Hawaii isn't the only basketball team expecting to add a new weapon to its lineup tonight.

The Eastern Washington Eagles are adding not one, but two new players to an already formidable lineup when the teams play at 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Rainbow Warriors (3-3) hope to supplement their guard rotation with sophomore point man Hiram Thompson, who has been out since the season opener with an injured hamstring.

“;I'm getting back, and game situations are different but mentally I'm there,”; said Thompson, who practiced fully with his teammates the past two days. “;I'm ready to play. I don't know how much I'm going to get in there and play (today), probably take it a little bit slow.”;

EWU (6-2) comes in riding a three-game winning streak and, like Hawaii, has experience with a hostile environment with a loss at Illinois.

The Rainbows' coaches voiced concern about an Eagles attack that starts with diminutive but dangerous point guard Benny Valentine.

“;They come in here with a very talented group,”; Hawaii coach Bob Nash said. “;We're going to have to fight them off at every turn because they're looking for an identity ... and we're trying to build our program.”;

Valentine, at 5-7, has the quickness to take opponents off the dribble or pull up from the perimeter, and his 19 points-per-game average is the biggest reason for his team's success thus far — EWU is off to its best start since the 2002-03 season.

“;We're trying to get him to understand when we need him to score, when we need him to manage our team,”; EWU coach Kirk Earlywine said. “;He's done a pretty good job of that so far this year, and now his role changes a little bit with adding two players to our team.”;

Earlywine was referring to guard Andris DeLeon, the team's leading scorer last year, and junior college transfer Chris Busch. Both were ineligible to play until the fall semester ended; now Earlywine has the enviable problem of fitting a player who once scored 42 points (DeLeon) into his offense.

“;Our chemistry has been pretty good, our role acceptance has been pretty good to this point,”; Earlywine said. “;Now the dynamic of our team changes. Minutes are gonna change, substitution patterns are gonna change. Roles are gonna change. How well we're able to do that is gonna be a big key for us going forward.”;

Hawaii assistant Eran Ganot wants all the 'Bows' guards — including Thompson — to be prepared to run the flex offense against the likes of Valentine and the 5-11 DeLeon.

“;Hiram healthy boosts our backcourt, but anybody in there will have to be ready to go, take care of the ball, get us in our offense,”; Ganot said.

The Rainbows should be able to exploit their size and up front; EWU doesn't have a player taller than 6-9. Forward/center Brandon Moore is the Eagles' top post player with 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.