They proved it with their backs to the wall in 2014. Now the 12-4 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have to assert themselves all over again in the New Year.

UH handled preseason adversity and nonconference play with aplomb, but the Big West Conference awaits with a brand new slate. UH opens at home against Cal Poly on Wednesday.

Prior to the firings of head coach Gib Arnold and assistant Brandyn Akana and the subsequent departure of All-Big West forward Isaac Fotu to the pros, UH was picked to finish fifth in the Big West preseason poll.

Coach Benjy Taylor has reason to believe UH can exceed expectations again.

"It’s not like we’ve blown teams out, it’s not like we’ve shot 60 percent from 3 and 70 percent from 2," Taylor said after Saturday’s team practice. "It’s not like we’ve played great, but still we’re 12-4. So I think there’s still some room for some growth. I’m looking forward to seeing where we’re at."

UH is actually shooting just 43.7 percent from the field, 68.6 percent from the free-throw line and 31.8 percent on 3-pointers. But its aggressive, ball-hawking defense has held opponents to 40.6 percent from the field and just 29.8 percent from deep.

Some of Taylor’s resolutions were improving the team’s shooting, reducing turnovers (14.1 per game) and rebounding better (a margin of plus-0.5).

No matter what happens from here, UH can boast a program record of sorts.

Since UH joined its first conference, the WAC, in the 1979-80 season, it never won 12 games before the start of conference play. UH hit 11 in the 20013-14, 1999-00, 1997-98 and 1989-90 seasons.

"(Taylor) said that we made history, 12-4, no team in Hawaii history’s done that going into the New Year," swingman Negus Webster-Chan said. "We’re 0-0 (after) the New Year, so (we want to) just get refreshed and focused."

Saturday’s practice came off a two-day break following back-to-back defeats of Southern and Prairie View A&M last week.

While senior guard Garrett Nevels watched from the sidelines (surgically repaired thumb) with his right hand in a cast, Webster-Chan was back in action. He tweaked his previously sprained right ankle against Prairie View and did not return against the Panthers, but he appeared no worse for the wear Saturday.

"I just need to keep getting more treatment, because I don’t want to be sitting out on the sidelines just resting and not getting into the flow of our offense and all that stuff, losing my stamina," Webster-Chan said.

Nevels’ status is doubtful for the Cal Poly game, but he could be available shortly thereafter.

"The closer we get to conference, the more and more anxious he’ll get to play," Taylor said. "He told me if he has to cut the cast off himself he’s going to play Wednesday, but we have to be smart about it."