Good invigorates Rebels to the max

Steve Addy

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000 | 10:57 a.m.

The Rebels went back to work Wednesday, and new coach Max Good punched in earliest of all.

Good was so eager for his first full day as Bill Bayno's successor, he arrived at the Thomas & Mack Center at 5:45 a.m. and watched film for three hours.

"I woke up at 4 and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided I might as well come in," he said. "I've always liked to be the first guy in the office and the last to leave."

Good's diligence served him well in his first 48 hours as UNLV's coach, a stint that began late Monday when Bayno was fired in the aftermath of severe NCAA sanctions against the program.

The torch was passed to Good at noon Tuesday, when the players were notified of the coaching change. But that afternoon was so full of meetings, interviews and emotional upheaval, Good put the team through a 45-minute shootaround strictly for the media's benefit.

Wednesday included more of the same -- staff meetings, a boosters luncheon and voice-mail overload -- but Good also conducted a no-nonsense 2 1/2-hour practice to prepare the Rebels (3-4) for Saturday's game against No. 17 Cincinnati (4-1) in the Las Vegas Showdown.

If any Rebels were mired in self-pity after Tuesday's jarring events, Good's drill-instructor intensity roused them.

Shouting his pet phrase "Listen up!" in his Kentucky twang, Good quickly set about to plug leaks in the Rebels' game, notably turnovers, offensive spacing, rebounding and defense.

He harped especially on sloppy passing, and had the Rebels running sprints after a particularly bad sequence.

"These turnovers are unacceptable! Unacceptable!" Good yelled. "We better start valuing the basketball! We've got to treat it like a thousand-dollar bill!"

When the gassers were over and many players bent at the waist, Good said, "Hands off your knees! I'll tell you when you're tired!"

By now you realize that Good buys his exclamation points by the case. Off the court, he is soft-spoken and matter-of-fact. But hang a whistle around his neck and his personality can range from ornery to sarcastic to humorous, all in a minute's time.

It is a style Good has honed over 32 years in coaching, including eight as Eastern Kentucky's head coach (1981-89). Bayno added him as an assistant last season.

"I can't say enough about Max," Bayno told the Sun Wednesday. "I have no doubt the guys will respond to him and the entire staff. I brought in Max because of everything he brings to the table, which is toughness and a wealth of experience. He will do a great job."

Though Wednesday's practice was loaded with Good commands -- "Get back! Sprint! Match up!" -- he was receptive to input from his assistants. Dave Rice, Charles Cunningham and Bill Wuczynski each halted practice at least once to interject. "Everybody had something to contribute, and that made it easier on me," Good said. "I've got a habit of talking too much at practice."

Good was also true to his word that all five starting spots are open for competition after last week's loss to Nevada-Reno. For the whole practice, walk-on center Noel Bloom played center with the starters, dropping Kaspars Kambala to the second group.

"We may not necessarily change the lineup, but sometimes guys need a chance to show what they can do," Good said. "I don't want these guys worrying about who starts."

With those words, Good headed for the North Gym exit at 6 p.m., but he wasn't punching out.

"I'm going home to watch tape for four hours," he said.

Jevon Banks (sprained ankle) will likely miss another week. ...

Kambala, who turned 22 Wednesday, jammed his left thumb late in practice. ...

Wuczynski was elevated to assistant coach after one year as director of operations. Ex-Rebels point guard Mark Wade will be offered the vacated post.