It's still early in the Western Athletic Conference season, but the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team and its opponent tonight — San Jose State — already are being offered second chances.

The Rainbow Warriors will host the Spartans at the Stan Sheriff Center. It will be the second meeting in nine days between the teams.

Hawai'i defeated the Spartans, 85-79, on Jan. 5 at San Jose, Calif.

"The WAC made the schedule, and I guess this is how it fits in," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "In terms of preparation, their stuff is fresh in our mind, so that's a good thing. But our stuff has to be fresh in their mind as well, so that's not such a good thing."

The 'Bows are 5-10 overall and 1-2 in the WAC. The Spartans are 8-7 and 1-2.

After tonight, each team will play 12 more WAC games.

"I know the WAC has issues in terms of creating a balanced schedule, but this is strange," San Jose State head coach George Nessman said. "I don't see it as an advantage one way or another. It's just very strange to see a team so soon again in the conference."

But a lot has happened since the last meeting.

Most notable, the Spartans are coming off a 62-60 upset of Nevada last Thursday. Nevada then came to Honolulu and beat the 'Bows, 77-59, on Saturday.

"Things like that happen in the WAC all the time," Hawai'i senior forward P.J. Owsley said. "We just have to make sure we stay together and play like we did at San Jose, and not the way we did against Nevada."

The 'Bows shot 37.5 percent from the field against Nevada, and got season-worst performances from Bobby Nash, Riley Luettgerodt and Jared Dillinger.

"I don't think I've ever seen that before," Owsley said. "I hope that was the one night for that. I don't think it's going to happen again, where everybody is off."

Hawai'i has won 10 consecutive games against San Jose State, a streak dating to 2004.

But this season's Spartans are much improved as part of a rebuilding project by Nessman. The eight victories this season are already more than they had in any of the previous four seasons.

"For us to beat a program the stature of Nevada is a good step up," Nessman said. "But Hawai'i really outplayed us the last time, so we still need to improve. We're young, so there's been good moments during the year and some really shaky moments."

SJSU is led by freshman point guard Justin Graham, who is averaging 12.7 points per game. He scored 29 in the loss to Hawai'i.

"We can't allow him to score like that again," Bob Nash said. "We need to step up our defense, and hopefully, our shooters will find their rhythm again."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.