There were no costumes, no spotlights, and no fancy introductions.

Just a lot of sweat.

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team conducted its first practice of the 2008-09 season last night at the Stan Sheriff Center with little fanfare and a lot of conditioning.

"Today was more of an introductory to a lot of things, especially for the new guys," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "Obviously, we're not as crisp and sharp as we'd like to be, but that's to be expected for a first practice."

It was a standard opening practice, featuring various half-court drills and ending with a series of sprints.

"Right now, we have a long way to go," said junior forward Bill Amis, the only returning starter from last season. "But what I can see already is that we have the talent and a lot of unselfish play. I think once we put it all together, we'll be OK."

The Rainbow Warriors do not have any seniors on this season's roster, and that was one of the reasons why Nash did not want to have a traditional "Twilight 'Ohana" festival last night.

It was the first time since 1987 that the UH basketball team did not have a public scrimmage on the opening day of practice.

"We don't have a lot of experience, so I didn't want to have a situation where guys are out there trying to do too much without really knowing our system," said Nash, who is entering his second season as head coach.

What the 'Bows do appear to have is raw talent.

Prized recruit Roderick Flemings worked out at both shooting guard and small forward last night, although he was limited because of an injured right ankle. Still, he was able to get up for a couple of one-handed dunks during the half-court drills, and displayed a nice left-handed jump shot.

"The ankle's still not there, but once the ball goes up, I'm ready," Flemings said. "I liked that we did a lot of teamwork today. We worked on a lot of plays, and that shows we're getting right into the year already."

Another new recruit, 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward Petras Balocka displayed brute strength by knocking several teammates to the court during rebounding drills.

"I see a willingness to work and learn with this team and that's going to go a long way," Nash said.

He added that all five starting spots are open, and all 15 players on the roster have a shot. Last night, the coaches mixed the returnees with the newcomers during five-on-five drills.

"We could put five guys out there from last year who know the plays, but we want them to struggle and learn together right now," Nash said. "The physical part is there, but these guys need to learn to play together."

Last year, there were seven seniors on the roster and newcomers like Amis went through a learning process during the opening weeks of practice.

"It's completely different this year," he said. "Last year, the seniors all knew the offense and they were all stronger. This year, you can see how wide open it is for everybody. Every day is going to count, and you could see it even today, the first day. I like that intensity."

At an intrasquad scrimmage during last year's Twilight 'Ohana, forward Ji Xiang suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He redshirted the season to rehabilitate, so yesterday was his first full practice at Hawai'i.

"I feel tired," the 6-10 freshman from China said. "I'm not 100 percent, but (the knee) is good enough to play. I still need to get stronger, and I will try my best to help the team."

Another player returning to practice this season is Hiram Thompson, a 6-2 point guard from California. He played in 18 games as a freshman reserve with the 'Bows during the 2005-06 season. He missed the last two seasons while serving a church mission.

He has been slowed in recent weeks of training with a pulled hamstring, but was still able to compete in most of the drills last night.

"It was fun just to be back playing basketball," Thompson said. "I like this team. I think we play hard and everybody has a good work ethic."

There are no other players remaining from the 2005-06 team, so Thompson said it was "like being a freshman all over again." Even the head coach is different.

"When I left, Coach Nash was still the assistant," Thompson said. "I was expecting to see at least a couple of familiar faces on the team, but everybody is new to me."

Thompson and fellow sophomore Kareem Nitoto are the leading candidates to challenge for the starting point guard position.

"Everybody has a shot, so you have to play hard each day and practice like it's a game," Thompson said.

'BOWS WILL OPEN WITH TWO EXHIBITION GAMES

The 'Bows will open this season with two exhibition home games against NCAA Division II teams.

The 'Bows will host Hawai'i-Hilo on Nov. 2 at 5:05 p.m., and then Chaminade on Nov. 7 at 7:05 p.m. Neither game will count toward UH's season record.

The first regular-season game is scheduled for Nov. 14 against San Francisco.

For ticket information visit www.hawaiiathletics.com.

2008-09 SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER

2—Hawai'i-Hilo (exhibition), 5:05 p.m. 7—Chaminade (exhibition), 7:05 p.m. 14 and 16—Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic (14—Texas State vs. Cal State Fullerton, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. San Francisco, 7:35 p.m. 16—San Francisco vs. Texas State, 2:30 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Cal State Fullerton, 5:05 p.m.) 17—Idaho State, 11 p.m. 24—Iowa State, 7:05 p.m.

DECEMBER

1—Prarie View A&M, 7:05 p.m. 8—at Illinois. 13—Eastern Washington, 7:05 p.m. 15—Chicago State, 7:05 p.m. 23—UC Riverside, 7:05 p.m. 27-30—Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic (27—Vermont vs. George Washington, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Colorado State, 7:30 p.m. 28—Buffalo vs. Pepperdine, 5 p.m.; Colorado vs. Coppin State, 7:30 p.m. 29—games at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 30—games at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)

JANUARY

3—Boise State, 7:05 p.m. 5—Louisiana Tech, 7:05 p.m. 8—at Idaho. 10—at Boise State. 17—San Jose State, 7:05 p.m. 22—at Nevada. 24—Utah State, 7:05 p.m. 29—at Louisiana Tech. 31—at New Mexico State.

FEBRUARY

5—Fresno State, 7:05 p.m. 7—Idaho, 7:05 p.m. 14—Nevada, 7:05 p.m. 19—at Fresno State. 21—ESPNU BracketBusters (opponent TBA). 26—at Utah State. 28—at San Jose State.

MARCH

7—New Mexico State. 10-14—WAC Tournament at Reno, Nev.