Rope the wind. Grasp a handful of water. Solve Cal State Fullerton’s confounding spread offense and quick pace.

The Hawaii basketball team faces a complex challenge in tonight’s Big West Conference opener in the Stan Sheriff Center.

CSUF is an uncomfortable matchup, despite a 4-10 nonconference record that has been deemed the seventh toughest among 353 Division I schools. The Titans’ 10 losses were against opponents with a combined 105-40 record.

“They’re probably the best team we’ll play in transition, and they’re really good in isolation situations,” said John Montgomery, who coordinates the Rainbow Warriors’ scouting and defense. “I think they’re really good. We definitely respect them. It’s going to be a battle.”

The Titans have a 1-2-3 backcourt combo with Kyle Allman Jr., (18.5 points per game), Khalil Ahmad (18.2) and Austen Awosika (4.1 assists per game).

The Titans’ choice of poison is to spread the offense to create one-on-one situations. Allman can score from deep (37.5 percent on 3-point attempts) and on contact off drives (77 free throws). In last season’s game in the Sheriff Center, Allman scored 40 points.

“You want to make the adjustment and not let that happen again,” UH guard Drew Buggs said of Allman’s performance. “That game’s in the past. We can’t come in here and think about what happened last year.”

Following a closer-than-expected victory over UH Hilo in December, UH coach Eran Ganot expressed concern about the ’Bows’ defensive lapses at the point of attack and on back-side rotations. Emphasizing the mantra of “chip away,” Ganot said, “We’ve made the jump” since the Hilo game.

Wing guard Eddie Stansberry, who is averaging 15.4 points since becoming a starter, has become a more attentive man-to-man defender. Stansberry, who is 6 feet 3, usually guards the 2 or 3. Buggs, also 6-3, picks up the 1, 2 or 3. Sheriff Drammeh, who has come back from a one-game suspension and health issues, is an active defender who can guard the point and wing. In the past five games, post player Zigmars Raimo is averaging 9.0 rebounds. In the past three games, forward Jack Purchase is averaging 6.7 defensive rebounds.

The ’Bows will have to control the boards to slow the Titans’ transition game. The Titans are averaging 13.2 fast-break points per game. They can accelerate the offense when the 6-foot-3 Ahmad slides from guard to the 4, creating a smaller and quicker lineup. The Titans can expand their menu because 6-7 Jackson Rowe (7.2 rebounds per game) and post players Johnny Wang and Josh Pitts are limited-scoring options focused on setting screens or protecting the rim.

The ’Bows, meanwhile, are starting to develop an offensive rhythm. Raimo, who has not attempted a shot longer than a free throw this year, has mastered cut-catch-and-scoop moves in the low post. He has connected on 57 percent of his shots, third best among Big West players.

“Zigmars has embraced his role of what shots he needs to take and how he can be effective,” said Adam Jacobsen, UH’s associate head coach. “Zigmars is a smart player, and he’s tough. You can win with smart, tough players.”

Buggs has expanded his game. After converting four of 19 3-point attempts in the first nine games, Buggs has hit seven of 13 treys in the five games thereafter.

“Drew has been shooting great from 3,” Jacobsen said. “You can argue Drew is the best passer in the league. Drew is a good offensive rebounder, and he can post. He’s a different guard in the way he plays and can affect a game. He’s got to be able not to hunt 3s but take good-percentage (3s). He’s learning to do that, and it’s helping our team.”