Appropriate enough for this time of year, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team took some alone time to reflect yesterday.

In preparation for tonight's non-conference game against Northwestern State, the Rainbow Warriors held a private practice.

"I just wanted to get their attention a little more," said Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash, who usually opens practices to the public. "There was a lot more yelling, a lot more coaching. And I didn't want any of our guys to feel embarrassed in front of other people who might be watching, so I decided to close the doors."

Hawai'i is 6-6 after finishing 1-2 and in fourth place in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic last week. Northwestern State is 5-5.

Nash said he is particularly concerned about his team's turnover-prone offense. In its three tournament games last week, Hawai'i committed an average of 18.7 turnovers per game.

"I wanted to drive home the point that each possession needs to be valued," he said. "We were a victim of our own doing in terms of committing turnovers.

"It's something we should have had ironed out by now. It's just that we have so many guys coming and going. It's been hard to build consistency over time."

Sticking with the season-long injury theme, the 'Bows will be in an uncertain situation again today.

Leading scorer Roderick Flemings was still unable to practice yesterday due to a bruised right knee, and his status for tonight's game is questionable.

"He's missed time, obviously, and certainly if you can't practice the day before a game, then it's doubtful you can play," Nash said. "He may get some limited action. We'll see (today). Pending a miraculous recovery, it's probably doubtful."

Flemings did not suit up for Friday's game because of the injury. He has battled several nagging injuries during his two seasons with the 'Bows, but that was the first game he missed.

In his absence, junior guard Dwain Williams scored a career-high 36 points in an 84-75 loss to Saint Mary's on the final day of the Diamond Head Classic.

"The good thing is it wasn't all jump shots — jacking it up from 3," Nash said. "He was being aggressive, taking it to the rim and getting fouled (making 16 of 18 free-throw attempts). We just needed one or two other guys to step up and do the same thing."

Starting point guard Hiram Thompson sat out the final 10 minutes of the Saint Mary's game after taking an inadvertent hit to his face. He was able to practice yesterday, although reserve Jeremy Lay could see extra minutes against Northwestern State, if needed.

"We limited Hiram a little bit, but he should be good to go," Nash said. "We worked Dwain and Jeremy at the point as well, so we should be ready regardless."

Thompson had the best game of his freshman season against Northwestern State in 2005, recording 15 points and four assists.

The Demons are frequent visitors to the Sheriff Center. This is their fourth trip here since 2001.

"In our league, we bus to all the games," Northwestern State head coach Mike McConathy said. "So booking a trip to Hawai'i every couple of years is a great recruiting tool for a program like ours."

The Demons, who are from Natchitoches, La., are also used to traveling, period.

They have already played five road games, including losses at Texas Tech, Indiana, LSU and Louisiana Tech.

"We're young, and so a lot of our guys are new to this," McConathy said. "It's a situation where we try to prepare ourselves for our league by going to all these tough places, and certainly Hawai'i will be another."

Northwestern State is 0-3 against Hawai'i in its previous trips, although the losses have been by an average of 5.7 points per game.

The Demons' top player is 6-foot-4 senior guard Damon Jones. Another key player is point guard Michael McConathy — the coach's son.

"Their perimeter is the strength of their team," Nash said. "(Jones) can shoot it and he can drive it, so he'll be a challenge. And they have a point guard who can deliver the ball where it needs to be."

Still, Nash's main concern is Hawai'i's offense, especially considering that the Demons are averaging 8.5 steals per game.

"We have to take care of the ball if we want to have a chance to win," he said.