On what is often called the busiest shopping day of the year, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got a much-needed welcome back gift yesterday in the form of Matt Gibson.

The 6-foot-5 senior point guard practiced yesterday for the first time since injuring his left knee during a practice on Nov. 7.

Gibson, who started for the Rainbow Warriors as a sophomore and junior, sat out the first four games of this season, and did not even travel with the team during an 89-60 loss at New Mexico on Wednesday.

"This is the first day I went full speed, so I was a little timid in my own mind," Gibson said after yesterday's practice. "But my leg feels good. I'm ready to go.

"I'm glad my body feels tired right now. I was excited for this practice today."

Hawai'i is scheduled to host Coppin State Tuesday, and head coach Bob Nash said he is not sure what Gibson's role will be.

"We'll just monitor the next few days, make sure there is no soreness or swelling of any sort and see how it goes for Tuesday," Nash said.

Nash noted that the 'Bows have installed several new schemes on offense and defense while Gibson was not cleared to practice. He also said Gibson needs to regain his conditioning before regaining his starting role.

"We put in a lot of different things and done a lot of different things since he's been gone, so he's got to catch up to us," Nash said. "He's missed four games and the guys who have been here have done a good job, so I'm not going to make that call (on Gibson's role) until I evaluate the next three days."

Gibson averaged 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists as the starting point guard last season. He was projected to start the season opener this season before injuring his knee two days before the 'Bows played San Diego.

Hawai'i is 1-3 in Gibson's absence, including two home losses by a combined three points.

"It was real hard, especially in close losses like that where I feel like I could have made a difference," Gibson said.

Without Gibson, the 'Bows have been using a lineup of Jared Dillinger and Riley Luettgerodt at guards, Bobby Nash and Bill Amis at forwards, and Stephen Verwers at center.

Nash, Dillinger and Luett-gerodt have been sharing point guard duties, along with freshman backup Kareem Nitoto.

"Not having (Gibson) these last four games has taken away some of our firepower," Nash said. "Bobby had to be a little more aggressive offensively; Riley had to step up a little more. Now we can share the load a little more."

Gibson described his knee as "75 to 80 percent," and practiced with a brace on it yesterday. He said it is the first time that his knee has been injured.

"You never know when an injury like that can happen," he said. "I've never had one before in 23 years, so it was kind of a scary thing."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.