For UNLV, exhibition foe will be a welcome change of face

Steve Addy

Monday, Nov. 6, 2000 | 11:47 a.m.

The Rebels don't even care who they're playing Tuesday night. As long as it's somebody wearing a different uniform, they will be grateful.

After three weeks of practice, UNLV will play the Delta Jammers club team in an exhibition at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Rebels' first chance to see how they fare against outside competition.

Finally, they'll get to face a team that doesn't already know their plays, even if it is a thrown-together cast of former college players from WAC and West Coast Conference schools.

"I'm tired of getting beaten up and beating on the same guys every day," senior swingman Danny Brotherson said. "It's going to be good to play someone who doesn't know everything that you're running, so you can get something done."

In practice, offensive progress has been somewhat choppy, players admit. That is partially because offense relies on fine-tuning and execution, while defense is more effort-based.

But it's also hard to get a true read on the offense when defensive players are running to Point A and waiting for the offensive guy to arrive. There's no element of surprise.

"A frustration level creeps in, to a certain point," Brotherson said. "But I think that makes us better, because it makes you go to other options in the offense."

Tuesday's game, as well as Friday's home exhibition against the LA Stars, should show UNLV which areas need shoring up before the Nov. 17 season opener against Northern Arizona.

"It will be good to see how we match up with people, how guys respond to pressure and how we react in game situations," center Kaspars Kambala said.

Coach Bill Bayno said he hasn't decided on a starting five, but said it doesn't matter. He plans to spread the minutes evenly and get a look at several lineups.

"The most important thing is to get everybody an opportunity and see how we work together in various combinations," Bayno said.

The most likely starting lineup is: Kambala, Dalron Johnson at power forward, Lou Kelly at small forward, Trevor Diggs at shooting guard and freshman Lafonte Johnson at point guard.

"I'm sure certain guys will start this one and other guys will start the next one," Brotherson said.

UNLV has never lost an exhibition under Bayno, going 10-0 since 1995 against teams like Marathon Oil and Global Sports. The Jammers lost to Pacific 90-87 on Saturday.

Sylvester Dotson is practicing on a limited basis, but will likely sit out Tuesday because of a sprained ankle. "It's sore and it's serious," Bayno said, though Dotson ran sprints Sunday. ...

Tuesday's game and all others will be aired on ESPN 920-AM, with Ken Korach and ex-Rebel Glen Gondrezick calling the action. The pregame and postgame shows will last an hour each. All broadcasts can also be heard on the Rebels' website, www.unlvrebels.com. ...

Wednesday is the first day of the NCAA's early signing period. Rebels recruits Marcus Banks and Simplice Njoya are expected to sign quickly, while New Jersey shooting guard Ernest Turner is leaning toward UNLV over Villanova. He is ranked nationally among the top 50 high school prospects.