Defending home court didn't work out last week for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Now the Rainbow Warriors want to get offensive on the road.

"We have to generate more offense, that's the bottom line," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "Our defense still needs to improve, but for the most part, we've been OK defensively. It's on the other end, on offense, where we need to pick it up if we're to turn this thing around."

The 'Bows arrived in Reno, Nev., late last night after nearly 12 hours of traveling.

Hawai'i will play a Western Athletic Conference game at Nevada tomorrow at the Lawlor Events Center.

The 'Bows, who are on a three-game losing streak, are 9-8 overall and in eighth place in the WAC at 1-4. The Wolf Pack, which is on a four-game winning streak, is 11-7 overall and in second place in the WAC at 4-1.

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

Since the start of WAC play, Hawai'i has struggled to produce points. In their five WAC games, the 'Bows are averaging 56.0 points per game, which ranks last among the nine conference teams. Overall, Hawai'i is averaging 65.5 points per game.

"It's no secret that we've been having our problems working against zones," Nash said. "That's why teams have been using it against us. I don't see teams changing the formula unless we show we can score. That's what we're working on."

Nevada traditionally likes to employ a man-to-man defense, but Nash said he expects to see a zone from the Wolf Pack. Hawai'i's last eight opponents have used zone defenses against the 'Bows.

Nash has installed several new plays in recent weeks, mostly designed to find shots between zones — not necessarily over zones.

"The misconception is you have to hit 3s to beat a zone," Nash said. "You can still beat it with 2s. There are a lot of gaps in any zone that give you good looks. You hit enough of them, it adds up."

Hawai'i ranks last in the WAC with 62 3-pointers.

Junior guard Lasha Parghalava leads the 'Bows with 22 3-pointers, although his percentage from 3-point range is .278. He said he and his teammates have not lost confidence in their shooting abilities.

"I know I'm not doing the good job like I'm supposed to," Parghalava said. "But it's still my responsibility to shoot the ball. Coach Nash and Coach (Larry) Farmer told me I'm forcing my shots. I've been working on it in practice. I'm going to get better."

During practices this week, Parghalava had to run a series of sprints every time he launched an ill-fated shot from long range.

"That was a good way to learn," he said.

Nash said he would prefer the 'Bows to take jump shots from 12 to 15 feet away from the basket.

"We may not have that consistent 3-point guy, but we've got a lot of guys who can hit that mid-range shot," Nash said. "If you work hard enough, you find those shots against zones."

Nash said it should also help to have a relatively healthy Petras Balocka back in action. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound junior has been slowed in recent weeks by a groin injury.

"He's a big part of our offense, and we need to get him back in the mix so he becomes a factor inside for us," Nash said.