Bayno unhappy with his defense

Steve Carp

Monday, Oct. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Fall basketball scrimmages are all about getting better, both collectively and individually.

Given the proceedings at Sunday's UNLV intra-squad scrimmage at the Thomas & Mack Center, the lines clearly were drawn in coach Bill Bayno's mind.

Offensively, the Rebels were running, pushing the ball in transition and scoring as the White team beat the Red 67-57 over a 30-minute span.

Defensively? Well, it was all Bayno could do afterward not to imitate former New Orleans Saints coach Jim Mora. Bayno was extremely disappointed with the lack of effort at the other end. But he showed restraint when commenting about it.

"We had some individuals play well," he said. "Our offense was good. We played together, pushed it real good up the floor.

"But our defense needs a lot of work. I've said it many times that defense is about effort and we didn't have any effort. We've got a lot to do in that area."

The 2,000-plus curiosity seekers left smiling, however, as the Rebels displayed their up-tempo style and had some nice finishing dunks. Those who showed up had to be encouraged by the backcourt play of freshman Mark Dickel, who got the transition game going, and senior Chancellor Davis, who helped his cause for playing time by maintaining that same rhythm.

"Chancellor looked real good," Bayno said. "He's finally in shape and he's injury-free. That allows him to play the way he's capable. He did a lot of good things out there."

Bayno also was encouraged by the progress of Eric Lee. The 6-foot-11 sophomore center continues to get stronger as he tries to come all the way back from lower back surgery a year ago. He had 12 points and six rebounds for the Red team and looked good while matched up against junior Keon Clark.

"He's still playing catch-up," Bayno said of Lee, who missed three practices last week after coming down with the flu. "Right now, he's behind. But he's further along at this point than I thought he'd be.

"He's working hard to catch up. But he has improved so much since last year, it's unbelievable. His all-around game is better. He's stronger. He has more confidence. He's going to be a factor for us."

Lee said he actually hoped to be further along than he already is. But he blames himself for his current status.

"I didn't work out as hard as I should've in the off-season," he said. "I was afraid if I went too hard, I'd re-injure my back.

"But looking back on it, I could've, and should've gone harder during the summer. But I'll get there. It may take me until the middle of the season, but I'm going to make it all the way back."

Bayno