Bayno: ‘Daniels has emerged as a scorer’

Steve Carp

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998 | 12:18 p.m.

At this point, there aren't a whole lot of changes left to make for UNLV coach Bill Bayno. But he is contemplating returning Greedy Daniels to the starting lineup at the position he began the season -- off-guard.

With Brian Keefe struggling and Daniels giving the team a lift defensively off the bench as well as contributing more on offense, Bayno is leaning toward starting the 6-foot freshman from New Orleans Saturday at Brigham Young.

"Greedy has emerged as a scorer," Bayno said Tuesday. "He's got a scorer's mentality. He's always been a scorer. I think trying to put Greedy back at the one (point guard) right now is going to hurt him."

Daniels, who is averaging 7.7 points, had 11 in Monday's 75-66 loss to No. 11 New Mexico. He has hit for double figures in his last three games and has played well in tandem with point guard Mark Dickel.

"Good things happen when Greedy and Mark are on the court together," Bayno said. "I think at this level, it was tough for Greedy to adjust to the one when we had started him out at the two.

"I think he's comfortable with his role. He knows he's going to play regular minutes and he is contributing."

Bayno said Daniels is shooting the ball with confidence.

"He's cleaned his form up," Bayno said. "He's not leaning when he shoots it. And he's taking better shots."

But Daniels and his teammates need to make more of those shots. He had a case of tough luck in the first half Monday when he stole the ball and appeared to be headed for an easy basket but missed a dunk/layup.

New Mexico's Clayton Shields came down and hit a 3-pointer at the other end in what turned out to be one of several huge momentum swings for the Lobos.

As for Keefe, the 6-3 junior is finding it difficult to get some rhythm. He has been faced with some tough defensive matchups of late, namely trying to check Air Force's Jarmica Reese and New Mexico's Lamont Long, which have taken away from Keefe's offensive priorities.

"Part of it is Brian's pressing," Bayno said. "But Brian's still going to get his minutes. Maybe bringing him off the bench will help him relax."

Bayno said one thing that won't change the rest of the way is Donovan Stewart's court presence. The 6-4 freshman forward from Rialto, Calif., is coming off a career-high 15-rebound effort against New Mexico.

"Donovan just plays hard," Bayno said. "He's doing a great job defensively and I think he's come around. He played well against UTEP and he had a breakout game against New Mexico."

Hoop du jour

* BAYNO HURTS KNEE: As bad as he was limping Tuesday, you would have thought Bill Bayno had played instead of coached against New Mexico Monday night. Bayno's right knee was giving him considerable trouble from the constant squatting he does during games. "It's as big as a grapefruit," he said following the Rebel Athletic Club luncheon at the Si Redd Room. Bayno had an appointment Tuesday afternoon to see team orthopedist Dr. James Higgins . ... The team took Tuesday off and will return to the practice floor today.

* NESBY GETS NBA INVITE: All Tyrone Nesby ever wanted was a shot to show NBA scouts what he can do. The 6-6 senior forward is going to get that chance as Nesby has been invited to the Apr. 7-11 Desert Classic pre-draft camp in Phoenix. Nesby is averaging 16.2 points lead the team in scoring and also is averaging 5.8 rebounds.

* BENEFIT DINNER: The Southern Nevada Save the Youth Foundation will honor UNLV coach Bill Bayno May 16 at the Las Vegas Hilton. The fundraiser is being organized by former Rebel Michael "Spiderman" Burns and many former UNLV players are expected to attend. Tickets for the black tie optional affair are $100 per person, $1,000 for tables of 10. Special corporate sponsorship packages also are available. For more information or to obtain tickets, call the UNLV basketball office at 895-3295 or the Save the Youth Foundation at 877-9280.