Bob Nash would like to see the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team play a tough schedule in 2007-08, regardless if he is the head coach of the Rainbow Warriors.

Nash's role with the 'Bows next season remains to be seen. But for now, he has a job as the associate coach, and one of his duties is to schedule opponents for the 2007-08 season.

"I have responsibilities to this program, and one of them is to fill the schedule," Nash said. "So I'm going to do the best I can to do that."

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace has already announced his resignation, effective at the end of this season. Nash has announced his interest in becoming Wallace's replacement.

The 2007-08 schedule is far from being completed, but Nash said several "name" schools have expressed interest.

Illinois is trying to finalize details to play the 'Bows in the Stan Sheriff Center in mid-November. The Fighting Illini will play in the 2007 Maui Invitational, so they could play Hawai'i before heading to Maui.

Nash said securing the Illinois game may require the 'Bows to play at Illinois in the future, which is something he would not mind doing if he were to become head coach.

Nash said Pittsburgh is also interested in playing at Hawai'i in December.

Also, Indiana and Washington State have been extended invitations to participate in the 2007 Rainbow Classic.

Four visiting teams have already been secured for the 2007 Rainbow Classic — Ohio University, Louisiana-Lafayette, Saint Mary's and St. John's.

Nash said he would like to put Washington State on the 2007-08 schedule since former 'Iolani School star Derrick Low will be a senior.

"Derrick Low is a big name here locally, so bringing him back for his senior year would be nice for him and the fans here," Nash said.

Nash, fellow associate coach Jackson Wheeler, and assistant coach Alika Smith are all fulfilling their duties as if they are returning next season, according to Wallace.

"I would say nothing's changed," Wallace said. "I'm the one who's staying out of it a little more, because I don't want anybody to say I was overloading or underloading for the next guy. But other than that, we're still doing things the way we normally would."

Wheeler, for example, will be shuttling between Honolulu and the Mainland over the next few weeks in search of recruits for next season.

The 'Bows will have at least three scholarships to fill for the 2007-08 season, and Wheeler said he is targeting a point guard and two big men.

"Me and (Nash) talk all the time about next year," Wheeler said. "We have to. We want to keep the program stable. I'm still going out recruiting like I normally would."

BIG WEEK FOR 'BOWS

The 'Bows returned home Sunday after going 0-2 on the road to open the Western Athletic Conference season.

It won't get any easier this week, as Hawai'i (9-6 overall) will host Fresno State (13-2, 2-0) on Thursday, and No. 19-ranked Nevada (13-1, 1-0) on Saturday.

"Must-win games if we want to stay in it," Wallace said.

Wallace said this week is comparable to last month's Rainbow Classic, when the 'Bows beat Nebraska and Creighton on back-to-back nights.

"Two very good teams, but we've done it before," he said. "We've always been good at home and we need to show it again."

The 'Bows will have today and tomorrow to prepare for the Bulldogs. They took the day off yesterday because it was the first day of classes after the winter break.

"The guys had to get to class and get their books and all that, so we told them to get that taken care of and come back ready to go (today)," Wallace said.

WALLACE'S IDEAL WAC

Wallace made his last trip to Ruston, La., as Hawai'i's head coach, and he hopes the next coach won't have to go there in future years.

And he said it has nothing to do with LaTech's current six-game winning streak against the 'Bows.

"It just doesn't make sense for the WAC," he said. "Travel-wise, it's hard for everybody."

Wallace said it was easier when Texas schools like SMU, TCU and Rice were in the WAC.

Now, the closest WAC team to LaTech is New Mexico State, and the 'Bows needed eight hours to get from Las Cruces, N.M., to Ruston.

"It's nothing against the Louisiana Tech program or institution — my father-in-law went there, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law went there — it's a great school," Wallace said. "But if you look at how the WAC is now, it's asking a lot for teams to go there ... and for (LaTech) to travel as well."

Wallace said his ideal scenario would be to bring San Diego State and UNLV back to the WAC to replace LaTech and create a 10-team conference.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.