Three of the 65 Associated Press men’s college basketball pollsters — including the most prominent voter — acknowledge that Hawaii’s 20-3 won-lost ledger might be a better indicator of the team’s quality than its weakness of schedule, and voted for UH on their Top 25 ballots again this week.

“They first caught my eye in the Diamond Head Classic,” John Feinstein said in a phone interview Tuesday after voting UH No. 23 this week. “I’m home on Christmas, and I’m not a watcher of bowl games. I knew they’d beaten Northern Iowa, and they were very impressive (in an overtime loss against No. 3 Oklahoma). I liked (Stefan) Jankovic a lot. I liked (Aaron) Valdes. And, of course, I follow all the teams because I vote in the poll.”

He’s been a voter 20 years. Many of Feinstein’s best-selling books are about college basketball. His latest effort, coming out next month, is about Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith and Jim Valvano.

The longtime Washington Post columnist focuses on the elite level of college hoops. But he also keeps an eye on — and has a heart for — good teams from midmajor conferences and lower.

“My theory on the poll, especially 23, 24, 25, is to try to have someone who isn’t always in there. I try to always save 25 for a team from a one-bid conference,” Feinstein said. “I know it pisses off the guys who just vote based on (RPI and strength of schedule) numbers. I don’t give a damn. I’ve watched them and they’re good.

“I’m not necessarily voting for the 25th best team in the country, but trying to give a little bit of recognition to those who deserve it. I’ve been told that when schools like that, like a Stony Brook, appear in ‘Also Receiving Votes,’ it’s a big deal for them and can help them.

“I have mixed emotions that two other guys voted for Hawaii this week,” added Feinstein, who was the only pollster to have UH in the AP rankings the previous week. “I’m glad others are recognizing they’re a good team, but I also like being the Lone Ranger.”

Hawaii, which hasn’t been ranked in the AP poll since 2002, first got votes this year in the Jan. 11 poll. Feinstein had the Rainbows at No. 23 and Fletcher Mackel of WDSU in New Orleans put them at 25. After the 78-64 home loss to Long Beach State, Hawaii temporarily lost its foothold in the poll. Feinstein put the ‘Bows back in the next week after two road wins, and now Zac Boyer of the Washington Times has joined Mackel in etching in Hawaii at No. 25 this week.

“The way I look at it you play the hand you’re dealt,” said Boyer, also in a phone interview. “I know their strength of schedule is low, and that is an important consideration. The Big West is not the most difficult conference, and they’ve played so many games at home. But they’ve overcome a lot more than most teams have to, with the NCAA investigation.

“They play a pretty good brand of basketball, based on defense. (Roderick) Bobbitt is pretty special,” the first-year voter added. “The recent loss is kind of unfortunate for them. When you’re in the 20-25 range, especially a year like this one, you lose a game and you might lose your spot to a Duke, a Notre Dame. You don’t get the benefit of the doubt like they do.”

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