The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is hoping a diminished roster can come up with a heightened victory today in Irvine, Calif.

With a travel roster of just 10 players — including two walk-ons — the Rainbow Warriors will play their first road game of the season at UC Irvine.

The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. (Hawai'i time) in the Bren Events Center. It will be broadcast via radio on ESPN 1420 AM.

"We've been playing short-handed all season; this is no different," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "We have 10 guys, and we're going to do what ever it takes with those 10 guys to try and get this win."

The 'Bows are 2-3 and on a three-game losing streak.

The Anteaters are 3-3, and this will be only their second home game of the season.

UCI beat Hawai'i, 76-70, last season in the Stan Sheriff Center, and several key players return from that game.

"I think it helps us knowing we lost to them last year," said Hawai'i forward Adhar Mayen, who scored 12 in the loss to UCI last season. "We're treating this as a big game. We don't want to lose to them again."

Starters Eric Wise, Michael Hunter and Patrick Rembert are all back for the Anteaters. Those three combined for 40 points against the 'Bows last season.

Wise, a 6-foot-5 forward, led UCI with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

"He gave us some problems last year when he was a freshman, and he's improved," Nash said. "He's a strong player with good post moves. We'll have our hands full."

The 'Bows will have to do it without several key players. Starting guard Dwain Williams did not travel with the team because he is on a two-game suspension for violating team rules.

Starting forward Bill Amis (injured foot) and reserve center Douglas Kurtz (NCAA suspension) have yet to play this season. Nash wanted Kurtz to travel with the team so he could serve as a practice player on the scout team, but school officials advised Kurtz not to travel until his suspension is completed.

Even without the 7-foot Kurtz, the 'Bows will have a distinct height advantage. Of the 10 players on the trip, six are 6-7 or taller.

The Anteaters like to use three small guards alongside the 6-5 Wise and 6-9 Zack Atkinson.

"I'm sure they'll try to use their quickness," Nash said. "But they can also go to a big lineup if they want to. We have to be prepared for anything."

Indeed, the Anteaters have been rotating as many as 12 players in recent games. Hawai'i, on the other hand, has been giving most of its minutes to seven players.

"We know we're not healthy and we don't have everybody here," Mayen said. "That just means we have to gut it out."