Silver Bandits to come out firing

Victoria Sun

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 10:35 a.m.

It has been 13 years since former UNLV coach Rolland Todd patrolled the hardwood as a men's basketball coach when he was head coach at Taft Community College.

Although the game has changed, Todd says his new role as head coach of the Las Vegas Silver Bandits of the new International Basketball League will remain the same.

"Their growth and development is my job," Todd said. "Their job is to win games.

"These are guys that want to get to the next level so there are certain things they need to do that."

Tonight at 7, the Silver Bandits will take the first step in showcasing their skills when the team hosts the San Diego Stingrays at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas' franchise debut.

Under Todd, the team composed of former college and NBA players will try to run its way to victory with an up-tempo style of basketball that should please fans.

The Silver Bandits starting lineup features Sean Igo out of Rice, Rocky Walls (Oral Roberts), J.R. Henderson (UCLA), Doug Lee (Purdue) and Isaac Burton (Arizona State).

Former UNLV standout Dexter Boney will miss the first few games because of a sore toe while former Southwest Oklahoma State player Ernest Hall will miss a couple of games due to a tender knee.

Todd says he has seen the Stingrays roster, which includes rap mogul Master P, whose real name is Percy Miller.

Todd thinks the first game of the season will be up for grabs.

"I actually don't know what to expect," he said. "There is no way of evaluating our team versus another team because no one has played yet together.

"Our intention is to win the league. That should be the goal of all eight teams in the league."

Providing high-quality basketball at an affordable price is another.

All seats for Silver Bandits home games will be in the lower bowl of the arena so fans can get closer to the action. Tickets (938-3838) start at $8 and parking is free for all home games.

Todd reasoned that the viability of the Silver Bandits will be a good indicator of whether or not another professional basketball team can survive in Las Vegas.

"I think anything positive around basketball is going to help the next basketball venture, whether it be an NBA team or something else," Todd said. "If we get good crowd support and are successful, that will breed more well-being to the next franchise."

At halftime, the No Limit All-Stars of Miller's No Limit record label will perform. Two of Miller's artists, Erika Foxx and Mercedes, will sing the national anthem.

* STATE CHAMPS HONORED: The Silver Bandits will honor the Nevada Class 4A state football champion Cimarron-Memorial Spartans tonight. Cimarron defeated McQueen 21-7 last Friday in Reno for its second consecutive title.