Hopkins did not practice with the Mustangs last night because of a wrist injury, but he said he will play tomorrow.

It will be a key game for the Rainbow Warriors and Mustangs as far as positioning in the WAC standings. Both teams are in the middle of the pack right now: Hawai'i is 9-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference; SMU is 7-5 and 2-2.

Hopkins, however, is near the top in several individual statistical categories.

He is averaging 17.5 points, 4.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 3-pointers and 1.9 steals per game. He has already been named WAC Player of the Week twice this season (no Hawai'i player has won it once).

In addition to his quickness, Hopkins has explosive jumping ability that makes him one of the best dunkers in the WAC.

"I just go out and try to help my team win," said Hopkins, a junior. "I know teams are going to focus on me now, so I have to find other ways to help get the victory."

Wallace said the 'Bows are not designing any special defenses for Hopkins. The task of defending Hopkins in UH's man-to-man scheme will go to either Deonte Tatum or "Little Matt" Gibson.

"Just don't give him any easy buckets," Tatum said. "You have to keep him in front of you and you're also going to need help from your teammates."

Gibson, who said he played pickup games with Hopkins a year ago, added: "He can fly. You just have to do what you can and hope he misses."

Hopkins was the WAC Freshman of the Year two seasons ago, and finished third in the conference in scoring last season with 17.7 points per game.

But he said he is having his most fun this season under first-year head coach Jimmy Tubbs.

"I think we're more defensive-minded this year," Hopkins said. "We're looking to get up and down (the court) more. Coach Tubbs lets us play a lot more — he wants us to play fast and smart. That's my game ... that's why I like it."

Prior to last night's practice, Tubbs was still not sure how effective Hopkins would be because of the wrist injury.

"If he doesn't play, whew," Tubbs said. "We're not the same team without Bryan Hopkins."

The Mustangs will definitely be without one other starter. Freshman guard Derrick Roberts sustained a knee injury in SMU's last game, and he did not travel with the team yesterday.

Sophomore Devon Pearson is expected to start in Roberts' place.

Sensley expected to play tomorrow

Hawai'i leading scorer Julian Sensley missed his second consecutive practice yesterday because he was still suffering from flu-like symptoms.

He was able to shoot free throws at the end of practice, and should be ready to practice today and start in tomorrow's game.

Sensley, a 6-9 junior forward, has started all 44 games of his Hawai'i career. He leads the 'Bows with 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Senior Vaidotas Peciukas has been working with the first team the past two days in Sensley's absence.