The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team has its slingshot ready.

Now it's a matter of determining how many of the Rainbow Warriors will be on target Saturday when they take aim against one of the giants of college basketball, Michigan State.

"We've always wanted to play teams like this, it's just hard to get them to come here anymore," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "It's a good opportunity for our program and our fans to show that we can play with a big-time program."

Hawai'i will host Michigan State at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

The Spartans return four starters from last season's Final Four team, and they are ranked No. 4 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

Michigan State is the highest-ranked opponent to visit the Stan Sheriff Center since No. 2 Kansas was upset by Hawai'i in the 1997 Rainbow Classic.

If the 'Bows are to pull off another upset, much will depend on their shooting. In particular, Hawai'i has three guards with long-range ability: "Little Matt" Gibson, Matt Lojeski and Bobby Nash.

In a 110-55 exhibition victory over Hawai'i-Hilo on Friday, the trio combined for 35 points on 14-of-22 shooting, including 7 of 12 from 3-point range.

"We have so many options, it's crazy," Lojeski said. "When we're all on like we were in that last game, it's so much fun."

Lojeski, a 6-foot-5 junior, has emerged as the starting shooting guard, although Wallace said the starting spots could change at any time.

"With this team, I don't think it matters too much who starts because we're all going to play an equal amount," Lojeski said.

Gibson, a 6-5 junior, and Nash, a 6-6 junior, came off the bench against UH-Hilo to score 14 and nine points, respectively.

"Coming off the bench, I think it's my job to keep the energy level up," Nash said. "When you come off the bench, you have to be ready at all times, even if you're cold."

Wallace said his reserves will play key roles this season because the 'Bows are running an up-tempo offense.

"If you come in off the bench and we need offense, you better bring it — that's our new philosophy," Wallace said. "As long as you're taking good shots and making 'em, keep taking 'em."

It's a philosophy that fits Gibson's frenetic pace.

"I love it, even though it confuses me," Gibson said. "Last year, I had to keep telling myself to slow down. I got used to that, and now the coaches are telling me to keep pushing it."

Wallace said the three shooting guards should be sharing time all season, regardless of who starts. During one short stretch of the exhibition game, all three were on the court at the same time (Gibson played point guard, Nash was the shooting guard, and Lojeski moved to small forward).

"When we need a lot of offense, we can go to that look," Wallace said.

What's more, several other Hawai'i players are considered 3-point threats, including forwards Julian Sensley and "Big Matt" Gipson, and reserve point guards John Wilder and Dominic Waters.

Wallace said this season's team could challenge the school record of 241 3-pointers set by the 2001-02 team. That squad also had three sharpshooting guards in Predrag Savovic, Carl English and Mike McIntyre. That team went 27-6.

"One of the reasons why that team was so good was because there was no drop-off when we brought in guys from the bench," Wallace said. "Hopefully we can build the same thing with this team because the shooters are definitely there."

Saturday's game is especially meaningful for Lojeski, who was a fan of the Wisconsin Badgers while growing up in Racine, Wis.

"I know all about Big Ten basketball," he said. "Michigan State has always had great athletes and they're all fundamentally sound. This is definitely a big game for me because no Big Ten teams wanted to give me a chance during recruiting. It's a chance for me to prove I belong on the same court."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.