Rebels under the gun in Shootout tourney

Steve Carp

Friday, Dec. 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

It's still only mid-December and while there have been back-to-back losses, the UNLV basketball team is 4-2.

But there's no getting around it. Saturday's nationally televised game with Tulane is crucial to the Rebels' season.

Still reeling from Wednesday's 78-57 rout at Syracuse, Bill Bayno's team gets a chance for redemption before the entire nation on ESPN. But a lot is going to have to change quickly if redemption is to be found in the inaugural Las Vegas Shootout at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Rebels have to maintain their defensive intensity. They have to do a better job on the perimeter and not let the opposition cast off for open 3-point shots.

And someone, anyone, has to start finding the range offensively beyond the free-throw line. Getting putback baskets and rim-rattling dunks from Keon Clark isn't enough.

"This is a huge game for us," said forward Warren Rosegreen. "I think we got a little shook up at Syracuse and we need to get our confidence back."

The Rebels weren't just shaken by the 21-point blowout at the hands of the Orangemen. They were stunned. Their locker room at the Carrier Dome resembled a morgue. Those whose faces weren't buried in their hands were wearing exasperated looks.

"We didn't expect to lose by 20 points," said Sunshine Smith, the team's leading scorer who was limited to just seven first-half points while being plagued with foul trouble. "Everyone was kind of shocked. But I think coming home off this road trip will help us. We'll have the crowd behind us to get us going."

UNLV's first junket away from the Thomas & Mack resulted in a 1-2 trip. The Rebels rallied to beat a poor UC Irvine team, but got boatraced in the first half in losses to Nevada-Reno and Syracuse.

"It seems we start out slow and we're running uphill," said forward Tyrone Nesby. "We've got to start quicker and maintain it. That's the key.

"I'm trying to establish myself early. But I've got to go by the rules."

In Bayno's system, that means taking good shots, being patient and attacking the basket.

After surrendering eight treys in the first half to Syracuse, UNLV did a better job guarding the perimeter. But the Orangemen attacked down low, going inside to Otis Hill, who finished with 19 points after being limited to just four in the first half.

"We've just got to get out there and get after it," said Nesby. "Being at home will get us focused."

Guard Mark Dickel said the Rebels must maintain continuity.

"We just haven't had a game where we've been consistent from start to finish," he said. "We've just got to start playing better as a team."

And as individuals. Damian Smith has missed 22 straight field goal attempts. Nesby is struggling to get his offensive game on track as he makes the adjustment from junior college to Division I. Clark has only played two-plus games and he's still learning despite the big 20-point, 10-rebound, 4-blocked shot effort Wednesday.

And Dickel, who took his lumps against Syracuse's Jason Hart, knows he has to pick it up.

"I'm more frustrated in myself than anything," he said. "I have high expectations and right now, I'm not meeting them. I've got to play better."

All of the talk gives a sense of urgency for UNLV going into the Tulane contest. The Green Wave (5-4), which beat Centenary 97-74 Thursday night, arrives today and the Rebels will have to deal with 6-9 forward Jerald Honeycutt, an all-America candidate who averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds as a junior last season.

"It's going to be a lot like the Miami game," Bayno said of the Tulane matchup. "They're very athletic. Honeycutt's a great player and we have to be aware of where he is on the court at all times.

"I think the guys were hurt by what happened the other night. This will be a good test for us and we need to respond. Hopefully, being back at home will help us."

Hoop du jour

* LATE TIPOFF: Saturday's game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. instead of the usual 7:35 to accommodate ESPN, which will televise the game live and will be shown in Las Vegas. The opening game of the made-for-TV doubleheader between Fresno State and Texas Tech tips at 7 and will be shown on ESPN2. ... Ticket sales reportedly have picked up after lagging for several weeks. More than 700 Fresno State fans are coming to town to be on hand for Jerry Tarkanian's return to coaching in Las Vegas. Between 14,000-15,000 are expected, which isn't bad, considering the doubleheader was not made a part of the UNLV season ticket package.

* SECOND TIME AROUND: Saturday's meeting with Tulane is the second between the two schools. In the lone contest, the Green Wave defeated the Rebels 56-51 in the second round of the NIT in 1982. ... The Tulane contest kicks off a four-game homestand for the Rebels. UNLV hosts Southern Utah Monday, Southern Cal Dec. 28 and Northern Arizona Dec. 30. ... UNLV averaged 13,043 fans for its first four home games.