Home has always been where the wins are in Western Athletic Conference basketball.

But if last night's opening night results mean anything, forget about that. All four visiting teams won, including Idaho in a shocker at Nevada.

So that also means Hawaii fans have another reason to say “;I hate you Boise,”; as one Sheriff Center denizen shouted over and over again toward the end of UH's loss to the visiting Broncos. Football was bad enough, now it looks like Boise State has Hawaii's number in hoops, too.

This was different than most of the Rainbows' earlier games.

Hawaii had built an 8-4 mark coming in on hard work and a soft schedule with products of sweat and discipline, free-throw shooting and rebounding. Plus, of course, defense.

But the Rainbows tried to run with Boise State. All teams love to run, not all are good at it. Boise State is, it's their game.

There was some heart, staying within range and then catching the Broncos in the second half. But the visitors proved to be a team better equipped for the pace—this is what they do, what they've done all season—while the Rainbow Warriors were engaged in two months of trench warfare, grinding out wins with rebounds and free throws.

This was more picturesque, but you can't really call it losing pretty when the Rainbows shot 36 percent from the floor and 5-for-10 from the line.

» Does Utah have a case for national champion?

Well, the Utes did finish unbeaten, more than the winner of the BCS title game between Florida and Oklahoma will be able to claim. Of course, Alabama didn't have as much to play for, but the former unbeaten and No. 1 team was beaten soundly.

Orrin Hatch didn't wait long to brush off his scrap-the-BCS crusade.

And how about Utah's Kepa Gaison, the Kamehameha graduate who came up huge with two sacks against the Tide?

Not bad for a guy who walked on as a kicker. But then, anyone who saw his father play knows versatility runs in the family. Blane Gaison stood out as a safety before Hawaii coach Dick Tomey moved him back to quarterback (which he starred at for Kamehameha) with very good results.

» State officials hope the Pro Bowl returns to Hawaii after a one-year stay in Miami in 2010. Not so fast, says Robert Cluck, mayor of Arlington, Texas.

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, Cluck says he's “;90 percent sure”; after talking to a league source that the 2011 NFL all-star game will be played in the Cowboys' new stadium, a week before the Super Bowl.

The NFL has not announced any host cities beyond 2010, and a news release from the league said Honolulu will remain in the mix.

» Some of Billy Hull's more debatable picks for the Star-Bulletin's first Hawaii Grown all-star football team certainly proved themselves in bowl games—namely Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and USC linebacker Kaluka Maiava (the narrow choice for HG defensive POY took Rose Bowl player of the game honors). Hawaii receiver Aaron Bain certainly validated his selection, too.

» Two reasons for local fans to be excited about the Arizona Cardinals: Aaron Francisco and Travis LaBoy.

» Burn after reading: Florida 35, Oklahoma 31.

Little bit better defense, home game for many Gators, and you know Touchdown Timmy's been stewing since the Heisman voting was announced.