Being home for a few days has found the University of Hawaii Wahine trying to take care of business other than basketball.

"The ladies are trying to catch up with school and get ahead in school," UH head coach Vince Goo said. "We looked tired in practice Tuesday and I think it's because of all the other things they've had to think about. Yesterday's practice was much better."

Nani Cockett's sprained left ankle has responded to treatment enabling her to practice, but is still not 100 percent. There are no other injuries of note to report.

The idea of another road trip shortly after finishing a 20-day regular-season ending trek doesn't bother the Wahine.

"They know if they lose, they are going to be home for a very long time," Goo said.

"They want to go as far as they can. We're telling them to enjoy the experience. Make it a fun thing, a memorable thing. Not very many people get this chance."

THE ROUTINE: Everything was normal this morning as the Wahine held a 6:30 practice, then left on a 10:30 flight to the West Coast.

"That's the worst thing about road trips, that early morning practice," Goo said.

RANKINGS: Hawaii is No. 20 in the latest Associated Press poll and 19th in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Arkansas is 35th and tied for 48th, respectively. The Lady Razorbacks were 13th in the last Collegiate Basketball News Co. Rating Percentage Index, the Wahine No. 18.

ONCE BEFORE: Head coach Gary Blair brought his first Arkansas team to Hawaii to play the Wahine in Klum Gym during the 1993-94 season. Cockett, a freshman, scored eight points and had three assists coming off the bench for the Wahine, who won 88-58.

THE COACHES: Goo is 224-96 (.700) in his 11th season at UH. Blair is 95-54 (.638) in his fifth season at Arkansas and 305-97 (.759) in his 13th season overall. Blair holds a 2-1 edge on Goo in coaching matchups with the victories coming when Blair was at Stephen F. Austin.

BACK AGAIN: Stanford has the most NCAA tournament appearances of the four schools participating in the West Regional. The Cardinal are making their 12th trip. Arkansas is in for the sixth time, Hawaii for the fifth and Harvard for the third.

CAKE AND CANDLES: Wahine backup point guard Maj Forsberg celebrated her 23rd birthday yesterday. Unfortunately, her Wahine teammates weren't able to sing Happy Birthday in Danish to the Horsholm, Denmark native.