By Rob Miech · November 10, 2008 · 10:58 PM

The University of San Diego likely will be short-handed when it plays UNLV in the basketball season opener for both Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Toreros coach Bill Grier has indefinitely suspended 6-foot-8 senior forward Gyno Pomare and reserve forward Clinton Houston, although both are still practicing with the squad.

Grier told the San Diego Union-Tribune that they were suspended for unrelated violations of team rules.

Pomare, a back-to-back West Coast Conference first-team selection, averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.

He had 23 points and 10 boards in a 66-55 loss to UNLV at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The Toreros, who beat Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA tournament, finished 22-14.

Roberto Mafra, a 6-9, 235-pound junior from Brazil, scored 21 points in USD’s tight exhibition victory over Cal State Los Angeles on Saturday.

UNLV went 27-8 last season, beating Kent State in the first round of the NCAAs, and bolstered its front line considerably in the offseason.

Darris Santee, a 6-8 power forward who won an NJCAA national championship at Midland College in Texas, will start at center for the Rebels.

Seven-footer Beas Hamga and 6-10 Brice Massamba will spell Santee.

Saturday’s game will tip off at 2:30 p.m.