GETTING INSIDE
There’s no disputing that UNLV has had an impressive nonconference slate. But a Christmas night loss to USC raised concerns.
It was just the second loss for the Rebels (12-2) but it also was the second time UNLV looked really, really bad while losing.
USC frustrated the Rebels 67-56 in the Diamond Head Classic championship game, holding UNLV to 34.0 percent shooting and forcing the Rebels into 15 turnovers.
The loss to USC ended a five-game winning streak that began after UNLV played poorly in a 95-80 loss to Kansas State on Dec. 12.
On the other hand, the record is better than expected for a squad that was incorporating transfers Derrick Jasper and Chace Stanback into the mix.
“A disappointing way to finish (nonconference) but whatever we are, 12-2, you go back to Oct. 15, and it’s not just the record, but we’ve made a lot of progress,” coach Lon Kruger told the Las Vegas Sun. “We started to shoot the ball better, started to do some things better, and this game aside, I think we’ve established a foundation from which we can build—and need to.”
The Rebels now get an 11-day break between games before opening Mountain West Conference play against preseason conference favorite Brigham Young on Jan. 6.
NOTES, QUOTES
• UNLV is holding opponents to 39.6 percent shooting, a necessary ingredient in a conference in which there will be several top-flight defensive teams. In fact, the Rebels are one of four Mountain West teams holding opponents under 40 percent from the field.
• The Rebels lead the Mountain West Conference with a plus-6.0 turnover margin. Sophomore G Oscar Bellfield has been the biggest reason for that margin and his assist-to-turnover ratio (54-to-28) is fourth best in the conference.
January At A Glance: UNLV can mix and match well with a deep rotation that includes 11 players. The Rebels have several offensive options but need to build more consistency and get the ball to players at spots on the floor where they are most comfortable. The Rebels have a lot of potential to improve on offense.
Quote To Note: “I thought he had his hop back (against Hawaii). It showed when he went in, knocked down a couple of shots and had some bounce to his step. I thought more so than the previous games, he was closer to 100 percent and that was good to see.”—UNLV coach Lon Kruger, in the Las Vegas Sun, on Tre’Von Willis’ progress from an ankle injury.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: UNLV has played steady defense and taken good care of the basketball, and that has helped make up for inconsistent shooting. None of the Rebels’ starters is shooting 50 percent, and the 3-point shooting (30.1 percent) has been woeful. Playing team offense and penetrating for free throws is the preferred method for UNLV to produce points.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—F Chace Stanback, C Matt Shaw, G Tre’Von Willis, G Oscar Bellfield, PG Derrick Jasper. Key Subs—C Brice Massamba, G Justin Hawkins, G Anthony Marshall, F/C Darris Santee, G Kendall Wallace, G Steve Jones.
Game Review:
Unlv 67, S outhern Methodist 53
Unlv 77, H awaii 53
Usc 67, Unlv 56
Game Preview:
at Brigham Young, Wednesday, Jan. 6
at New Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9
vs. San Diego State, Wednesday, Jan. 13
vs. Utah, Saturday, Jan. 16
at Colorado State, Wednesday, Jan. 20
In Focus: The Rebels will be well-rested for the start of Mountain West Conference play after an 11-day break, but will they be rusty when they visit Brigham Young in the tough Marriott Center in Provo, Utah? The game with the Cougars is followed by a visit to New Mexico and the raucous atmosphere of The Pit. A third tough game to start conference play follows when the Rebels host San Diego State.
Roster Report:
• Junior G Tre’Von Willis is close to being recovered from an ankle injury that caused him to miss a game against South Carolina Upstate and reduced his minutes in the Diamond Head Classic. Willis played just 12 minutes against Hawaii on Dec. 23 with the Rebels comfortably winning.
• Sophomore F Chase Stanback appeared to be rounding into form with five consecutive double-digit performances but then quickly regressed by scoring just 11 total points in back-to-back games to Hawaii (seven) and USC (four).
