Kambala may or may not be factor against ASU

Steve Carp

Friday, Dec. 4, 1998 | 11:20 a.m.

Kaspars Kambala's stay in the doghouse was a brief one, as the 6-foot-9 sophomore center will be available for UNLV when the Rebels face Arizona State Saturday in Phoenix.

But just because Kambala can play doesn't necessarily mean he regains his starting spot. He could find himself in a similar position at America West Arena that he did at Lawlor Events Center -- sitting on the bench.

Kambala was suspended for Wednesday's 84-69 win over Nevada-Reno for violating team rules. Coach Bill Bayno may not want to switch things back so quickly in light of the play he got from his smaller lineup Wednesday.

Kevin Simmons did an outstanding job at center and Donovan Stewart played his best game as a Rebel, scoring 19 points while being active at both ends of the floor.

And with Arizona State not blessed with a lot of size, UNLV may be forced to match up with the Sun Devils by staying small and quick.

"I'm not sure what we're going to do," Bayno said. "Kas is back and he'll play. But I want to watch some more tape (of ASU) before I make any decisions."

Stewart benefitted the most from Kambala's absence, playing a career-high 35 minutes against UNR. He appeared to be a different player, perhaps stemming from the fact he knew he would play steady minutes, but also because he finally understands what Bayno wants from him.

"We're on the same page," the 6-4 Stewart said. "It took a little while for me to figure it out, but I know my role on this team -- that's to go to the basket and make plays inside."

And while Stewart's getting the message, so are the members of UNLV's backcourt.

Don't be surprised to see Bayno stick with the tandem of Mark Dickel and Greedy Daniels Saturday, after they helped bring 4-2 UNLV back from nine down in the first half Wednesday against UNR.

Bayno needs Daniels' defensive presence to pressure the ball while he also wants Dickel's distribution skills in the halfcourt.

"That may be the answer," he said. "They were looking for each other and were very unselfish."

Daniels had a career-high 23 points against UNR. But he also had four assists, as he, too, was asked to handle some of the point guard's responsibilities.

Bayno doesn't want to forget about Brian Keefe, who played 18 minutes while battling a touch of tendinitis in his knee. Keefe hit a couple of big hoops to get the UNLV first-half rally going and had seven points.

"Brian will play," Bayno said. "His knee was bothering him and with Greedy and Mark playing so well, I didn't want to push him. But Brian hit a couple of big shots against Reno and he definitely will play."

Second time around

Saturday will mark only the second time UNLV and Arizona State have met. Back in 1975, the Sun Devils beat the Rebels 84-81 in the NCAA West Regional in Portland.

The Sun Devils, 2-4 under first-year coach Rob Evans, are trying to hold things together until senior forward Mike Batiste returns Dec. 19. Batiste is academically ineligible for the fall semester.

Bobby Lazor, the 6-9 senior forward, has been trying to pick up the slack. Lazor's averaging 16.7 points while guard Eddie House leads ASU with a 19.3 average.

"They're big-time players," Bayno said of Lazor and House. "But I think we have to keep attacking the basket and look inside."

In the other game in what amounts to a WAC/Mountain West-Pac 10 doubleheader, Wyoming takes on Arizona.