Moscow, Idaho, can be a forgettable place. Especially compared to Honolulu.

But the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team wants to remember its trip to Moscow last month as it prepares for tonight's rematch with Idaho.

"We need to remember how that game went because we lost our focus," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "That game, maybe more than any other, showed us what can happen if we're not focused from start to finish."

The Rainbow Warriors will try to avenge last month's 67-47 loss at Idaho today at the Stan Sheriff Center. It was Hawai'i's worst loss this season in terms of margin.

The game is scheduled to start at 6:05 p.m. — one hour earlier than originally scheduled.

Hawai'i is 10-11 overall and tied for seventh place in the Western Athletic Conference at 3-7. The Vandals are 10-11 overall and in fifth place at 4-4.

The 'Bows are coming off a 69-43 blowout of Fresno State on Thursday.

"We have to do the same things we did to be successful," Nash said. "That's control the tempo, control the boards, and control our emotions."

They may have to do it without starting forward Bill Amis. The 6-foot-9 junior injured his ankle in the Fresno State game, and was unable to practice yesterday.

"We're hopeful he can go, but we'll have to see how he feels (today)," Nash said. "We're certainly not going to force the issue, although we'd like to have him against a good Idaho team."

The Vandals did not play Thursday, so they arrived in Honolulu early and got to scout Hawai'i's victory in their hotel rooms via KFVE.

First-year head coach Don Verlin said he expects to see a different Hawai'i team than the one the Vandals beat a month ago.

"We played very well that last game, so you want to carry that part over," Verlin said. "But obviously Hawai'i is playing a lot better since then. I was impressed with the way they dominated Fresno State."

Idaho is led by junior point guard Mac Hopson, who is averaging 16.9 points and a WAC-best 6.0 assists per game.

Verlin said Hopson deserves to be in discussions for WAC Player of the Year.

"When you do what he's done with this team, he deserves consideration," Verlin said. "I'm not saying he is the player of the year right now, but he certainly deserves consideration."

Nash agreed that Hopson is the key to Idaho's success.

"He's probably the best point guard in the league," Nash said. "He can control the game and find the open man, and score when he needs to."

Hawai'i's key player is junior wing Roderick Flemings, who is second in the WAC with 17.3 points per game.

"Roderick Flemings is as good a player as you'll find in the WAC," Verlin said. "He's our first concern. But there are others as well. We're going to have to come out and be ready."