With opening day just two days away, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team remains somewhat of a mystery.

Bob Nash is in his first season as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors after 20 seasons as the associate coach under Riley Wallace.

Hawai'i did not play any exhibition games this preseason. There were private scrimmages against NCAA Division II teams Brigham Young-Hawai'i and Hawai'i-Hilo, but the public was not allowed to view either scrimmage.

So the big question remains: What will the 'Bows look like this season?

Here are 10 questions to get started:

Q: What will Hawai'i's offense look like?

A: The 'Bows ran a flex/motion scheme under Wallace. Nash has kept many of the same plays, but is promising a more up-tempo pace.

"It will be an offense that's fast-paced — we'll shoot the ball quicker," Nash said. "There are going to be some similar plays as the past, but they'll have some twists to them to capitalize on our personnel."

Q: What will Hawai'i's defense look like?

A: Wallace was a stout practitioner of man-to-man defense, and his teams rarely broke away from that.

Nash said this season's 'Bows will use a variety of defenses.

"The best way to describe it is in your face," he said. "Even when we go (man-to-man) there's always going to be support from a teammate. It's not going to be the traditional man defense we played in the past.

"We'll also use some zone and show some other things as the season goes along. The main thing is, we're stressing pressure defense."

Q: Who will be the top newcomer to watch?

A: The 'Bows have five new scholarship recruits on the roster this season. None of the newcomers is expected to be in the starting lineup on opening night, but sophomore forwards Bill Amis and Adhar Mayen appear ready to fill key reserve roles.

"I think the two guys ready to play right now are Bill Amis and Adhar Mayen," Nash said. "Kareem Nitoto is close to being ready, and so is Paul Campbell."

Q: In a close game, with time winding down, who will be the go-to guy on the team?

A: "Bobby (Nash) is a proven game-winner type of shooter," Bob Nash said of his son, who is a senior forward. "But I have confidence in every guy out there, and we have shooters at every position. I think that's something that will be determined as a game unfolds. We'll go with whoever has the hot hand."

Q: What are the marquee games to look for on the schedule?

A: Hawai'i will host traditional power Illinois on Nov. 16.

However, the Hawai'i football team will be playing a road game at Nevada on ESPN2 around the same time. Unfortunately, UH fans will have to choose, or make use of their recorders.

Later this month, the 'Bows will visit The Pit for the first time since 1999 to play New Mexico. The Lobos, under new coach Steve Alford, will come here for a return game Dec. 27.

The top visiting team in the Rainbow Classic is Georgia.

Q: How good will the Western Athletic Conference be this season?

A: Nevada, New Mexico State, Fresno State and Utah State are all being mentioned as title contenders.

"New Mexico State is loaded athletically," Nash said. "And I think Utah State is the best team in the conference, top to bottom. I think any of the top three teams in the WAC can play with any team in the country."

Hawai'i was picked to finish sixth in the nine-team WAC by both the media and coaches.

Q: Are there any milestones or records to watch for?

A: Seniors Matt Gibson and Bobby Nash could join the 1,000-point club.

Gibson, who scored 317 points last season, needs 298 to reach 1,000. Nash, who scored 348 last season, needs 389.

Only 12 players in UH men's basketball history have scored 1,000 points as 'Bows.

Gibson and Nash should also move into UH's all-time top 10 for career 3-pointers.

Q: Will there be any changes to the program, such as the team nickname or colors?

A: Nash said the team will still be known as the Rainbow Warriors, and the uniforms will remain green and white.

"It's part of tradition, and I'm for that," he said. "But that's window dressing. All those things will not help you win games."

Q: What is Riley Wallace doing these days, and will he be attending any games?

A: Wallace is working in Las Vegas for Boyd Gaming. However, he still plans to spend several months a year in Hawai'i. He is expected to be in the Sheriff Center on Friday.

"He will always be connected to me because of the number of years we spent together, and I take pride in that," Nash said. "He'll be in the stands that first night, and I look forward to him being there."

Q: Will Bob Nash still wave a towel to encourage the crowd, as he used to do as the associate coach?

A: "The NCAA came out this year and said it frowns upon coaches inciting the fans or taunting the referees, or the other team," Nash said. "So that's something I may have to tone down. But you never know. I never say never."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.