Most visitors who lose in Las Vegas don't get a second chance to make it up.

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will.

The Rainbow Warriors will host UNLV tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center in a rematch of a game at Las Vegas on Nov. 10. The Runnin' Rebels won that first meeting, 73-59.

"We're the same team we were then, but we're more comfortable with each other — more settled in with what we need to do to win games," Hawai'i sophomore guard Dominic Waters said. "And it's a big advantage to be at home."

The 'Bows are 4-3; the Runnin' Rebels are 5-2.

Hawai'i never got the hot hand in Las Vegas, shooting a season-low 33.3 percent. The 'Bows also struggled against UNLV's pressure defense, committing 19 turnovers.

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said the key to tonight's game will be the 'Bows' ability to pass successfully against UNLV's defense.

"We don't have a pure point guard who can get away from the pressure, and that makes a big difference," Wallace said. "We have to rely on all five guys making strong cuts and passing it to the right spot. It'll come down to execution."

Hawai'i junior center Stephen Verwers said: "I think of all the teams we've played so far, that was the best pressure we've seen. They beat us that first time, so we have to expect them to do a lot of the same stuff."

But unlike Hawai'i — which has used the same starting lineup for all seven games this season — the Rebels are expected to go with a slightly different look tonight.

Michael Umeh, a 6-foot-2 senior guard and one of the key players in UNLV's defensive scheme, is doubtful for tonight's game because of a knee injury. He played just six minutes in UNLV's last game, a 93-53 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday.

Umeh is averaging 9.7 points per game, and is second on the team with 14 3-pointers.

"He didn't practice (yesterday), so we'll probably hold him out," UNLV head coach Lon Kruger said of Umeh.

Corey Bailey, a 6-5 forward, will take Umeh's place in the starting lineup.

Also, 6-8 senior Gaston Essengue is expected to start at center for UNLV in place of 6-9 senior Joel Anthony.

"The last four or five games, he's been really active; really aggressive," Kruger said of Essengue. "He's more of a threat to score in the low post."

Interestingly, Anthony had his best game of the season against Hawai'i, recording 10 points, eight rebounds and eight blocked shots.

In any case, Hawai'i should have the height advantage. The 'Bows will start 6-5 Matt Gibson and 6-6 Matt Lojeski at guards, 6-6 Bobby Nash and 6-8 Ahmet Gueye at forwards, and 6-11 Verwers at center.

Gueye and Verwers combined for zero points and 11 rebounds in Hawai'i's 68-59 loss at Santa Clara last Wednesday.

"The pressure is on Ahmet and I to show what we can do," Verwers said.

NOTES

Tonight's game is the last in a two-year, four-game contract between Hawai'i and UNLV. Wallace said he would be interested in renewing the home-and-home series next season if he returns to coach the 'Bows.

Tonight's game has been designated a "White-Out," so all fans are encouraged to wear white shirts. "It's cool when you look up and see all the white shirts," Waters said. "It really stands out and it makes it exciting for us."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.