"It's done; it's over," Gibson said. "I made a mistake and I got what I deserved. I just want to get back to helping this team win basketball games."

Gibson was dismissed from practice on Tuesday after a verbal altercation with two coaches, and was told not to attend Wednesday's practice by head coach Riley Wallace. Gibson met with Wallace before yesterday's practice.

"I said if he showed up at practice (yesterday) then everything is fine," Wallace said. "Well, he's here, so that means everything is fine."

Gibson was apologetic for his actions, describing it as "a bad day from the start." He said his car was towed earlier on Tuesday.

"It wasn't about basketball," he said. "I'm still going to be the same player. I'm still going to give it my all when I get my chance."

Wallace said he was not sure if Gibson's status would be affected for tomorrow's home game against Saint Mary's. "It depends on how he does in practice," Wallace said.

Gibson, who is 6 feet 5 and 170 pounds, has started the last two games and is second on the team with 11.8 points per game.

Sophomore guard Bobby Nash also returned to practice yesterday. He missed Wednesday's practice because of an infection in his right leg.

Senior guard Jake Sottos remained on the sidelines because of a neck injury, and his status for tomorrow's game is now questionable.

"The way this team is with depth, you have different guys stepping up every game," Wallace said. "If Jake's not ready, somebody else will be."

Gaels present big challenge for 'Bows

For the first time this season, Saint Mary's will have its full roster available when it plays Hawai'i tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Paul Marigney, the team's leading scorer and 3-point shooter last season, is eligible after sitting out the first nine games for academic reasons. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 16.0 points per game and was an All-West Coast Conference first-team selection.

Also, 6-7 forward Erik Bond, a touted transfer from California, is now eligible.

"I can't tell you exactly when they're going to start playing and when they're going to get minutes and when roles are going to change," Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett said. "I'm hoping it will be a gradual type of situation. What ever gives us the best chance to win is what I'm looking for."

The Gaels are 6-3, and their three losses have been to then-No. 23 Memphis, then-No. 12 Mississippi State, and at Rutgers.

"They've played a quality schedule," Wallace said. "They're one of those teams that is much better than its record because they've already played tough teams in tough places."

The Gaels are well-traveled, having made two separate trips to the East Coast before arriving in Honolulu yesterday.

"It should be a positive over the long haul," Bennett said of the traveling. "I think short term, it's tough."

In any case, Saint Mary's is the first team this season that will be able to match Hawai'i's size.

The Gaels are expected to start a frontline of 7-1, 260-pound center Blake Sholberg, 6-10, 240-pound forward Daniel Kickert, and 6-7, 215-pound forward Jonathan Sanders.

Kickert is the top player with averages of 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Frederic Adjiwanou, a 6-8, 230-pound forward, is contributing 9.6 points and 9.0 rebounds off the bench.

The 4-0 'Bows will counter with a frontline of 7-foot center Chris Botez, 6-9 forward Julian Sensley and 6-8 forward Jeff Blackett. Matthew Gipson, a 6-9 forward, is the top reserve.

"We usually can take advantage of our size," Wallace said. "But that's not going to happen in this game. We'll have to execute and play our game because nothing's going to come easy."

Note

The Hawai'i pep band and "Manoa Maniacs" student section will wear new green-and-white striped shirts tomorrow. The shirts were provided by the UH basketball booster club. All other fans are being encouraged to wear white shirts.