University of Hawai'i-Manoa men's basketball coach Riley Wallace already received a congratulatory call from Hawai'i-Hilo coach Jeff Law this week.

No, Law wasn't conceding tomorrow's exhibition game between the Rainbow Warriors and his Vulcans.

"I had to congratulate him on his (St. Louis) Cardinals winning the World Series, which I hated doing," Law said.

Wallace , a devoted fan of the Cardinals since he was a child, responded: "Typical Yankees fan. They can't handle it when somebody else wins."

In any case, Wallace and the 'Bows are expected to emerge victorious again tomorrow against the NCAA Division II Vulcans.

"The main reason why we play them every year is because Jeff is an ex-assistant for me and a very good friend," Wallace said. "I know it helps us get ready for the season, and hopefully, it helps his team, too."

Like the 'Bows, the Vulcans have been slow to adjust this season because of an influx of new recruits. Only two starters return from last season's 16-9 Hawai'i-Hilo team, and one of them will not play tomorrow.

Guard Travis Sobers is academically ineligible to play until December. The other returning starter, 6-foot-5 forward Justin Dobson, averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season. However, he has missed most of the preseason practices due to a sprained ankle.

"He'll be OK to go (tomorrow), but he won't be 100 percent," Law said of Dobson. "So we're basically going to be relying on a lot of new guys."

Another key returnee, 6-1 point guard Darryl Harris, has also missed significant practice time due to an ankle injury.

Making it more difficult for the Vulcans, they do not have a player taller than 6-7 on their roster. The 'Bows have five players 6-8 and taller.

"I like our guys, but we're not the biggest team in the world," Law said. "That's going to be an issue (tomorrow), but we can't be too concerned about it. When we play Division II teams, we'll be fine."

According to Law, his top newcomers are 6-7 forward Mike Martin, 6-5 guard Rashad Bilal, 6-foot point guard Vince Alvarado and 6-7 forward Sam Wilhoite.

Martin, a transfer from West Los Angeles College, is the team's most skilled player, according to Law.

"He can do a lot of things — score from inside and out, rebound, block shots," Law said. "We're going to count on him a lot."

Bilal, a transfer from NCAA-I Maryland-Baltimore County, will also be expected to provide scoring.

Wilhoite is a former all-state player at Kalaheo High. He played the past two seasons at Skyline College (Calif.).

"Sam runs the floor really well, but he'll have to defend somebody bigger (tomorrow) and that could make it tough for him," Law said. "Once he settles in at our level, he'll be fine."

The 'Bows beat the Vulcans, 110-55, in last season's exhibition game.

"We hope to cut into that 55-point margin and come out of it without getting anybody hurt," Law said, referring to starting forward Joe Travis' ankle injury in last season's exhibition.

The 'Bows and Vulcans have met in four previous exhibition games since the 2000-01 season. The 'Bows have won all four exhibitions by an average margin of 30.2 points per game.

Wallace said he would also like to give his new recruits playing time tomorrow.

"It's important because we need to see what the new guys can do in a game situation," Wallace said. "I'm going to try and get everybody in, but winning the game is the most important thing."

The new recruits for the 'Bows are 7-foot center Todd Follmer, 6-3 point guard Todd Lowenthal, 6-5 forward Riley Luettgerodt, 6-8 forward P.J. Owsley, and 6-8 forward Alex Veit.

The 'Bows will open their regular season on the road at UNLV on Nov. 10.

"We got Vegas right after this, so we need to see who's ready to play and who's not," Wallace said. "This is a big test for us."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.