The new year couldn't come at a better time for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

"We need to move on," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "We have some injuries, we lost some games we probably should have won, but you can't worry about that. Our most important games are coming up, and that's in the league."

The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 7-4 after a frustrating 58-55 loss to the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Believe it or not, Wallace said he projected the 'Bows to be 7-4 at this stage of the season, although he did not count on losing to Penn.

"We're still where we want to be going into the WAC," he said. "It's just that we spoiled everybody, including ourselves, after we beat Michigan State. People expect us to win every game after that. But you have to take into account the players we lost since then. We're not the same with some of our key guys out."

The 'Bows opened the season with an 84-62 victory over then-No. 4 Michigan State.

Since then, reserve guards Bobby Nash and "Little Matt" Gibson, starting forward Julian Sensley and reserve center Chris Botez have missed games because of injuries. Also, reserve center Milos Zivanovic quit.

Nash is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Gibson has already missed eight games because of a suspension and a staph infection, and he still has not been medically cleared to return.

"There's no excuses, because those things happen in basketball," Wallace said. "We're just going to have to learn how to play with a short bench, because that's how it's going to be the rest of the way."

Another ranked opponent is up next in No. 20 Nevada.

The 'Bows will return to their Western Athletic Conference schedule by hosting the Wolf Pack next Thursday.

Hawai'i has been alone atop the WAC standings since Dec. 17, when it beat Utah State.

"We're 1-0 in the league and we're starting a new season now," Wallace said. "You're in league play and that's what really counts."

After playing five games in 10 days, the 'Bows did not practice yesterday and today.

"We're pretty short on players, so I think that'll be a key, getting some rest," junior guard Matt Lojeski said. "We get a little rest, a lot of time to prepare, get our legs back a little bit. We'll be fine."

The 'Bows struggled in their two games this week — a 66-60 victory over winless North Carolina A&T followed by the loss to Penn.

"Even though we lost the game (to Penn), I think it will help us get ready for the league," Wallace said.

Senior co-captain Deonte Tatum said: "I think we're still on a mission. Sometimes, you have little bumps in the road. But I'm still as confident as I was on day one."

HAWAI'I STATS OF NOTE