There is no rest for the road weary in the Western Athletic Conference.

After losing road games at Nevada Saturday and at Utah State Monday, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team had to make another long trip yesterday.

But this time, the Rainbow Warriors returned home, where they hope to reverse their road woes despite minimal preparation time.

The 'Bows are 10-8 overall and 4-4 in the WAC. They are 10-2 at home and 0-6 on the road.

"I thought maybe we could steal one on the trip and then go home and take care of business," Hawai'i coach Riley Wallace said. "Now we have our back to the wall. Four (WAC) losses. We just can't lose any more at home and any more on the road. We still got a shot, but it's a long one."

The 'Bows returned to Ho-nolulu yesterday afternoon from Logan, Utah. They will have only today to practice for another WAC game against Idaho tomorrow.

"Nothing you can do about it," senior forward Julian Sensley said of the constant travel during the WAC season. "That's what you signed up for."

Idaho is 0-7 in the WAC after an 89-54 loss at Fresno State on Monday. The Vandals, who are 3-15 overall, are in their first year in the WAC.

Idaho arrived in Honolulu yesterday morning, and had time to practice last night.

"They'll be in town before we get there," Wallace said. "So it's almost like we're making another (road) trip."

The 'Bows will also host San Jose State in another WAC game Saturday, meaning they will have played four conference games in eight days in three different cities and three different time zones.

"We're going to fight to the end," senior point guard Deonte Tatum said. "We're still in the hunt. We're still believing. It's ugly right now, but it's not over for us."

Wallace points out that Hawai'i's four road losses in the WAC are against the four teams currently ahead of them in the standings: Louisiana Tech, Utah State, Nevada and New Mexico State.

He also noted that the 'Bows have split the home-and-home series with Nevada and Utah State. The Wolf Pack and Aggies are the two highest-rated teams in the conference according to most Rating Percentage Index rankings, although Louisiana Tech is currently in first place.

If the 'Bows are to make a run at the conference leaders, much will depend on their big men.

Starting center Ahmet Gueye and starting forward "Big Matt" Gipson combined for just 14 points and 20 rebounds in the losses at Nevada and Utah State.

"We're going to have to get better on the inside presence because that relieves the pressure so guys can get their outside shots," Wallace said.

Santa Clara set for Feb. 18: Hawai'i's Feb. 18 non-conference home game against Santa Clara was finalized yesterday.

The game was not selected for broadcast on the ESPN Bracket Buster.

The Broncos are 8-11 overall and 1-6 in the West Coast Conference.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.