The status quo became the static quo, so UH coach Gib Arnold decided some movement was in order for the Hawaii men’s basketball team.

Coming off a disappointing road trip, the Rainbow Warriors (2-4) seek to distance themselves from their recent struggles when they host UC Davis at 5 p.m. today at the Stan Sheriff Center.

No player, from captain to walk-on, was immune from a talent shake-up during practices this week. Arnold experimented with a number of lineup combinations that made established niches obsolete.

He declined to name his starting five for the Aggies, as usual, but hinted at something new.

"Once guys start feeling, ‘I’m a starter, so I can act like a starter’ and take plays off … ," Arnold said. "You play how you practice. I’m going to play the five guys who give me the most effort and play together as a team."

Shooting percentages, with the exception of junior forward Joston Thomas, have plummeted among the ‘Bows as UH has lost four of its last five games overall. Captains Zane Johnson (33.8 percent shooting) and Vander Joaquim (41.3) haven’t found their touch. Both captains offered to take responsibility for the road losses at Pepperdine and Pacific over the past eight days.

A big reason for the struggles: ball movement, or lack thereof.

"The key is this: Give up a good shot for a great shot," Arnold said. "We got guys who’ve shot good shots, but we haven’t shot a high percentage. We need to shoot the great shots. The great shot is 3 feet and in, the great shot is a 3-pointer uncontested after the ball has gone inside."

An area of particular interest will be at point guard, where football pick-up Miah Ostrowski — the eventual starter at the position last season — has joined the mix with freshman Shaquille Stokes (11.5 ppg, albeit on 30.9 percent shooting) and sophomore Bobby Miles (1.5 assist/turnover ratio). UH will likely use all three in some capacity against UCD.

Miles welcomed the new look and competition.

"It’s fun, because now we can put two point guards in every substitution. We’re going. We’re flying at them, we’ll be more aggressive," he said.

While early-season struggles are something new under Arnold, UCD (1-7) has taken its lumps ever since transitioning to a full Division I member in 2007. This is the program’s first trip to Hawaii.

Les could prove to be more for another future UH opponent in the Big West Conference — the third the ‘Bows have faced this year. First-year Aggies coach Jim Les — a seven-year guard with the Utah Jazz, L.A. Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks in the late 1980s to the mid ’90s — made good on his contacts to recruit three sons of NBA pros. They are his son, guard Tyler Les; guard Tyrell Corbin (son of Tyrone Corbin) and guard Corey Hawkins (Hersey Hawkins).

"I’ve been fortunate enough to have some good relationships over the course of my life and my playing career," Les said. "We’re a work in progress. Just trying to mold this young group together to get them used to a new system and a new voice and a new way of doing things. We’re excited about the challenge to play a good Hawaii team."

UH beat UCD 83-69 in last season’s ESPNU BracketBusters contest in Davis, Calif., in February. Johnson poured in a career-high 32 points on the Aggies, including a binge of nine 3-pointers. He’s averaging a team-high 14.8 points this season.

In the mandated BracketBusters return game, the Aggies hope to return the favor from long range. They lead the Big West with 8.6 baskets per game from deep, good for 23rd nationally. Forward Josh Ritchart leads the way with 14.9 points per game and 41.7 percent 3-point shooting.

UH expects UCD to employ heavy zone along with 3-point bombs from anyone on the Aggies’ roster, including their big men.

Today’s contest kicks off a nine-game stretch of in-state games for the Rainbow Warriors through the new year.