To keep the votes coming, the Hawaii basketball team will have to keep the wins going — on the road and possibly without its leading scorer.

Aaron Valdes wore a protective boot on his right foot while observing Monday night’s practice, several hours after the Rainbow Warriors (13-2, 2-0 Big West) learned they received votes in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls for the first time in a decade.

“It was cool. Dope to see we’re finally getting recognized by national media,” forward Stefan Jankovic said.

UH had four points in the AP poll and a single point in the coaches — not yet enough for an actual ranking.

“We can’t be content with it,” co-captain Quincy Smith said. “We gotta keep pushing and see how far we can get our names on that ranking.”

The team’s excitement was tempered by the nebulous injury to Valdes, a fourth-year junior averaging 15.9 points before he limped off early in Saturday’s 65-57 win over UC Santa Barbara.

It’s been described as a turf toe sprain. UH has sought multiple opinions on Valdes’ MRI and has not provided a timetable for his return. Coach Eran Ganot described it as “still wait and see.”

“Honestly he’s one of our better players, but we’re a deep team,” Jankovic said. “Guys will just step up. It’s been like that all year. Some games, I haven’t had a good game, Rod (Bobbitt) hasn’t had a good game, Q, A.V., Mike (Thomas). It rotates through our starting five and to our bench. Isaac (Fleming) too. So we’re not worried.”

UH departs today for its first Big West road games, at UC Riverside (9-9, 0-2) on Thursday and at Cal State Fullerton (8-7, 1-1) on Saturday.

“We got one of our guys down, but you know, that doesn’t change anything,” Smith said. “I just think everybody has to go a little harder, try a little bit more and put more effort in on all parts of their game. Defense, offense, rebounding, communication, leadership. Everybody’s just gotta step up a little bit and we just continue to do what we do.”

UH’s only two losses to this point have come against Big 12 teams Texas Tech and now-No. 2 Oklahoma.

UH’s vote count is 35th highest in the AP Poll and tied for 39th in the coaches. The last time UH cracked the Top 25 was near the end of the 2001-02 season, its winningest campaign at 27-6.

That was also the last time UH made the NCAA Tournament, although these Rainbows are off to their best start through 15 games since.

“I always think preseason and midseason stuff, it’s nice to be recognized,” Ganot said. “There’s a balance there as we continue to earn and fight for respect locally and nationally. … It’s a long season and we’re basically halfway. We’ve got to get better and keep working.”

UH last received votes (but were not ranked) in the polls for a three-week period early in the 2005-06 season, after the Rainbows stunned No. 4 Michigan State 84-62.