The Rainbow Warriors will conclude their current three-game homestand tonight against the Bulldogs at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Last season, LaTech beat Hawai'i, 62-61, in the Sheriff Center. Since then, the 'Bows have not lost a home game — a streak of 13 consecutive victories.

"They're a relentless team, and they always seem to be in games because they play hard and aggressive," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "They stole one from us last year and we can't let it happen again."

For now, the teams appear to be going in different directions.

Hawai'i has won its last two games and is 10-2 overall and 2-2 in the Western Athletic Conference. LaTech is on a four-game losing streak and is 6-8 overall and 1-4 in the WAC.

On Thursday, San Jose State won its first WAC game of the season by beating LaTech, 88-87.

"They'll be mad like hornets," Wallace said of the Bulldogs. "They're a better team than what they've been showing. I don't understand how they're losing because they've got talent."

LaTech head coach Keith Richard described his team as "snake-bit."

"When we play well offensively, we don't do the job defensively," he said. "Then, when we play well defensively, we fall short offensively. The parts are there, we just haven't put the two together."

The Bulldogs are led by Paul Millsap, a 6-foot-8 sophomore who is one of the best rebounders in the country.

He is averaging 19.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game and shooting 52 percent from the field. Last season, he averaged 12.5 boards per game, and was only the second freshman in history to lead NCAA Division I in rebounding.

"Paul carries a big burden for us," Richard said. "But for us to be a good team, we need more scoring from other players and that's been a struggle for us."

In two games against Hawai'i last season, Millsap combined for 35 points and 23 rebounds.

"You're not going to stop him," Wallace said. "But you want to make him work; make him earn everything he gets."

Hawai'i junior forward "Big Matt" Gipson will likely draw the initial assignment of defending Millsap.

"I have my work cut out for me," said the 6-9 Gipson. "I've only seen him on film, but I can see he's a workhorse."

Since Gipson was inserted into the starting lineup two games ago, the 'Bows have jumped to big leads in both games. On Thursday, Hawai'i raced to a 23-point first-half lead en route to a 71-59 victory over Southern Methodist.

"I like to think I can bring energy to the team," he said. "So if it's at the start, then that's even better because it gives us a lead and we can be comfortable after that."

The Bulldogs hope to be comfortable after a day of rest yesterday. They did not practice last night after making the flight from San Jose, Calif., to Honolulu.

"We had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning and it was just too long of a day," Richard said. "I decided to just rest the guys and let them get their legs back for (tonight)."

In any case, Richard said he has no secret plan for success in Honolulu.

"We have to play a perfect game; last year, we did and we won by one," he said. "It's going to take that kind of effort again just to keep it a close game."