Kambala may have torn knee cartilage; surgery expected this week

Steve Carp

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 | 10:32 a.m.

The euphoria of UNLV's courageous 54-53 win over Tulsa Monday gave way to Tuesday's grim reality that the Rebels likely will have to go the rest of the WAC season without starting center Kaspars Kambala.

The 6-foot-9 sophomore sprained his right knee in the opening minutes of Monday's game and he was scheduled to be examined this morning by team physician Dr. Gerald Higgins. Kambala is believed to have torn cartilage in his knee and if that prognosis is confirmed, he will undergo surgery, perhaps as early as this afternoon, though Thursday is more likely.

"I'm optimistic I'll be back for the WAC tournament," Kambala said of the postseason event to be held in just two weeks at the Thomas & Mack Center. "Whatever happens, I'm just going to try and stay positive."

Coach Bill Bayno feels the same way. However, Bayno has to be realistic. He knows he won't have his big man for Saturday's game with Southern Methodist at the Mack or Monday's home finale against Texas Christian. And UNLV likely will be without Kambala for its final road trip to Colorado State Feb. 25 and Wyoming on the 27th.

Kambala had strained his right quadricep in practice before last Saturday's game at Rice and he had one of his worst nights as a collegian, failing to attempt a single shot while being saddled with foul trouble.

He was hoping to redeem himself at Tulsa. But less than three minutes into the game, he said he heard something in his knee snap and he immediately knew it was trouble.

So what does Bayno do?

Kambala's recent struggles have forced the coach to go with a smaller, three-guard lineup. And UNLV has played well when Bayno has used a combination of Mark Dickel, Greedy Daniels, Brian Keefe and Desmond Herod as his trio, to team with forwards Shawn Marion and Kevin Simmons.

When UNLV goes small, its added quickness is an asset in establishing defensive tempo and creating turnovers from its halfcourt trap.

The liability is rebounding. With the 6-8 Simmons representing UNLV's biggest player on the floor, it puts the Rebels at a huge disadvantage. UNLV has been outdone on the glass in its last five games. Monday, Tulsa held a 44-30 edge on the boards.

To combat that, Bayno may look to give 6-10 junior Issiah Epps more minutes.

"This is another challenge for this team," Bayno said. "We have to be prepared to do both -- go small when we need to, and use Issiah for longer stretches."

Epps said he's ready to step up.

"It felt good to contribute," he said. "I'm definitely ready for more."

Bayno also may look to sophomore forward Donovan Stewart to lend a hand on the boards. Stewart is a good rebounder but he has been inconsistent.

"Donovan has to accept it like Ike has," Bayno said of Stewart's fluctuating role. "It's hard because Donovan tends to worry so much. I just want him to relax and go play."

As for Kambala's possible return, Bayno will leave it up to the medical staff as to when, and if, Kambala plays again this year.

"Hopefully, it's a situation where it's scoped and rehabbed and he's back soon," Bayno said. "We don't want to rush him. I guess we'll know a lot more the next couple of days."

T FORMATION: Bill Bayno's first technical foul of the 1998-99 season was premeditated. Sort of.

The UNLV coach was zapped with a T during the first half of Monday's 54-53 win over Tulsa after complaining a little too vigorously about a non-call after Shawn Marion was mugged in the paint and Zac Bennett got a slam dunk.

"I deserved it," Bayno said of the tech, which at the time gave Tulsa a 17-9 lead. "But I wanted Dave (Hall) to give it to me because he was the closest one to the play."

Instead, Scott Thornley, who was the farthest from the incident, zinged Bayno. It was the second time in Bayno's career Thornley has disciplined him.

As is usually the case in such instances, the T seemed to get the Rebels going.

"I told the team, 'No more calls. Just go get some loose balls,' " Bayno said. "Actually, I thought it was a well-officiated game. That's a great crew and I have no problem with the technical."

Tulsa's Bill Self may beg to differ.

"That was the most physical game we've played all year," Self said. "That was borderline ridiculous."

DES D'S UP: He scored just three points Monday, but Desmond Herod helped the Rebels in an unlikely area -- man-to-man defense.

Trying to shake his well-earned rep in high school for being just a scorer, Herod has taken it as a personal challenge to develop his overall game. As part of the UNLV three-guard lineup, he was very active during his 21-minute stint against Tulsa.

"It's simple," he said. "In high school, I was a scorer. Here, I'm not a big scorer, so I have to do something to help the team."