2 guards questionable for opener

Hawaii’s improved backcourt depth for the 2013-14 season could be put to the test immediately.

The Rainbow Warriors could be without guards Brandon Spearman and Quincy Smith for the season-opening Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic, which starts on Friday.

An MRI of Spearman’s right foot confirmed a high ankle sprain, UH coach Gib Arnold said after team practice Monday. The senior captain rolled the ankle on the tipoff of last week’s exhibition against Brigham Young-Hawaii. Smith, a sophomore backup point guard, experienced lower back tightness in that game.

"We still don’t have any kind of a timeline for either of them, but as of right now (Spearman) isn’t cleared at all and Quincy was cleared just to see what he could do and he only went about 10, 15 minutes today," Arnold said. "So I don’t expect either of them tomorrow in practice at least, and maybe for the games this week."

UH will play three teams — Tennessee State, Western Michigan and New Mexico State — in a little over four days.

Spearman did some light shooting on the side while the 13 healthy ‘Bows practiced. He was able to walk without a limp. But Smith, a junior college transfer, is the more likely of the two to return to action in the coming days.

"I’m day-to-day. I don’t really know too much. I’ve been doing rehab," said Smith, who’s played behind Keith Shamburger in most lineups. "A little frustrated, but I’ll be ready Friday. I’m saying I’ll be ready."

UH may be required to go to some new lineup combinations, as Spearman was a starting staple on the wings.

Redshirt freshman Aaron Valdes filled in for Spearman against the Seasiders and finished with eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

"I think it’d be shared between Valdes, and I think Michael Thomas is going to have to play quite a bit as well," Arnold said of the minutes vacuum. "Then you go (Michael) Harper and (Brandon) Jawato gotta step up and play. Especially if it looks Quincy might be out as well. You lose your two main depth guys and you’ve gotta go to that next group."

Guard Jack Hackman remains out with an illness, while center Caleb Dressler is out for the season after having back surgery.