It will be a case of the same teams in a different place today when the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team plays at San Diego.

All the Rainbow Warriors want is a different outcome.

Today's non-conference game is a rematch of the season opener in Honolulu. The Toreros beat the 'Bows, 73-72, on Nov. 9.

"I would say we're a different team now," Hawai'i senior center Stephen Verwers said. "We have five games under our belt, and we have 'Little Matt' (Gibson) back. I think we have more to bring this time."

Today's game is scheduled to start at noon (Hawai'i time) at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. It will be broadcast on ESPN 1420 AM.

Hawai'i certainly has the incentive.

The Toreros stole the season opener when Gyno Pomare stole the ball from Verwers as Hawai'i was working for a potential go-ahead shot. Pomare was then fouled and made the game-winning free throw with 2.2 seconds remaining.

"I take every game as a challenge," Verwers said. "But I definitely want to play better in this game than I did the last time."

The 'Bows are 2-3, and already on their second road trip of the season. They lost at New Mexico, 89-60, on Nov. 21.

"We've already played in one of the craziest atmospheres at New Mexico, and got our butts kicked," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "We can only get better, and where ever we go after that shouldn't bother us."

San Diego is averaging around 3,000 fans per home game, but it might not even reach that for today's afternoon game.

"There's no altitude to deal with, it wasn't a long flight, it won't be that big of a crowd," Nash said. "It's still a road game, but there's no excuses for us."

The 'Bows arrived in San Diego on Friday night, and practiced at Grossmont junior college yesterday morning.

Nash passed on a chance to shoot in the Jenny Craig Pavilion last night so that the 'Bows could watch the UH football team play Washington on television.

"We had a good, hard practice (yesterday); we got done what we wanted," Nash said. "We'll get a chance to shoot and see the arena in the morning (today), so we'll be OK."

The biggest difference for Hawai'i between Nov. 9 and today is the presence of Gibson.

The 6-foot-5 senior point guard made his season debut on Tuesday in a 79-58 victory over Coppin State. He finished with 18 points and six assists in 26 minutes off the bench.

He missed the first four games with an injured left knee, but declared it "fine, perfect" before the team departed on Friday.

Nash said Gibson will again play an extended role, whether he is in the starting lineup or not.

San Diego head coach Bill Grier said he is aware that the 'Bows will have a different look today.

"When you get your main guy, your leader, back in there, it can only help you," Grier said. "I know it affected them the last time we played because (Gibson) just got hurt and they had to make some quick adjustments."

The Toreros have been busy since leaving Honolulu with a victory. They played seven games in an 18-day stretch, including a 77-71 loss at Boise State on Wednesday. San Diego is 3-5, and its last home game was on Nov. 19.

The Toreros did not return to San Diego from Boise, Idaho, until Thursday afternoon, and had only Friday and yesterday to prepare for the 'Bows.

"Looking back, that was way too many games this early in the year," Grier said. "I could see our guys were tired against Boise. I just hope they recover in time for this (Hawai'i) game."

In any case, the Toreros are led by two talented players in point guard Brandon Johnson and center Pomare.

Johnson, a 6-foot junior, had 19 points and four assists in the victory at Hawai'i; Pomare, a 6-8, 240-pound junior, had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Verwers said of Pomare: "He's pretty good; he's strong. But the last time, he got a lot of his points off rebounds and second chances. I think I just have to stay on him and keep him off the boards."

Nash said the 'Bows are also a better defensive team than they were on Nov. 9, especially with the addition of Gibson.

"Little Matt can bring on-the-ball pressure that we didn't have the last time," Nash said. "And I think our big guys have all improved their defense in the post."

Hawai'i also has a more-balanced offensive attack. Five players scored in double-figures in the victory over Coppin State.

Four 'Bows are averaging double-figure points: Bobby Nash at 18.6 points per game, Gibson at 18.0, Riley Luettgerodt at 15.6 and Jared Dillinger at 12.0 Bill Amis is not far behind at 9.2 points per game.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.