The states of Alaska and Hawaii couldn't be any more different or further apart. One is the northern most state and the other is the furthest south. One is frozen, one is tropical.

But two of their basketball teams have much in common as the 2017-18 women's basketball season tips off this weekend. The University of Alaska and the University of Hawai`i Hilo both finished last season strong, both are looking to the climb the ladder in tough basketball conferences and both have a lot of new faces.

Ironically, they play each other this weekend as the season officially begins. Not once, but twice as the Vulcans make the long trek to Fairbanks for games on Nov. 10 and 11.

UH Hilo head coach David Kaneshiro looks at eight new faces each day, mixing with the five returnees that he has from last winter. Last year, the Vulcans got off to a painfully slow start only to jell later in the season to be very competitive in the tough Pacific West Conference. But four seniors left via graduation, leaving gaping holes in the line-up.

Alaska sings a similar song, having finished sixth in the tough Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), wrapping up the year at 13-14. But the Nanooks lost five starters and are having to reboot.

"It's really a perfect first weekend for us," Kaneshiro confirmed. "We get to experience a long road trip, which we will also have in our own conference. We get two games against a team that is similar to us and trying to see where they are at after weeks of practice."

One advantage that Kaneshiro has over his opponents this weekend is that he at least has a few familiar pieces to work with. That includes junior guard Kim Schmelz, who is a two-year starter, averaged 14.6 points a game last year and shot 44 percent from three-point range. She was an honorable mention All-PacWest pick.

Also back is 6-0 post player and fellow junior Patience Taylor, who spent much of last year injured but was productive when on the floor. Asia Smith, who pulled down 17 rebounds in one of her first games as a Vulcan last year, is back. She listed fifth in the conference with 8.9 boards a contest. Smith is 5-11 and so is returning inside player Jamaika Lorenzo, gives the Vulcans some depth in the paint.

The other returning player is back-up point guard Amber Vaughn, who gets her chance at more playing time this year with the graduation of guards Alexa Jacobs, Vanessa Mancera and Lauren Hong.

"Our returnees have done a great job of helping our newcomers," Kaneshiro said of the eight-person group that includes four transfers and four freshmen. "I like how everyone has been working together. It is a coachable and talented group."

One newcomer that isn't new to life in the PacWest or the rigors of college basketball is BYU-Hawaii transfer Safia Sheikh. With the demise of the Seasider program, Sheikh stayed in Hawai`i, landing in Hilo, literally giving the Vulcans one of the top players in the conference.

The 5-10 guard was a third team All-PacWest selection last year, averaging 15 points and nearly five rebounds a game. Combined with Schmelz, you have one of the better guard tandems in the league.

"Both had very good seasons and are proven players," Kaneshiro confirmed. "We are fortunate to have both of them. They are similar offensively in that they are very good shooters and have a great feel for the game. Both are unselfish. But we also have other people that can make shots, so I don't think that any team can focus on just stopping Kim and Safia."

In charge of running the offense and getting the ball to Schmelz and Sheikh will be a three-person job to begin with. In addition to the senior Vaughn, junior transfer Alyssa Movchan (Cypress College) and freshman Sara Shimizu will compete for the job. "They give us a good balance of skill and quickness," Kaneshiro said. "We will use all three of them."

Adding a defensive presence on the wing is junior Danielle Dacosta (Sierra College). Senior transfer Kailani Jones (Allen CC) and Alliya Gabriel (freshman) will also vie for time. Inside, freshmen Allie Navarette (6-0) and Malia Lee (5-10) add depth.

"With eight newcomers, we have a lot of pieces that still need to come together," Kaneshiro continued. "I have had this situation before, it takes a little time to mold all the pieces," said the coach who is entering into his eighth season as the Vulcan leader.

One thing all the newcomers with the exception of Sheikh will experience for the first time is the Pacific West Conference. The league is super good in women's basketball, featuring the squad that reached the national championship game last year (California Baptist), and the travel grind is like no other, spanning from Hawai`i to both ends of California and Utah.

"You can't know how it is until you experience it," Kaneshiro added. "You are traveling for long stretches of time, playing good teams, having to keep up with your studies and playing while you are tired."

This first trip to Alaska will serve as a dress rehearsal for a rough conference schedule that begins on November 30 at home against the previously mentioned Lancers from Cal Baptist.

"We had lots of experience last year and now we have the opposite," Kaneshiro concluded. "I do like that this group is very coachable and they have shown a willingness to learn. It may take some time, but I am very positive about where this group can end up."