Aaron Valdes is keeping his high-flying repertoire on the down low.

One of the favorites in today’s Hawaii basketball dunk contest bisecting the 7 p.m. intrasquad Green & White Scrimmage, Valdes is out for some rim-shank redemption at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Valdes was runner-up in last year’s dunk contest in the Ohana Hoopfest activities. He was impressive early but couldn’t finish some difficult attempts in the final round, losing to since-departed guard Garrett Jefferson. That was UH fans’ only real look at the springy swingman, as he redshirted the season.

"I’m definitely trying to win it this year," the 6-foot-5 Valdes said. "I know Garrett beat me last year, but it will be fun to do. I got some new things to do this year. … I’m going to surprise everybody."

Preseason basketball festivities changed a bit this year with the NCAA’s allowance of practices two weeks earlier. In the case of many schools, the Midnight Madness events of past years have given way to a full scrimmage format to hype things up for fans.

That means no more guest celebrities. After player introductions, UH will go straight to two 20-minute halves with referees.

The dunk contest will be at halftime. Besides Valdes, newcomer guards Garrett Nevels and Quincy Smith, both junior college transfers, are expected to participate. Others, like forwards Isaac Fotu and Mike Thomas, are maybes.

Fifteen of the 17 ‘Bows on the roster are expected to be healthy enough to play. Center Caleb Dressler has been out about two weeks with a back injury and point guard Niko Filipovich hasn’t practiced since dislocating his left shoulder a week ago.

Leading the way are returning forwards Christian Standhardinger, an All-Big West Conference first-team selection last year, and Fotu, the 2012-13 Big West Co-Freshman of the Year.

"Of course we are all very excited," Standhardinger said. "Practice is good and fun, but games, and winning games, that’s what it’s all about. So we can’t wait."

The UH backcourt is overhauled. San Jose State transfer Keith Shamburger is the primary point guard and the 6-foot-2 Nevels provides a speedier, sharpshooting option at 2-guard.

UH coach Gib Arnold will divide up the teams. It’s possible the rosters will get remixed at halftime.

Though Arnold has preached a defense-first philosophy this preseason, it might be difficult to tell from the scrimmage; up-and-down play could rule this day.

"Oh yeah, definitely," Valdes said. "I think that’s going to be the whole game. It’s going to be high-scoring."

After the game, the team will stay to sign autographs.

UH’s only preseason exhibition is on Halloween vs. Brigham Young-Hawaii. The regular-season opener is Nov. 8 vs. Tennessee State in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic.