By Rob Miech · July 25, 2008 · 12 PM

Between meetings with his assistant coaches and canvassing the rich prep-tournament scene in and around Las Vegas – oh, and that trip to Australia – Lon Kruger has had a busy summer.

Kruger ducked out of a meeting late Friday morning to confirm he heard that ESPN would release its top 10 basketball programs of the past 24 years -- since the NCAA tournament has been comprised of 64 teams -- today.

He beamed when he was told the Rebels checked in at No. 8.

“I assumed we’d be in there,” Kruger said. “It’s great news. I think it's recognition of the history and tradition and success. That’s always good.”

The poll factored in national championships, Final Four and Sweet 16 appearances, tournament victories, 30-win seasons and other characteristics of winning programs.

Duke led the poll with 538 points. North Carolina (454), Kansas (450), Kentucky (378) and Arizona (338) rounded out the top five.

Connecticut (292) and UCLA (272) preceded UNLV’s 239 points. Syracuse (238) and Georgetown (230) were ninth and 10th, respectively.

Three tournaments end this weekend, and another starts next week. When that ends, Kruger and his staff will keep hustling when they conduct a UNLV summer camp Aug. 4-6.

The three age-group sessions will be 9 a.m.-noon (ages 8-10), 1 p.m.-4 p.m. (ages 11-13) and 6 p.m.-9 p.m. (ages 14-18).

“We’ll have a great time,” Kruger said. “We’ll play a lot of basketball in a short amount of time. They will learn the fundamentals and, hopefully, take that into their fall or winter season.”

The cost is $150. Registration ends Aug. 2. For more information or to register, visit UNLVBasketballCamp.com or call 702-895-3295.