A short-handed Hawaii men's basketball team looks to improve tonight in its second and final exhibition of the season.

When the host Rainbow Warriors tip off against Chaminade at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center, it'll be their last chance to test themselves in a friendly game before regular-season play opens against San Francisco next Friday.

But Hawaii—which edged another Division II team, Hawaii-Hilo, 72-70 on Sunday—will be at less than full strength against an opponent picked to finish ahead of the Vulcans in the PacWest.

“;I think we were able to get a lot of work done in a couple of days. We spent a lot of time on the offense to make sure we get our spacing, our angles, to run the offense a little bit more and not getting hurried shots,”; Hawaii coach Bob Nash said. “;Get a little deeper into the shot clock before we launch a shot that not everybody's expecting.”;

Transfer forward Roderick Flemings will miss his second exhibition, as he remains in Dallas for his grandfather's funeral. Fellow JC transfer Brandon Adams has a paperwork issue and doesn't anticipate being cleared to play in games until at least Monday. Hiram Thompson and Conrad Fitzgerald might not play because of a nagging hamstring and a fractured nose, respectively. If Fitzgerald plays, he will wear a protective mask.

Nash has resolved not to use the team's depleted status as a crutch.

“;It is what it is,”; he said. “;We consider it a chance for some of the younger guys to get some playing time. We'll just go at it from that angle.”;

Don't expect any sympathy from Chaminade coach Matt Mahar. The Silverswords have operated much of the preseason with only eight players and haven't been able to run 5-on-5 drills in practice.

“;It's a good opportunity for our guys to get out there and really see where we are as a team,”; Mahar said. “;There's a light at the end of the tunnel, now, I think, when you're approaching your first game ... we're just happy to play someone else.”;

Patrick Collier, the 'Swords' only active returnee, was projected to miss some time with a torn meniscus, but Mahar said yesterday the guard is well enough to play. The capable shooter brings Chaminade—picked to finish second in the PacWest—up to full strength at nine players.

The defending league champion 'Swords went 21-8 overall and 15-3 in conference play last year. Though Chaminade has seven newcomers, it is considered to be potent with three Division I transfers among them. Guard Joel Smith (Washington), 6-foot-6 forward Shane Hanson (UC Davis) and 6-8 center Mohamed Tangara (Arizona) bring experience to the table. Freshman center Chris Smith (6-10) adds to a formidable front line.

Against Hilo, Hawaii looked to exploit a significant height advantage in the post. Forward Paul Campbell went 3-for-3 off the bench against the Vulcans, but the junior thought the 'Bows' energy was lacking. The team barely shot 40 percent.

“;As a team we just want to come out and play hard,”; Campbell said. “;We feel like we did the crowd, the people of Hawaii an injustice for the way we played last week. That was embarrassing. We don't want to do that again.”;

“;We're treating it like it's a regular game and I'm sure Chaminade is too,”; forward Bill Amis said.

Chaminade opens up its annual EA Sports Maui Invitational against top-ranked North Carolina on Nov. 24.

Hawaii and Chaminade last met in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational in the 2003-04 season. The Rainbows won 68-54.