LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Sunday was not a day of rest for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

One day after their worst loss of the season, the Rainbow Warriors regrouped for a two-hour practice yesterday.

"We can't afford to take any days off," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "If we want to win this tournament, we have to work for it."

Hawai'i will face Boise State in a quarterfinal game of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday. It is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. (Hawai'i time) in the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State University.

The 'Bows are 11-18 overall and finished 7-9 in the WAC regular season. They are the No. 5 seed for the nine-team tournament.

Boise State is 22-8 overall and finished in a four-way tie for first place in the WAC at 12-4. But based on tie-breakers, the Broncos are the No. 4 seed.

"We have four days to get ready for them," Nash said. "We're a little beat up right now, but we need to get ready for this game. We're on the road, so the guys have lots of time to rest and get treatment (for injuries) before and after practice."

The 'Bows will enter the tournament on a six-game losing streak, including a 106-71 loss at New Mexico State on Saturday that was as close as the final score indicated. It was the most points scored against Hawai'i in eight years.

But due to travel problems, the 'Bows were not properly prepared for Saturday's game. They did not practice Friday, and arrived in Las Cruces less than five hours before tip-off.

"That was unbelievable," senior point guard Matt Gibson said. "I hope we never have to do that again."

Now settled in Las Cruces, the 'Bows are the only team besides New Mexico State that will have nearly a full week to prepare for the tournament.

"We have to take advantage of it," Gibson said. "We just played in that gym, so we know what it's like. We have time to rest, and time to practice, and time to get acclimated. By game-time, we'll be ready."

Boise State has already defeated Hawai'i twice this season, including a 78-71 victory in Honolulu on March 1.

"I think it'll help our scouting to have seen them so recently," Nash said. "But we still have to guard them. We haven't done a good job of stopping their transition game, so that's something we have to work on."

The 'Bows worked out in a practice gym on the New Mexico State campus yesterday. The Pan American Center was not available because it was being prepared for the tournament.

Nash said the 'Bows will practice at a nearby high school today and tomorrow since practice times will be limited on the New Mexico State campus this week.

"We're here on business," Nash said. "It's a long trip, but we have a goal in mind. We've lost some games recently, but that's over. We're looking at this as a three-game season now."

If anything, the relatively quiet environment of Las Cruces should help.

"Unless you're really into the desert, there's not much to do here," Gibson said. "But that's good. We'll be focused.

"We're tired, our bodies are sore, and we're far from home. But we're still confident. We like where we're at."

MEN'S WAC TOURNAMENT

(Hawai'i times)

TOMORROW

San Jose State vs. Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY

Boise State vs. Hawai'i, 8 a.m.

Utah State vs. San Jose State/Louisiana Tech winner, 10:30 a.m.

Nevada vs. Fresno State, 2 p.m.

New Mexico State vs. Idaho, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Semifinals, 2 and 3:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Championship, 3 p.m.

WOMEN'S WAC TOURNAMENT

TOMORROW

Idaho vs. San Jose State, 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Nevada vs. Louisiana Tech, 8 a.m.

Fresno State vs. Idaho/San Jose State winner, 10:30 a.m.

New Mexico State vs. Hawai'i, 2 p.m.

Boise State vs. Utah State, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Semifinals, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

SATURDAY

Championship, 9 a.m.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.