Rebel fans get shot to say farewell to seniors Dickel, Epps

Steve Addy

Wednesday, March 1, 2000 | 10:34 a.m.

Here are some of the best games of UNLV seniors Mark Dickel and Issiah Epps:

MARK DICKEL

Nov. 19, 1999, vs. Miss. Valley 17 pts., 10 reb., 12 asst.

Nov. 24, 1999, vs. Nevada-Reno 16 pts., 6 reb., 14 asst.

Dec. 21, 1999, vs. Cal-Poly 18 pts., 7 reb., 10 asst.

ISSIAH EPPS

Dec. 30, 1997, vs. Nevada-Reno 14 pts., 13 reb., 2 blk.

Feb. 14, 1998 , UTEP 9 pts, 7 reb., 3 blk.

March 10, 1999, vs. Nebraska 10 pts, 5 reb., 2 blk.

When point guard Mark Dickel takes his bows Saturday on Senior Day against New Mexico, he truly hopes it will be his final UNLV home game.

Otherwise, it will mean the Rebels have missed the NCAA Tournament and are hosting an NIT game.

Center Issiah Epps isn't sure how he'll feel Saturday. There is a slim chance that he'll return next season if all parties are agreeable, including the NCAA eligibility panel, but Epps hasn't decided if he'll pursue a fourth season.

Nevertheless, when the Rebels battle the Lobos to likely determine the Mountain West Conference regular-season champion, it might be the last chance for UNLV fans to cheer two seniors who refused to let misfortune chase them out of the program.

Having withstood boos on his home court in his first three seasons, Dickel has blossomed in his fourth year. He averages 13.2 points and 8.8 assists, the latter figure leading the nation. His assist-to-turnover ratio is a sparkling 3.6-to-1.

Epps' statistics aren't as gaudy, but his fortitude is just as laudable. He missed his freshman year due to academic shortcomings, then had to overcome back surgery that robbed him of many of the skills that made UNLV recruit him in 1996. He was doomed to be a backup, but he never quit.

"There were times when I wanted to put my foot down and walk away," Epps admitted. "But I am not a quitter. I didn't want to show weakness like that, so I stuck it out. If I didn't, I wouldn't be as close to graduating as I am, so it has been worth it."

Glory has been rare for "Ike," however. He admits his career has been frustrating. There have been occasional big moments, like a 1997 double-double against Nevada-Reno, or his crucial dunk against New Mexico in the 1998 WAC tournament final. But Epps has mostly endured long stretches on the bench, waiting to be summoned for three minutes here, five minutes there.

He has handled the role with uncommon grace, coach Bill Bayno said.

"Ike's going to always have a special place in my heart because of the kind of kid he is," he said. "He caught some bad breaks, but he has been a loyal, trustworthy, tremendous kid to have in the program. Things might not have worked out to his liking, but he has always been proud to wear a Rebel uniform."

Epps might be in uniform again next season, too. Though the Rebels might be better off adding a more productive newcomer with Epps' scholarship, Bayno has left the door open, saying, "It's up to Ike. He has to make that decision on his own."

Epps said he's weighing his options, including playing in a foreign pro league next season, and he'll notify Bayno by the end of April.

"I wouldn't want to hurt the team because I waited too long," Epps said.

It's that sort of attitude that has endeared Epps to his teammates. They like Ike.

"Everybody on the team gets along great with Ike," Dickel said. "He is really unselfish, and he is a really caring person. He wants everybody to do well. He is a good friend, and I hope he plays another year."

For Dickel, there will be no encore. This is it for him, to be followed by the Sydney Olympics, in which he will play for his native New Zealand. His parents are coming to Las Vegas this week for the first time in two years to witness his senior send-off. They will stay for three weeks, and Dickel hopes he and the Rebels can treat his folks to some NCAA Tournament games as well.

"UNLV has been great to me," Dickel said of his career. "I've had an enjoyable experience, on and off the court. Regardless of what other people think, it's been positive. I've never really worried about what other people thought. As long as I enjoyed myself, that's what really matters."

Bayno said of Dickel, "He was one of the catalysts who got this program back from the dead. He helped get us back on TV, back in the NCAA Tournament. Mark played a big part in all of that."

* REBEL NOTES: Trevor Diggs sat out Tuesday's practice with the flu and might not play Thursday at San Diego State, Bayno said. Danny Brotherson would start in his place. ...

The recruiting game continues. Point guard Lafonte Johnson (5-foot-9, 170) from Crispus Attucks Prep in York, Pa., will visit this weekend. He's a teammate of Omari Pearson, a November signee of the Rebels. UNLV is also said to be showing interest in 6-foot-4 guard Immanuel McElroy from Tyler JC in Texas.