When Bill Amis called home to Oklahoma City, Okla., before the season opener to tell his parents that he was in the starting lineup for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball, there was surprise at the other end of the phone line.

Small wonder since he hadn't been a regular starter anywhere — high school or junior college — since the eighth grade.

So, for good measure, Amis sent them a tape of the television broadcast.

But in Honolulu — as in Oklahoma — there is surprise no longer. There should be no doubting that the 6-foot-9, 220-pounder has found a home in the Rainbow Warriors' low post, not after scoring 16 points in UH's 79-58 victory over Coppin State last night.

With a season-high point total, 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in 19 minutes, seeing is believing. In the process, Amis gave the shorter Eagles a lot to contend with and, as a result, his coaches plenty to think about this week.

With the return of Matt Gibson from a knee injury, something is going to have to change in the starting lineup. Gibson's game-high 18 points and six assists suggest he is ready to reclaim his starting point guard job after the four-game layoff. But who to bump from the starting five to make room for "Little Matt?"

In Gibson's absence, the 'Bows had done some rearranging of positions and the combination of Gibson's unavailability and injuries to P.J. Owsley gave Amis the opening he has been waiting — and waiting — for.

And, with a nose for the basket and baby hook shot not to be denied, he is making the most of it nightly. "We saw the things he was doing in practice (and that) told us he should be in there," head coach Bob Nash said. "He's staying in there."

Indeed, with 10 points at New Mexico and last night's 16, Amis is growing into a role he wasn't sure he'd ever get to try out. "I've always just tried to play hard and bring some energy off the bench but now I get to start," he said. "And, I like that."

And the 'Bows like what he's doing with it. "He gives us a big presence inside, I'm real pleased with his development," Nash said.

Gibson, who hails from the same (Putnam City) Oklahoma high school as Amis, said, "we need guys in there that are finishing inside. It is one thing to get the bigs touches (of the ball) (but) it is another thing for them to step up, make shots, get fouls and make the free throws, too."

After an inauspicious beginning — his first shot was blocked 4 seconds into the game — Amis converted on 5 of 8 field-goal attempts and all 6 free throw tries to help the 'Bows to a lead they never lost.

Amis said didn't know he was going to start the season opener until the shoot-around the afternoon of the game and was surprised to get the call. These days the only surprise would be if he wasn't in there.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.