Improvise, adapt and overcome.

It is a military mantra that the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will have to adopt as it fights its way through adversity this season.

And the real games haven't even started yet.

The Rainbow Warriors were picked to finish ninth (last) in the Western Athletic Conference preseason polls.

The good news about that?

"Hey, all we can do is move up and prove people wrong," senior center Paul Campbell said.

Injuries have also been contagious in the preseason. Eleven of the 14 players on the active roster have missed practice time already.

The good news about that?

Only one injury appears to be serious, although it is to a key player. Senior forward Bill Amis — a two-year starter and the team's top rebounder — is expected to miss at least the first month of the season with a foot injury.

Through it all, third-year head coach Bob Nash is standing tall. He has publicly stated that this team will win at least 18 games — which will trigger an extension clause in his contract.

"It's going to be a challenge, but I want to set a benchmark for our guys to reach," Nash said. "You always have to have a goal, and if that's ours, then we're going to work our butts off to try and get there."

The journey starts Friday, when the 'Bows open the regular season against Southern Utah on the opening night of the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.

It will be the first of a school-record 21 home games in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I think it's a favorable schedule, but it's not an easy schedule," Nash said. "We're at home for the first few games, and hopefully that gives us time to get some chemistry going."

The roster features 10 returnees from last season's 13-17 team. The team is led by six seniors — all of them starters at one time or another last season.

Three recruits were brought in to fill immediate needs.

"I like the makeup of this team," Nash said. "We have experience, and that's going to be key for us. But we also have some talented new guys who we think will help us fill some gaps we had last year. It's a matter of putting it all together and perfecting it now."

POINT GUARD

Candidates

Rykin Enos 5-11 200 So.

Jeremy Lay 6-0 185 Jr.

Hiram Thompson 6-2 175 Jr.

Rundown

Thompson started 12 games last season, and averaged 3.9 points and 2.4 assists per game. However, he was never completely at full speed, as injuries to both hamstrings slowed him throughout the season.

An offseason of strength and conditioning has transformed Thompson into a confident playmaker.

"It's like night and day for me when I think to last year," he said. "I just feel like I can do so much more now that I'm healthy."

Lay is in his first season with the 'Bows after two record-setting seasons at Northern Oklahoma College-Enid. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists per game last season, and became the program's all-time leader in scoring and assists.

His style is flashy on offense and tenacious on defense.

Enos is in his first season as a walk-on. He is a former all-state player at Kamehameha Schools.

The plan

Thompson and Lay are expected to share the position. In fact, they will often be on the court at the same time.

"Hiram hasn't shot the ball particularly well in the exhibition games, but when he's relaxed and not having to be the driving force on every play, he'll be able to shoot it better," Nash said. "Jeremy gives his all on every play. He just needs to learn the personnel on our team a little better."

Enos will be part of the scout team in practices.

Shooting guards Dwain Williams and Leroy Lutu Jr. can also move to point guard, if needed.

SHOOTING GUARD

Candidates

Beau Albrechtson 6-4 205 So.

Leroy Lutu Jr. 6-3 200 So.

Dwain Williams 6-0 175 Jr.

Rundown

Williams is a touted transfer from Providence who is expected to alleviate the 'Bows' shooting woes of last season. He averaged 11.0 points and 2.2 assists per game as a sophomore at Providence in the 2007-08 season.

He drained 48 3-pointers in 21 games that season, and led the Friars with a .407 percentage from 3-point range. He did not play organized basketball last season while attending a junior college.

"I'm just anxious to get back on the court and show what I can do," he said.

Lutu was a part of the scout team last season, but is expected to play a more prominent role this season.

Albrechtson, a key member of Kaimukí High's state championship team in 2007, is in his third year as a walk-on.

The plan

Williams has been slowed in recent weeks with a thumb injury, but he is undoubtedly the team's best shooter. When healthy, he is expected to take over the lead role at shooting guard.

Lay, Thompson and Williams are actually interchangeable as "combo" guards, giving the 'Bows a three-headed backcourt.

"All three of those guys can play point or slide over to the '2' so we expect them to share the responsibilities," Nash said.

Lutu, who is one of the strongest players on the team, will provide valuable relief.

Albrechtson will be part of the scout team in practices.

Forwards Roderick Flemings and Adhar Mayen are also capable of filling in at shooting guard.

SMALL FORWARD

Candidates

Roderick Flemings 6-7 220 Sr.

Adhar Mayen 6-8 195 Sr.

Rundown

Flemings is the top returning player from last season, when he averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He contemplated early entry into the NBA Draft after last season, but ultimately decided to return to Hawai'i.

"I want to help get us to the (NCAA) tournament," Flemings said.

Several Internet mock drafts are predicting Flemings to be a second-round selection in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Mayen's versatility allowed him to play in all 30 games last season, including 16 starts.

The plan

Simply put, Flemings needs to play up to his NBA potential if the 'Bows are to achieve the coveted 18 wins.

He led all players in the WAC with an average of 36 minutes per game last season, and will likely have to play a similar role this season.

"I don't want it to be where all the pressure is on Rod," Nash said. "He certainly has to shoulder a big load, but we feel like he's got better support now. We think we'll be able to spread the floor and run a little more, and that will open up more one-on-one opportunities for Rod."

Mayen will likely be a super sub, capable of filling in at shooting guard, small forward or power forward.

POWER FORWARD

Candidates

Brandon Adams 6-7 220 Sr.

Bill Amis 6-9 220 Sr.

Ji Xiang 6-10 240 So.

Rundown

Amis has been the starting power forward since his sophomore season. He averaged 10.7 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game as a junior last season.

His 81 career blocked shots ranks seventh on UH's all-time list.

"Bill went to the Pete Newell Big Man Camp over the summer, and it really improved his footwork, and more importantly, his confidence," said UH assistant coach Larry Farmer, who works primarily with the post players. "He can do things near the basket now that he couldn't do last year."

Adams averaged 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in his first season with the 'Bows last season. He is the team's most athletic post player, with a vertical jump of 41 inches.

Ji had minimal playing time as a redshirt freshman last season.

The plan

Amis' status for the season is still in question.

He has a torn plantar fascia in his right foot and will be out for at least the first month of the season. If the injury lingers deeper into the season, Amis has the option to redshirt.

Whether for just the first month or the entire season, Amis' consistency and leadership will be sorely missed.

Adams has also missed significant practice time with an ankle injury, but he should be ready for the season opener. He is expected to play a significant reserve role.

Ji, who is from Zhengzhou, Henan, China, is still adjusting to the schemes of NCAA Division I basketball.

The power forward and center positions are nearly identical in Hawai'i's scheme, so Petras Balocka and Paul Campbell will see action at both spots.

Since Amis got injured, Campbell has been working with the first unit.

Flemings will also see time at power forward when the 'Bows want to use a smaller, quicker lineup.

CENTER

Candidates

Petras Balocka 6-8 250 Sr.

Paul Campbell 6-10 215 Sr.

Douglas Kurtz 7-0 275 Jr.

Rundown

Balocka averaged 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season as a part-time starter. He has a rare combination of brute strength and a soft shooting touch.

Campbell emerged as the starting center at the end of last season, and averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Kurtz was recruited to fill a defensive void in the middle. He averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season at Marshalltown Community College in Iowa.

The plan

Balocka, Campbell and Kurtz will likely share time in the post, especially in Amis' absence.

"What I like is we have options," Farmer said. "We have a bunch of guys we can call on, and they all have a different look."

While Amis is sidelined, Balocka and Campbell will likely be the starting tandem in the low post.

Kurtz missed the first two weeks of practices with a knee injury, so he is still in catch-up mode. Once he becomes familiar with the schemes, his playing time will increase.