The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is hoping familiarity with Fresno, Calif., will help bring a familiar result today.

The Rainbow Warriors have been in Fresno since Tuesday morning in preparation for today's Western Athletic Conference game against Fresno State.

"We've had two good practices, the guys have spent a lot of time in study hall catching up on their school work, and we've had time to rest, too," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "So I think it was a good thing to get here early."

The 'Bows would like to duplicate a 69-43 rout of the Bulldogs just 14 days ago at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"We'd like for it to go that way again," Nash said. "But we know they're the home team now and we expect to see a different team from what we saw the last time."

Today's game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 starting at 6 p.m. Hawai'i time.

Hawai'i is 12-12 overall and tied for sixth place in the Western Athletic Conference at 4-8. The Bulldogs are 10-16 overall and in ninth place in the nine-team WAC at 2-9.

The 'Bows are trying to separate themselves from eighth-place Louisiana Tech (4-9 WAC) and Fresno State to avoid the play-in game of the WAC Tournament.

"It's an important game for a lot of reasons," Nash said. "Mostly because we need wins."

Fresno State head coach Steve Cleveland said a loss to Hawai'i could cement the Bulldogs as the No. 9 seed for the WAC Tournament.

"We have three (WAC) games at home, and if we are going to have an opportunity to avoid the play-in game, we have to win all three home games," Cleveland said during the coaches teleconference earlier this week.

The Bulldogs — who have four freshmen among their top seven players — have had a roller-coaster season. The lowlight was the 26-point loss to the 'Bows.

"They absolutely took it to us in every way," Cleveland said. "They are very physical ... we're not a team that dealt real well with that kind of physical play, so I'm concerned."

Hawai'i is equally concerned about which Fresno State might show up today. Four days after getting romped by the 'Bows, the Bulldogs upset Boise State, 88-82.

"They have three 3-point shooters who can make life very difficult for teams if you let them get off," Nash said. "When they're hot, they can beat any team in the league."

The Bulldogs lead the WAC with 179 3-pointers (by comparison, Hawai'i has 82).

Freshman wing Paul George leads Fresno State with 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He also leads the team with 51 3-pointers and a .459 percentage from 3-point range. However, his statistics mirror the team's inconsistency.

Against Hawai'i, George had 13 points on 3-of-13 shooting; against Boise State, he went 9 of 11 from the field and scored 29.

"We have to assume they'll be at their best," Nash said. "And so we have to bring our best effort, especially on defense."

Petras Balocka aggravated a groin injury in Hawai'i's last game, but is expected to play.

Interestingly, Hawai'i had extra time in Fresno to prepare this week, but will have to scramble to get home for its next game. The 'Bows are scheduled to return to Honolulu tomorrow afternoon, and will play UC Irvine in a non-conference game Saturday.

UC Irvine is scheduled to arrive in Honolulu tonight.