Two days before the start of finals week, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is hoping to ace its next test on the court.

The Rainbow Warriors will host Chicago State tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center in a rematch of a game from last season.

"They came in here last year, so they know what to expect," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said.

The 'Bows are hoping for a similar outcome. Last season, Hawai'i defeated the Cougars, 85-75.

"I don't remember," Hawai'i senior forward Petras Balocka said. "This is a new game. We have to focus on the team this year, not last year."

Balocka actually had one of his better games of last season against Chicago State, recording 21 points and 10 rebounds.

He sat out Hawai'i's last game — a struggling 70-61 victory over Chaminade on Wednesday — with an ankle injury. Balocka, who is averaging 9.9 points and a team-high 10.7 rebounds per game, said he will play tonight.

But in keeping with a theme of this season, a couple of other 'Bows are questionable.

Starting forward and leading scorer Roderick Flemings (leg) and starting center Paul Campbell (back) were not able to practice yesterday. Nash said both players will be game-time decisions.

"They'll get treatment and we'll see how they are (today)," Nash said. "It was a situation where we didn't want to push it and have them aggravate the injury in practice. We're hoping both those guys will be ready."

Hawai'i is 4-4, including 2-0 on its current nine-game homestand.

"This is a big game," junior point guard Hiram Thompson said. "We're 4-4 right now and we need to get over the .500 mark."

The 'Bows may be catching the Cougars at the right time.

Chicago State is on a three-game road trip, and the first two games have been disastrous. The Cougars lost at Central Michigan, 78-40, and then at Nebraska, 74-39.

Chicago State is 3-4 overall, but the three wins were against small-college programs.

"They've played in some real hostile places on the road — Nebraska, Iowa State," Nash said. "Their record is not indicative of how they can play."

If anything, the 'Bows cannot rely too much on last season's win to prepare them for tonight's game.

Last season, Chicago State ranked third in NCAA Division I in scoring with 84.2 points per game, led by guard David Holston's 25.4 points per game.

Holston also led the nation with 147 3-pointers, but he is now playing professionally in Europe.

This season — with just one returning starter from a year ago — the Cougars are averaging 66.0 points per game, and have made a total of just 20 3-pointers in seven games.

"They're a different team, but they run a lot of the same sets," Nash said. "We still have to get out on their shooters because they're all capable. And they have some good bigs who can post up and rebound."

Win or lose, the 'Bows will have time to rest — and take tests — before their next game. After tonight, Hawai'i's next game will be against College of Charleston on Dec. 22, the opening night of the inaugural Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.

"Definitely don't want to lose this one and then have to think about it for the next week and a half," Balocka said. "We have to continue this streak, keep trying to win as many of these home games as we can."

Nash said there are no scheduled games next week because the UH students will be taking final exams.

"We know they have a lot to take care of between studying for finals and practice," Nash said. "But I like the way the guys are responding. The last couple days of practice have been positive, so hopefully it translates into the game."

NOTES

When Petras Balocka recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds against Lamar on Dec. 6, it was reported to be the first 20-20 game by a Hawai'i player since Bob Nash did it in December 1971. Upon further review by the UH media relations staff, the last Hawai'i player to record a 20-20 game was Melton Werts, who had 27 points and 22 rebounds against UNLV on Nov. 30, 1973.

Since Hawai'i went to an all-college schedule in 1968-69, there have been only six 20-20 games. Nash had three, Werts two and Balocka one.