LAS CRUCES, N.M.—The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is living the suite life this week.

While preparing for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the Rainbow Warriors have been staying at the Staybridge Suites.

"It's sweet; by far the nicest place we've ever stayed at on the road," senior forward P.J. Owsley said. "It's like living in a luxury apartment."

Ideally, the 'Bows would like to keep their rooms booked through the weekend.

Hawai'i will face Boise State in a quarterfinal game of the WAC Tournament tomorrow at the Pan American Center. It is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. (Hawai'i time), and will be broadcast on KFVE television and ESPN 1420 radio.

The 'Bows are 11-18 overall and the No. 5 seed at 7-9 in WAC games. The Broncos are 22-8 overall and the No. 4 seed at 12-4.

The tournament will follow a single-elimination format, and the champion must win three games in as many days to earn the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

WAC officials assigned each team to a different hotel, and the 'Bows were pleasantly surprised with their accommodations.

Each suite features a living room area, kitchen — complete with a full-size refrigerator, stove and microwave oven — and two separate bedrooms.

One bedroom has two twin-sized beds, the other bedroom has one king-sized bed. The big beds are being occupied by seniors.

Owsley got one of the king beds even though he is rooming with fellow seniors Riley Luettgerodt and Jared Dillinger.

"Actually, I've been known to snore, so I think the guys wanted to give it to me," Owsley said. "I'll take it. Comfortable bed, my own bathroom. I don't get that anywhere."

Sophomore forward Bill Amis — who is 6 feet 9 — was hoping to get a king bed, but had to settle for a twin in deference to senior Matt Gibson.

"I'm the bigger person so I should get it," Amis said with a laugh. "That's OK. But I better get the big bed next year."

Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said the Staybridge Suites "has all the comforts of home," which has made for a pleasant stay in Las Cruces. The 'Bows have been in the city since Saturday.

"With a refrigerator, stove, microwave, the guys can go out and pick up stuff that they like to eat and have it right there in the room," Nash said. "Since we're here for such a long period, we might as well make it like home."

When not enjoying the suites, the 'Bows have been either practicing or studying. And not much else.

"We haven't really seen anything here," sophomore Adhar Mayen said. "We've been busy doing homework, in study hall, and then we go to practice. By the time we're done, it's just rest."

That is exactly how Nash likes it. He allowed the players to go to the movies last night, but they had to be back at the hotel right after.

"This time of year, all the guys should be worrying about is basketball and school," Nash said. "We're not here on vacation."

PRODUCTIVE PRACTICES

The 'Bows have practiced the last two days at Onate High School in Las Cruces because practice times are limited at the Pan American Center.

Around 50 Onate students gathered in the gym to watch yesterday.

"The people at Onate have been great to us," Nash said. "We can come in here and get a good workout and not have to worry about the next team coming in (for practice)."

Hawai'i will get to work out at the Pan American Center's practice gym today.

SCOUTING THE BRONCOS

The extra time in Las Cruces has given the 'Bows extra time to prepare for Boise State.

The Broncos defeated Hawai'i twice this season, including a 78-71 win in Honolulu on March 1.

"We usually get one day to get ready for a team when we're on the road," senior guard Jared Dillinger said. "But we've been going over Boise's stuff for a couple of days now, and that's only going to help us."

GOLDEN TOUCH?

Nash is keeping a Hawai'i basketball tradition alive by taking the team to the Golden Corral restaurant for road meals.

The 'Bows have already had two meals there on this trip, and could be in for more.

"I love the Golden Corral," senior forward Bobby Nash said. "Chicken, collard greens and cornbread. That's my favorite. I get like four plates."

The Golden Corral offers all-you-can-eat American buffet for around $10.

The tradition was started several years ago by former coach Riley Wallace, who thought it brought luck to the 'Bows.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.