LONG BEACH, Calif. — Don't expect it to be a day at the beach when the University of Hawai'i plays another road game today at Long Beach State.

It is not a conference game. It will not be televised on one of the ESPN networks. It will probably have no bearing on postseason implications for either team.

But ...

"There's always something to play for when it's a game," Hawai'i junior point guard Matt Gibson said. "It's about pride; it's about respect."

The game is scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m. (Hawai'i time) in Walter Pyramid.

The Rainbow Warriors and 49ers were paired against each other mostly because of geographic proximity after both were left out of the ESPN BrackeBusters.

"It's still important because it counts on our record," Hawai'i senior co-captain Ahmet Gueye said. "And this is a good team we're playing, so we have to come out and show we can play with a team like that."

Hawai'i is 14-12 overall and in seventh place in the Western Athletic Conference at 5-8. Long Beach State is 18-6 overall and in first place in the Big West Conference at 9-2.

"This is the No. 1 team in their conference, so we want to show that the WAC is a tough conference," Gibson said.

Because the game is taking place late in the conference season for both teams, neither team has had much preparation.

"It'll be tough," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "We have to stay focused for 40 minutes, because if you let up for one minute (Long Beach State) can take off on you."

The 'Bows lost a WAC game at Utah State on Wednesday, and arrived in Long Beach on Thursday afternoon. They had two nights to prepare for a 49er team that likes to run and gun.

"They're similar to Fresno State, but with maybe a little better shooters," Hawai'i senior guard Matt Lojeski said. "They'll get out and run and shoot the 3 whenever they can."

The 49ers start five players 6 feet 6 and shorter, and four of them are considered 3-point threats. They average 78.3 points per game, and make an average of 8.3 3s per game.

"We're built to go up and down the floor and shoot the 3," Long Beach State head coach Larry Reynolds said. "We want the (score) up in the 80s and 90s."

Four players average double-figure points for the 49ers, led by 6-2, 219-pound guard Aaron Nixon. He is averaging 17.4 points per game and leads the team with 55 3-pointers.

Kejuan Johnson, a 6-4 guard, is averaging 15.7 points per game. He and 6-9 reserve center Mark Dawson were suspended for three games this month due to possible recruiting violations, but have since been cleared to play.

Hawai'i will counter with five starters 6-5 and taller.

"Hawai'i's size is definitely a concern," Reynolds said. "It's going to be a tale of two teams, and which team can dictate the offensive flow."

Reynolds said he is particularly concerned about Gueye, Hawai'i's 6-8 starting center, who is averaging 12.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

"He's a strong player in the post, and we've had our problems with players like that all year," Reynolds said.

Gueye said: "Definitely, I have to take advantage of my size. But if they double-team me, I have to make sure I find the open man for a better shot."

The 49ers won a road game at Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday to take over sole possession of first place in the Big West.

"We had to put all our eggs into preparing for that game because it was such an important game," Reynolds said. "But that's only going to make this game that much tougher for us."

Reynolds said he does not expect his team to get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, so the 49ers' main focus has to be on the Big West Conference Tournament.

"But this game against Hawai'i is still important because it will prepare us for our conference tournament," he said. "And our goal is to win that tournament because I think that's the only way to get in to the NCAAs."

In Hawai'i's practices on Thursday and yesterday, Wallace emphasized the importance of a disciplined offense.

"They haven't seen our offense, so we should be able to get some open shots, some open layups, if we run our offense right," Lojeski said.

If anything, the outlook of the 'Bows was a little brighter yesterday, just like the California weather.

Associate coach Bob Nash and assistant coach Alika Smith returned to practice duties yesterday after sitting out Thursday due to illnesses.

What's more, the sun was shining and the temperatures were in the 70s yesterday.

"It's a lot better than some of the other places we go in the WAC," Gueye said. "At Utah State, it was so cold and snowing. This is a lot nicer. Almost like home, except the air is dry. Hopefully that will help us."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.