The early bird catches the ... Western Athletic Conference title?

That was the plan in Manoa as the Hawaii men's basketball team held the first of many 2-hour, 7 a.m. practices yesterday.

Get up, and get used to it, Rainbows; coach Bob Nash departed from last year's afternoon-oriented planning. For 2009-10, nearly all the team's preseason preparation revolves around the a.m. half of the clock.

Muggy evening conditions in UH's Gym II factored into the decision.

“;I think if you look around at all of our sports here at the University of Hawaii, football goes in the morning, volleyball goes in the morning,”; Nash said. “;Women's basketball goes sometimes in the morning. Swimming is early in the morning. So it's just a natural start time. We get up, get it out of the way before it gets too hot in here where we lose too much fluid.

“;Now they can go get some nourishment, regroup, go off to class, and then we got the afternoons where they can get treatments from doctors, get in the weight room, get up extra shots on their own.”;

Senior forward Brandon Adams was among half the team's players to show up before 7 for some extra shooting. He doesn't consider himself a morning person by any stretch, but feels it's a move in the right direction.

“;I think the early start is the best idea we've had,”; Adams said. “;I like getting up early and getting the day started. It just evens out the day. Waiting until 3 o'clock, we're tired. Early in the morning, I think, helps us out a lot.”;

Ailments cause shuffle

The Rainbows proceeded with 5-on-5 flex-motion drills yesterday despite some aches that forced senior first-teamers Roderick Flemings (groin) and Bill Amis (ankle) off the court. Forward Adhar Mayen also was held out the second half of practice.

The first team became an entertaining three-guard attack of Jeremy Lay, Dwain Williams and Hiram Thompson at the 3 (small forward), alongside post players Paul Campbell and Petras Balocka.

The sharpshooting group faced a makeshift second team of Leroy Lutu Jr., Beau Albrechtson, Aleksandar Milovic, Adams and Ji Xiang.

“;I thought I'd never play 3, but it's just good to know what your teammates are running,”; Thompson said. “;What spots they would be at so you'd know where to hit them.”;

Single tickets on sale

Individual game tickets went on sale yesterday for both the UH men's and women's hoops teams.

The Rainbows have 21 home games, including three in the new Diamond Head Classic tournament. Packages for the holiday tourney are $70 and $90. The Rainbow Wahine play 13 at home.

Fans can purchase tickets at the Stan Sheriff Center box office, by calling 944-2697, or online at www.hawaiiathletics.com.