Rams likely to throw change-up at Kambala

Steve Addy

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

When UNLV played Colorado State barely two weeks ago, Kaspars Kambala couldn't help feeling insulted, but in a pleasant sort of way.

The Rebels' center had grown so accustomed to constant double- and triple-teaming around the basket, he couldn't believe that CSU rarely steered an extra defender his way and almost never played a zone against him.

"Most of the time, I had one guy on me," Kambala said with raised eyebrows. He is, after all, the Mountain West leader in scoring (18.7) and rebounding (9.1) and a three-time MWC player of the week.

Despite his surprise, Kambala wasn't thrown off by the Rams' strategy. He made them pay dearly for their stubbornness. He scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half, hitting 8-of-9 shots, and the Rebels used a 53-point half to rally for a 78-75 victory at Moby Arena.

When the teams play their rematch tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center, starting the second half of the MWC season, Kambala isn't sure how the Rams will defend him. But he has a preference.

"If I was them, I'd double-team me," Kambala said. "But if they don't, I'll take it right at them again. They won't be able to stop me.

"The last time, their double-teams were not really legitimate. A guy would run at me and leave, or they would run at me when I wasn't in position to score anyway.

"Even if they double-team me, it doesn't matter if I get the ball close to the hoop. I'm going to score."

UNLV coach Bill Bayno thinks Colorado State will try a different approach this time -- forcing the Rebels' guards to beat them -- though that could mean a field day for point guard Mark Dickel, who was terrific in the teams' first meeting with 15 points and eight assists.

"We are going to see zones and we are going to see double-teams," Bayno said. "They played a couple possessions of (zone) last time and they sagged on Kas, which is like a double-team, but they didn't come all the way. He attacked through that. Now I think they'll run guys at him."

CSU coach Ritchie McKay said, "We have addressed some things we did against them last time. We gave up 53 points in the second half. Hopefully we'll do better this time. UNLV is probably the surprise of the conference because of their road success."

The Rebels (14-5) hit the midpoint of the MWC season with a 5-2 record, good for second place, capped by a home victory over Utah last Saturday night. Colorado State (13-9, 3-4) is coming off a nonconference loss to Creighton on Monday. After going 2-2 on a four-game home stand, the Rams are beginning a three-game trip that will also take them to San Diego State and Air Force.

CSU's calling card continues to be 3-point shooting. The Rams lead Division I with 42.9-percent accuracy, led by freshman Andy Birley's 48.6. UNLV plans to keep their open shots to a minimum.

"We have to contest their 3's in any situation, whether it's help-and-recover, off the dribble or however they get them," Bayno said.

* REBEL NOTES: Knocking down Internet rumors, Kambala said he'll definitely return to UNLV next season, rather than pass up his senior year for the NBA. "I'm coming back," he said. "I have not talked to anyone (in the NBA) about going in the draft." ...

Though Mark Dickel has a sore back and a few Rebels have the flu, everybody should be available tonight. Chris Richardson's ankle has recovered, as has Ike Epps' swollen jaw. ...

RPI expert Jerry Palm of Carmel, Ind., regards UNLV as a No. 10 Midwest seed in his latest NCAA Tournament projection. But he thinks the Rebels are still a long shot to make the field.

"They have to go on a run," he said. "Their margin for error is pretty small because they do not have any solid victories to hang their hat on. Beating Utah was pretty good, but against some of the better competition they played, they embarrassed themselves."