OSU stiff test for the Rebels

Steve Addy

Friday, Dec. 1, 2000 | 10:47 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Forget that nonsense about the third time being a charm.

Regardless that the Rebels have been beaten by Oklahoma State the last two seasons, the past doesn't matter now. But they can't afford another loss Saturday to the Cowboys.

In a nonconference schedule with many land mines ahead, this is a crucial, winnable game for UNLV. With Cincinnati, Pepperdine and Georgetown still to come, the Rebels would do well to put Saturday's game in the win column, just in case they need a mulligan later.

Last year's game was winnable too, but UNLV made only 3-of-26 3-point shots and suffered an 89-75 home loss on Dec. 18, 1999. In retrospect, it was a costly loss, because the Cowboys wound up 27-7 and a UNLV victory surely would have improved its NCAA Tournament seeding.

But back to the present. This isn't the same OSU club that made it to the NCAA final eight last spring. The Cowboys lost four starters, including NBA draftee Desmond Mason and tough point guard Doug Gottlieb. The only returning starter is 6-foot-10 Swedish center Fredrik Jonzen.

Plus the Cowboys are untested. They're 2-0, but neither opponent was capable of much protest -- Missouri-Kansas City (69-46) and North Texas (94-56).

UNLV might be catching the Cowboys at the perfect time, before their kinks are worked out.

"Their team is totally different this year," Rebels guard Trevor Diggs said. "Maybe we can get on them early, get the lead and take the momentum. This is an important game. We're going there to win, not just play close or anything like that."

"I have lost to them twice in a row," Kaspars Kambala said. "Hopefully, I can be the last man laughing."

OSU assistant Glynn Cyprien, the ex-UNLV associate coach, agreed that the Cowboys' first two wins weren't especially revealing.

"We still don't know a lot about the team we're going to be, other than we will stress defense," Cyprien said. "We are really young. Even though our talent is pretty good, we're untested."

The Cowboys had a terrific recruiting class, rated first nationally by a few recruiting watchdogs, and three of the newcomers have moved right into the starting five: 6-1 point guard Maurice Baker from Dixie College, guard Victor Williams (transfer from Illinois State) and JC swingman Melvin Sanders.

Baker was highly recruited by UNLV last year, but signed with OSU before Cyprien switched staffs. Baker had 24 points (on 10-of-12 shooting) against North Texas, with six rebounds and five assists.

"I've been watching Mo Baker since high school, and he's the real deal," Cyprien said.

The game will be first for the Rebels (3-2) since last Saturday's 70-69 home win over Cal State Northridge. They've been battling nagging injuries all week, but everyone is expected to be available to play.