Appropriate for Black Friday, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will use a reduced lineup to try and make up for its previous losses.

The Rainbow Warriors will be without starting guard Dwain Williams when they host former Western Athletic Conference foe New Mexico tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The game will start at 8:05 p.m. — an hour later than usual because the Hawai'i women's basketball team will host Arizona State at 5 p.m.

"We lost our last two games, so we know that winning this game is important for us," senior center Paul Campbell said. "This is a good New Mexico team coming in, but we're still confident."

The Rainbow Warriors are 2-2 after dropping two games last week.

In what has become a familiar theme this season, the 'Bows will have to improvise without another key player.

Williams has missed practices all week, and will not be in uniform tonight.

"He hasn't been feeling well and there are other issues," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "But if you don't practice the whole week, you can't expect to play."

Williams, who has started all four games this season, is averaging 13.3 points and 2.0 assists per game. He went scoreless in Hawai'i's last game — an 83-65 loss to Brigham Young.

"If we have to go with a short roster, we'll work our butts off to be successful with a short roster," Nash said. "We'll go with who ever is available."

Senior Adhar Mayen or junior Jeremy Lay will move into the starting lineup to replace Williams.

The 'Bows will continue to be without post players Bill Amis (injured foot) and Douglas Kurtz (NCAA suspension).

"I don't want to say we're used to it, because we know we're a better team with everybody healthy," Campbell said. "But when guys go down, others have to step up and we're ready to do that."

The 'Bows will need the entire roster to step up against a New Mexico team that is 5-0, including victories over current WAC teams New Mexico State (97-87) and Louisiana Tech (81-52).

"They have some very good shooters, they're long and athletic," Nash said of the Lobos. "They're kind of undersized, but they're best when they get in a transition game."

New Mexico is averaging 82.6 points per game and rank among the top 20 in the country with 44 3-pointers.

"We're awfully young — one of the younger teams in the country," New Mexico head coach Steve Alford said. "But our guys are learning and getting better each week, and I think that's what has allowed us to improve with each game."

New Mexico's top player is Darrington Hobson, a 6-foot-7 junior who is averaging 17.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

"He plays just about everywhere for us," Alford said. "He's got a 3-point game, he's got a post game, he can drive it, he's got good length. He's a tough matchup for anybody."

He will likely be matched up against Hawai'i's best player — 6-7 senior Roderick Flemings. He leads the 'Bows with 15.3 points per game and is also grabbing 8.0 rebounds per game.

The 'Bows lost twice to the Lobos in the 2007-08 season, including a 78-68 loss at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Amis, Campbell and Mayen all saw action for the 'Bows in those games.

"They have different personnel, but they still run a lot of the same stuff," Campbell said of the Lobos. "We have to be ready because they have a lot of shooters."