Practice games aided Lewis

Steve Addy

Monday, Nov. 13, 2000 | 10:55 a.m.

Who: UNLV vs. Northern Arizona

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack

TV: None

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

On the surface, it seems a colossal waste of time for the Rebels to play exhibitions against pickup teams like the Delta Jammers and L.A. Stars.

Despite winning both games last week, which surprised nobody, the Rebels were so worried about hiding their real offense from future opponents, the games amounted to little more than aerobics classes.

But for a UNLV newcomer like shooting guard Jermaine Lewis, the exhibitions were valuable dress rehearsals for what he will experience Friday night in the regular-season opener against Northern Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Lewis knows he didn't play especially well in either game, and that's the point. Might as well get the jitters out of the way when the games don't count.

The 6-foot-2 Houston native thinks the arena will look smaller and the basket bigger Friday.

"I'll be looking at that as my third game, not my first one," Lewis said. "I will be more relaxed. I'll still be ready to play, but not too ready. I was too anxious in the (exhibitions) and it might have made me shoot too hard, too strong."

Lewis arrives at UNLV well-hyped, having averaged 26 points last season at Kilgore College in Texas, where he became a second-team JC All-American. But against the Jammers and Stars last week, he made mistakes of commission and omission that are typical of Division I rookies.

Billed as an outstanding perimeter shooter, Lewis hit only 4-of-13 shots, including 1-of-8 3-point attempts. Other times, especially Friday against the Stars, he would eschew an open shot and waste the opportunity after failing to maneuver around a defender.

Despite Lewis' offensive credentials, coach Bill Bayno isn't shocked by the early struggles of a player he touts as "maybe the best pure shooter I have ever coached."

"He and Lou (Kelly) are still trying to figure out when to shoot it and when to drive it, which all new kids go through," Bayno said. "They will pick it up."

Lewis was recruited largely to bolster the Rebels' anemic 3-point game. They made only 31.6 percent from the arc last season, allowing opponents to devote multiple defenders to center Kaspars Kambala. Bayno wants Lewis to pull the trigger, as long as his shot is open and comes within the halfcourt structure.

"When (defenses) are sagging, he'll have to step up and make shots," Bayno said. "If it's a curl situation (coming around a screen), then curl and shoot it.

"But early in the (halfcourt), I don't want him to shoot it off the first pass. It's fool's gold, even if it goes in. We want to get the offense in a flow and make the defense play."

Lewis said he isn't worried about his chilly shooting so far.

"A couple of them rattled in and out," he said. "That's just how it goes. I feel pretty good about my shot."

Though Lewis is viewed as an eventual starter, he'll likely come off the bench for now. Incumbent shooting guard Trevor Diggs has had a solid preseason and seems the logical starter, especially because the Rebels' schedule won't allow much time to break in the new guys.

After Friday's opener against Northern Arizona, which made the NCAA tournament last season, the Rebels go to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational to face Illinois and a star-studded field Nov. 20-23. Bayno will probably rely on old hands.

"Starting doesn't really matter to me," Lewis said. "As long as I get an opportunity, I think I can help. Whatever decision (Bayno) makes, I'll play hard. He has been very positive and supportive with me. He said as long as I keep working, I'll get my chance."

Again this season, Bayno's radio show on KBAD 920-AM will be broadcast from Barley's, 4500 E. Sunset Road, every Tuesday night at 7. The first show is this week. ...

The season's first basketball luncheon is at noon Wednesday in the Si Redd Room at the Thomas & Mack Center.