They were back to full strength Saturday, but we don’t know if the University of Hawaii basketball team will be so next Friday when it opens the season against Montana State.

Guard Isaac Fleming practiced for the first time in about 10 days, which has included a mysterious "personal leave."

But coach Eran Ganot declined to say if the sophomore would suit up for Friday’s game against the Bobcats. Ganot did indicate that the talented sophomore is on the right path, though.

The other Rainbow Warrior who did not play in Thursday’s exhibition, forward Mike Thomas, also practiced Saturday. His meniscus sprain is better.

"We went light today, but he’s out there," Ganot said. "He’s a key cog for us. Intangibles, steady."

Ganot is looking for "the balance between playing hard and playing right" from the ‘Bows as they transition from a freewheeling style to something more structured.

A little more equilibrium between the first and second halves than in the exhibition against Chaminade would also be nice — and more like after the break than before.

The Rainbow Warriors prevailed in OT, but trailed big in the first half, as the Silverswords refused to accept the little brother role. And why would or should they? They know their program’s history of Goliath-slaying, and in just a couple of weeks they will take on Kansas and maybe UCLA and Indiana in the Maui Invitational.

The ‘Swords controlled the early tempo, running and gunning and building a 40-18 lead.

Ganot is trying to instill what he calls a "next play mentality." He wants his team to forget about what just happened and focus on what’s next. Doesn’t matter if it was a made shot or a missed shot, a good call or a bad call.

"It takes time to get that out," he said. "That’s how you turn a 10-point deficit into a 20-point deficit."

Some of the Rainbow Warriors still jaw at the refs a little too much, but on Thursday it didn’t get to the point of a technical foul (which UH led the Big West in last season).

"That’s a point of emphasis but not something that changes overnight," the coach said.

Ganot went with a lineup he said UH hadn’t even practiced with, matching up small and quick with Chaminade. Aaron Valdes, who is 6-foot-5 but plays taller with his leaping ability, played the five position (center for us old guys).

They looked mostly disciplined in their new 4-out, 1-in motion offense, and much of the second-half comeback was fueled by slashes to the basket leading to open 3-pointers.

Hawaii’s best outside shooter is Zane Johnson. Problem is the former UH two-guard is now on the coaching staff.

The second best is probably Stefan Jankovic. Problem is he’s 6-11 and is being asked to play a lot more in the low post this season. He took just one 3-pointer Thursday, missing it.

But walk-on second-year freshman guard Brocke Stepteau stepped up after halftime Thursday, knocking down four treys off the bench.

This offense creates open outside shots. The question will be how consistently the Rainbows can make them.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.