Rebels pop from outside

THE NUMBERS: USDBL was led by Pervarius Green's 19 points. Former Pitt star Jerry McCullough added 15. USDBL shot 42 percent from the field and was 7 of 21 from 3-point land. UNLV sh

Monday, Nov. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Remember the good old days when UNLV always had a mad bomber who could bust a zone without breaking a sweat?

Remember when Freddie Banks, Gerald Paddio, Anderson Hunt, Dexter Boney and J.R. Rider could shred a defense with a flick of the wrist?

It's not a nostalgia kick, but those days are back at the Thomas & Mack Center.

There's a concerted effort by Bill Bayno to get a consistent perimeter game going. And not just to take the pressure off junior center Keon Clark. UNLV has people who can fill it up from outside and as long as Damian Smith, Tyrone Nesby, Corky Ausborne and Donovan Stewart aren't trying to imitate former NBA gunner World B. Free, they've got the green light from Bayno to let it fly.

That kind of confidence inspired the Rebels' 44 percent shooting from 3-point land in Sunday's 99-86 win over USDBL-AAU in front of an announced crowd of 10,882. The treys came in streaks, but the chances were not forced. Nesby's 18 points and Smith's 12 were a nice complement to Clark's team-high 19 and Tony Lane's 17 points inside.

"We're going to be a tough team to defend," said Smith, playing with as much confidence as ever following knee surgery a year ago. "They have to respect our inside game with Keon, Tony and Eric (Lee) and we're getting great looks from outside."

Smith said he doesn't feel any pressure to knock down those shots because he knows his teammates won't give up on him if the first couple don't fall.

"I like to get a feel for it early," he said. "But the way we're pushing the ball, you're going to get open looks."

Bayno wants Mark Dickel hustling the ball into the frontcourt and looking inside first. And when the teams invariably collapse on the big guys, the perimeter players should be in position to fire.

"We should be able to get shots off the double team," he said. "If our 'two' and 'three' men get to their spots, Dickel's going to get them the ball."

Dickel had nine assists Sunday after starting slowly with just one dish in the first half. But as the game went on, he settled down and got the ball to the right people in the right spots.

"Last year, we didn't have any shooters and we couldn't get anyone open," Bayno said. "This year, we've got the people who can shoot it and I want Tyrone, Damian, Corky and Donovan to shoot when they're open.

"Our first priority is to get it down low to the big guys. Tony was 5-for-5 to start and we want to establish ourselves inside. But they know when they're doubled, they have someone to kick it out to."

The establishment of a legitimate inside-outside game will be crucial to UNLV's development. And that's why Bayno wanted Nesby, who started and played 21 minutes, along with Smith, who played 18, to get involved in the offense early.

"I think we're making a conscious effort to find our shooters and let them shoot," he said.

Smith says that's great.

"We've got guys who can shoot it and when you're part of the offense, it makes it easier to play," he said.

Sunday, it sometimes looked too easy.

Hoop du jour

* SUNSHINE'S BACK: UNLV received an unexpected boost Sunday when senior guard Sunshine Smith suited up and played 10 minutes. Smith, who has been plagued by tendinitis in his right knee, was supposed to sit out both exhibition games. However, he practiced Saturday and got some court time Sunday against USDBL. "It started feeling better Friday," Smith said. "And when it felt good after practice Saturday, I told coach I could go." Smith said 10 minutes wasn't a lot, but he'll take it. "It's a long season," he said. "I just wanted to get back out there." Smith had six points, three assists and two steals during his brief stint. ... Senior guard Chancellor Davis also saw his first action as the Cheyenne High grad played two minutes. Junior Grant Rice dressed but did not play.