As perfect preparation for next week's Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will play a must-win game tonight.

The Rainbow Warriors will host New Mexico State in the regular-season finale at the Stan Sheriff Center today at 7:05 p.m.

At stake for Hawai'i is a chance to stay out of the play-in game — which translates to a two-day break and avoiding No. 1 seed Utah State, in the quarterfinals.

"Obviously, this is a big game," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "Can you win a game when you need to win one? That's what this is about. We know the importance of the situation, and I think our guys are ready to seize the moment."

The 'Bows are 13-15 overall and on a three-game losing streak. They are currently in eighth place in the WAC at 5-10.

New Mexico State is 15-14 overall and tied for fourth place at 8-7.

A Hawai'i victory would give the 'Bows the No. 7 seed for the WAC Tournament and a spot in the quarterfinals.

A loss would keep the 'Bows at No. 8 — and in the dreaded play-in game. They would then have to win the play-in game just to advance to the quarterfinals against Utah State two days later.

"Once you get to the WAC Tournament, every game is must-win or your season is over," Nash said. "So playing a pressure game like this we hope will get us ready."

Sophomore guard Kareem Nitoto said: "We're trying to get some momentum going into the tournament. A good win against a good team will give us that, and this is a good team we're up against."

Indeed, the Aggies have one of the most talented rosters in the WAC.

They lead the WAC in scoring with 76.7 points per game. They have the conference's leading scorer in sophomore wing Jahmar Young (18.5 points per game), and the top rebounder in sophomore Wendell McKines (9.9 per game).

"They present a lot of challenges," Nash said. "We need to stay with our principles offensively and defensively if we want to neutralize them."

Win or lose tonight, the Aggies will be either the No. 4 or No. 5 seed for the WAC Tournament. The No. 4 and No. 5 seeds meet in the quarterfinals, but New Mexico State head coach Marvin Menzies said tonight's game is still important for his team.

"We're coming here off two losses," Menzies said. "You don't want to take a three-game skid into the tournament, so we really need to win this one."

The Aggies defeated the 'Bows, 82-72, in Las Cruces, N.M., on Jan. 31.

"It seems like a whole season ago that we played," Menzies said. "So we're not taking much from that game. I think both teams have changed since then."

The game will feature two of the WAC's most dynamic players in Young and Hawai'i's Roderick Flemings. In the last meeting, Flemings scored 27 and Young 25.

"We talked a little after that game — he's a good guy and a good player," Flemings said. "I just want to get the win this time. I don't care about the points."

Hawai'i reserve post player Petras Balocka has missed the last four games with a groin injury, but is expected to play tonight.