There’s no other way to say it. The 2012-13 Hawaii men’s basketball frontcourt is loaded.

Success or failure this season could be a matter of how accurately the Rainbow Warriors’ big guns all fire together.

UH has Vander Joaquim back at center, though he’s been slowed by a preseason knee injury. He’s flanked by a pair of talented 6-8 newcomers, Nebraska transfer Christian Standhardinger and New Zealand native Isaac Fotu, a true freshman.

Seven-foot Davis Rozitis is another capable big body the team can throw out there with confidence.

Assistant coach Scott Fisher considers it a privilege to work with this group.

"It’s interesting that we’re all saying that," Fisher said of high expectations for the unit. "Christian hadn’t played for a while, and Fotu’s never played (college). … But there’s no doubt about it. It’s a real talented front line.

"Our success is going to rely on everybody (on the team), but (the bigs) are going to be a huge part."

Last year’s talented, mercurial starting power forward Joston Thomas left early for the pros, but UH figures not to miss a beat up front with the energetic Standhardinger ready to play after redshirting 2011-12. The German should be a constant threat on the offensive boards as a weakside presence to Joaquim’s back-to-the-basket game.

Fotu and his glorious throwback afro are quickly becoming the stuff of fan legend. He’s expected to make an instant impact with a post game beyond his years. The challenge could be balancing minutes for him at small forward with Standhardinger and Joaquim entrenched.

Rozitis, last season’s backup center, returns stronger and will be in the rotation as another shot blocker.

In a departure from last season, UH expects each of its bigs to shoot the occasional long ball. It will be necessary to space the floor with as many as three from this group on the court at once.

"I think we expect every one of them to shoot the 3-pointer, when it’s available," Fisher said. "Vander didn’t take a 3 all last year … Davis neither. But I think as a coaching staff we’re all happy as long as it’s wide open. We practice them every day."

True freshman Caleb Dressler has a soft touch around the rim and is an underrated shot blocker, but the 6-10 center from Vancouver, Wash., will redshirt.