University of Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot views preseason polls as save-the-date reminders.

“I’ve always said the exciting thing about the preseason predictions that are going around right now is your season is a step closer,” Ganot said.

In a media poll released on Thursday, the Rainbow Warriors were predicted to finish sixth in the nine-team Big West Conference. UC Irvine, which received 10 of 24 No. 1 votes, was picked to finish first. Cal State Fullerton was picked second.

“The reality whether we’re picked first or middle of the pack really has no bearing how we proceed,” Ganot said. “At the end of the day, banners are hung and seasons are revered based on what you actually do and not what people say you can do.”

Ganot said he is optimistic about the ’Bows, who return eight of their top 10 players from a season ago. The ’Bows also added three 7-foot freshmen — including Mate Colina, who enrolled in January and redshirted in the spring semester — and sharpshooter Eddie Stansberry, who transferred from City College of San Francisco.

But Ganot said the Big West is “trending up” and there are other teams with deep and talented rosters. “It’s probably going to be one of the most experienced leagues we’ve had since ’15-16. … If anything, it bodes well for what we thought in terms of our league making another jump this year.”

Ganot indicated the predicted UH finish could serve as inspiration.

“When you have motivational tools you can use for your team, this could be one of them, obviously,” Ganot said. “I just don’t want it to be the sole source of your motivation, just something to supplement.”

The ’Bows will play host to Hawaii Pacific in an exhibition game on Nov. 2. They open the regular season against Portland on Nov. 9 in the opening round of the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic.

The poll “doesn’t have any bearing moving forward,” Ganot said. “It’s just the excitement that builds around knowing the season is around the corner.”