The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will be out to solve one of the great mysteries of the wacky Western Athletic Conference today:

How to beat Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs have defeated the Rainbow Warriors six consecutive times, a streak dating to 2004. Most impressive, La-Tech has won three straight in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"You could say it's a match-up thing because they always have the smaller, athletic guys who can dribble past you," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "But all the games have been close, so it's hard to say. They've been the one team that's been successful against us here in our own place, so it's something we need to figure out because we can't lose any more here."

The 'Bows will host LaTech in a WAC game today at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai'i is 13-10 overall and 4-6 in the WAC.

The Bulldogs are 7-16 and 5-6, including a 70-67 victory over Hawai'i last month at Ruston, La.

"It's just one of those deals that happens in conferences sometimes, where one team has got the better hand over the other, but for no particular reason," LaTech head coach Keith Richard said. "We don't prepare any harder or less for Hawai'i than for any other team.

"All six games could have gone either way. It could have went Hawai'i's way just as easy."

Indeed, LaTech's six straight wins over Hawai'i have come by an average of 2.2 points per game. In last month's game at Ruston, Hawai'i's Dominic Waters missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that could have sent the game to overtime.

"I don't think there's any explanation," Hawai'i senior co-captain Matt Lojeski said. "You can look at it as they're winning all the close ones against us, but we can also say we're right there in every game, so we're due."

The Bulldogs run a deliberate and balanced offense, led by 6-foot-7 forward Chad McKenzie. He leads the team in scoring at 13.2 points per game, and rebounding at 6.9 per game.

Trey McDowell, a 6-3 guard, is the only other LaTech player averaging double-figure points at 12.8 per game.

"They kind of have free reign in their offense," Hawai'i point guard Matt Gibson said. "They all get to set screens and move where they want, and they screen and move well. You never know what's going to come out of their offense, that's what makes them tough."

But Richard said he would like to see the Bulldogs score at a higher pace. They are averaging 63.1 points per game. The 'Bows are averaging 71.7 points per game.

"Somehow or another, we have to find a way to get four or five guys in double-figures," Richard said.

The 'Bows may be catching the Bulldogs at the right time.

LaTech lost a road game at San Jose State, 53-50, on Thursday. Hawai'i, meanwhile, has not played since a road game at Nevada last Saturday.

"We're rested," Wallace said. "But we also have New Mexico State on Monday, so we have to get this one."

The Bulldogs scored just 13 points in the first half of Thursday's loss at San Jose State.

"If we start like that (today), we're dead," Richard said.

What's more, LaTech is 2-13 on the road this season, while Hawai'i is 10-2 at home.

But Hawai'i may also have to unload some baggage. The 'Bows are coming off a controversial 69-68 loss at first-place Nevada.

"It's hard to get over something like that even though we know we have to," Lojeski said. "We've lost so many close ones already this season, but that one hurt the most because of the way it happened."

Hawai'i will have a height advantage tonight. The Bulldogs do not have any players taller than 6-7 on their roster. The 'Bows will start five players 6-5 and taller.

"We have to play good defense," Wallace said. "They use their size well. Any of those five guys can take you off the dribble, so we have to be ready."

Lojeski, a 6-6 senior guard, leads the 'Bows in scoring at 16.2 points per game, and in assists with 4.7 per game. His practice time has been limited this week because of a strained arch in his right foot.

He is expected to start tonight, although his minutes could be limited due to the injury. Junior Riley Luettgerodt and sophomore Dominic Waters would be the first options to replace Lojeski.

Reserve center Todd Follmer has also missed practices this week due to flu-like symptoms, so he might not be available.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.