By next week, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is hoping to be at full strength.

This week, the Rainbow Warriors have a limited roster.

Several 'Bows sat out yesterday's practice for various reasons, and Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash is prepared to play an exhibition game against Chaminade on Friday with a makeshift rotation.

"Guys have nagging injuries at this time of the year — that's part of the game," Nash said. "We still have enough guys to mix and match and get us through a practice."

It probably didn't help that the 'Bows went through a grueling three-hour practice at the Stan Sheriff Center yesterday, with an emphasis on physical defensive drills. Three players needed attention from the medical training staff during the practice session.

"That's the nature of the business," junior forward Bill Amis said. "The games are going to be physical, so we have to be physical in practice to get ready."

The most notable absentee continues to be star forward Roderick Flemings. He has been in Dallas since last week because of the death of his grandfather.

Flemings will not play in Friday's exhibition game, but Nash said he expects him to be back for the regular-season opener against San Francisco on Nov. 14.

Sophomore point guard Hiram Thompson suited up for yesterday's practice, but did not participate in most of the drills because of a hamstring injury. He will probably not play on Friday.

"I would much rather have a healthy Hiram Thompson ready for the regular season," Nash said. "Right now, he needs rest so I don't want to push him."

Junior forward Brandon Adams is still awaiting clearance on a paperwork issue, so his status is also in question for Friday. He did not play in Sunday's 72-70 exhibition victory over Hawai'i-Hilo.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to address his issue soon," Nash said. "But again, the main thing is to have him ready for the regular season."

Freshman guard Conrad Fitzgerald took an inadvertent elbow to the face during yesterday's drills and had to leave practice to get stitches. He may not be able to play on Friday as well.

Also, junior guard Lasha Parghalava sat out most of yesterday's practice because he felt ill. He said he thinks it may have been food poisoning.

He landed awkwardly on his elbow during one of the drills, but said it was OK.

"I'll be fine," Parghalava said. "Getting hurt is part of basketball. If nobody is getting hurt, that means you're not working hard. I'm proud of my teammates because you can see everybody is trying to get tougher."

Freshman guard Leroy Lutu Jr. suffered a thumb injury, but was able to finish the practice.

"It was a long, hard practice and we did it with fewer bodies," Nash said. "That's going to make us better down the line."

Amis added: "It doesn't matter who's in there. We all have to go out and play a role to help us get the win."