Colt Brennan isn't the only athlete keeping the University of Hawai'i trainers busy this week.

Bobby Nash joined the list of wounded players on the UH men's basketball team yesterday.

Nash left yesterday's practice after injuring his left shoulder. He walked off the court without assistance, and head coach Bob Nash said his son is now the latest addition to the team's "day to day" injury list.

"Right now, it's precautionary," Bob Nash said. "What the extent of the injury is, I don't know."

Nash, a 6-foot-7 senior, led the Rainbow Warriors with 22 points and nine rebounds in their 73-72 season-opening loss to San Diego on Friday.

Senior point guard Matt Gibson sat out the San Diego game with an injured left knee. He has yet to be cleared for practice, and was walking with a brace on his knee yesterday.

Nash is a starting forward who can also play other positions. Against San Diego, he split time at power forward and point guard.

Gibson and Nash are two of the three team captains, and the most experienced players on the roster.

"Those are our two leaders, but we can still put five guys on the floor," Bob Nash said. "If a guy is injured, it's out of my hands. I can only work with the guys who are on the floor."

During yesterday's practice, the 'Bows went with a makeshift lineup that featured freshman Kareem Nitoto at point guard, senior Riley Luettgerodt at shooting guard, senior Jared Dillinger at small forward, sophomore Bill Amis at power forward, and senior Stephen Verwers at center.

"We can mix and match," Nash said. "That's why I keep telling the guys that they all have to be ready."

The 'Bows will not have much time to recover.

Illinois — the marquee opponent of the early season for Hawai'i — will play the 'Bows on Friday in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"Injuries are part of the game," Amis said. "We can't think about that. We all practice different positions every day in practice, so we have no excuse."

If Gibson and Nash are unable to play Friday, a concern would be depth at point guard. Nitoto got his first collegiate experience against San Diego.

Bob Nash said Dillinger and Luettgerodt are capable of filling in, if necessary.

"We've won a lot of games in the past without a true point guard," he said. "I'm confident that guys will step up when called upon."

Freshman recruit Ji Xiang is already out for the season with a knee injury. Also, senior forward P.J. Owsley has been slowed by a calf injury.

"Nobody said this job was going to be easy," said Nash, who is in his first season as head coach. "We've already had to adjust early on, and we'll continue to adjust if we need to."

AMIS GETS RARE START

Bill Amis had to do a bit of a double-take when his name was called for the starting lineup against San Diego last Friday.

The 6-9 forward, who is in his first season with the 'Bows, was a "sixth man" throughout high school and last season as a freshman at Pratt Community College (Kan.).

"I started two games last year," he said. "But not the season opener. I was a little surprised, but I was ready. I had a little bit of nerves, but once we started warming up, I was fine."

Amis said his experience as a reserve prepared him for his debut with Hawai'i.

"I'm used to being ready to play at any time," he said. "I feel like whenever my name is called, I can come in and bring energy."

Amis finished with six points, six rebounds and a blocked shot in 20 minutes against San Diego.

LATE TIPOFF FRIDAY

Friday's game against Illinois is scheduled to start at 8:05 p.m. because the UH women's team will play Washington at 5 p.m.

The undefeated Hawai'i football team is also scheduled to play a road game at Nevada that night on ESPN2. The football game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., and will likely affect attendance for the basketball games.

Bob Nash said Friday night was the only time Illinois was willing to play Hawai'i.

The Fighting Illini are scheduled to play in the EA Sports Maui Invitational Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We tried everything we could to move the game and not conflict with any other sports," Nash said. "But Illinois could only commit to that one date because they're going to Maui, and so we agreed."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.