1-1 WAC

Jan. 8 at Idaho: Win. The one road stop the 'Bows have found some success in lately is Moscow, Idaho. Record: 10-5, 2-1 WAC

Jan. 10 at Boise State: Loss. Just like in football, the Broncos are tough at home. Record: 10-6, 2-2 WAC

Jan. 17 vs. San Jose State: Win. The 'Bows have won 11 straight against the Spartans. Record: 11-6, 3-2 WAC

Jan. 22 at Nevada: Loss. The house always wins. The Wolf Pack is 11-0 against Hawai'i in games played in Reno. Record: 11-7, 3-3 WAC

Jan. 24 vs. Utah State: Loss. Tough scheduling. The 'Bows will have less than 48 hours to get from Reno to Honolulu to prepare for the always-tough Aggies. Record: 11-8, 3-4 WAC

Jan. 29 at Louisiana Tech: Loss. The Bulldogs should be the most improved team in the WAC this season. Record: 11-9, 3-5 WAC

Jan. 31 at New Mexico State: Loss. The 'Bows have never won in Las Cruces, N.M. (0-3). Record: 11-10, 3-6 WAC

Feb. 5 vs. Fresno State: Win. Just like the 'Bows, the Bulldogs are young. Record: 12-10, 4-6 WAC

Feb. 7 vs. Idaho: Win. One of the worst games for Hawai'i last season was a home loss to the Vandals. It can't happen again. Record: 13-10, 5-6 WAC

Feb. 14 vs. Nevada: Loss. The Wolf Pack could emerge as a Top 25 team before the season ends. Record: 13-11, 5-7 WAC

Feb. 19 at Fresno State: Win. The 'Bows can follow the football team and sneak an upset win over the Bulldogs in Fresno, Calif. Record: 14-11, 6-7 WAC

Feb. 21 vs. opponent to be determined in ESPN BracketBusters: Win. Hawai'i will probably draw a weak opponent that will complain about the travel. Record: 15-11, 6-7 WAC

Feb. 26 at Utah State: Loss. The Aggies have the best home crowd in the WAC. Record: 15-12, 6-8 WAC

Feb. 28 at San Jose State: Loss. With five starters returning, the Spartans will pay back a lot of teams this season. Record: 15-13, 6-9 WAC

March 7 vs. New Mexico State: Win. The 'Bows will not have any seniors for senior night. That means no distractions. Final regular-season record: 16-13, 7-9 WAC