Seattle at Hawaii

Hawaii's only tune-up was an 89-60 exhibition win over Hawaii Pacific, and Eran Ganot said you wouldn't have known from watching that his group was new. Nine of the ten players who got on the floor were first-year Rainbow Warriors. The exception was Tanner Cuff, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury. Hawaii returns just two players from a team that won 24 games, took the Big West and reached the NCAA Tournament, and the Mountain West preseason poll has it sixth in its first year in the league. Seattle won 21 games last season and reached the second round of the NIT. Will Heimbrodt, the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, is back after averaging 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. The Redhawks also have nine newcomers, and the rotation is still being sorted out, with freshmen Jaden Bailes and Amare Larane earning spots. Both rosters are rebuilt, so neither side brings a tested lineup into the opener. I count seven Division I transfers on Hawaii's side, which is more proven college minutes than the freshmen Seattle is breaking in. I'm taking Hawaii on the moneyline tonight.