Q & A session provides insight to 2000-01 Rebels

Steve Addy

Friday, Nov. 17, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

As UNLV embarks on a new college basketball season tonight against Northern Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center, there are a lot of questions on the minds of Rebels fans. Sun basketball writer Steve Addy lists 10 of them here, along with the answers to the best of his knowledge.

1. Has the talent been upgraded from last season?

Yes, but mostly because of potential. The Rebels exchanged Mark Dickel for Lafonte Johnson and Jevon Banks at point guard, Issiah Epps for Omari Pearson in the low post, and Kenny Dye for Jermaine Lewis at shooting guard.

The latter swap is an immediate improvement, but Johnson, Banks and Pearson will be hard-pressed to top their predecessors this year. In a couple of years, who knows? The Rebels also planned on a healthy Lou Kelly, but he's already hurt again, so that's a wash.

2. Can UNLV get into the Top 25?

The schedule will provide ample opportunity, but it could also be the Rebels' downfall. A good Maui Invitational could give them a boost, but it would require an upset of Illinois and another ranked team. Beating Cincinnati on Dec. 16 would also help.

Because the Mountain West doesn't receive much national respect, UNLV needs wins over Top 25 opponents, preferably on national TV. Despite the Rebels' late surge last season, the pollsters couldn't ignore their blowout losses to good teams.

3. Is coach Bill Bayno's job secure?

As long as Carol Harter is UNLV president, the answer is yes. Even with Bayno's program in trouble with the NCAA, Harter remains squarely in his corner (and the pregame huddle). She won't fire him, no matter how the chat rooms bellow.

For his part, Bayno insists he isn't looking over his shoulder. He knows a certain segment of Rebel fans will never like him, mainly because his last name isn't Tarkanian. But he could sure help his profile by beating a few quality teams and winning an NCAA Tournament game.

4. Will Lafonte Johnson be a capable replacement for Dickel?

Yes, but not overnight. Johnson's assets are speed, ballhandling and shooting, so he has a good base of fundamentals. But he also seems shorter than his listed height. He doesn't look 5-10. Also, like many short players, he has a high dribble and comes close to carrying the ball. Referees might call him on it.

5. Will the Rebels make more outside shots?

That's the theory, but we'll see. They were so shaky from the perimeter last season that opponents laid off Dickel and Trevor Diggs, daring them to shoot, and sent extra defenders to bug Kaspars Kambala. Diggs seems more comfortable and Lewis is expected to be a gunner, but they will have to prove it over time.

6. Are there enough big men?

No. The Rebels' best players are center Kambala and power forward Dalron Johnson, but their depth is in the backcourt. If Kambala or Johnson get injured or have foul trouble, it will be hard to plug the leak. Aside from Sylvester Dotson, there isn't much frontcourt size or experience. The other backups are blown-up small forwards.

7. How badly will the Rebels miss Lou Kelly?

Not much, mainly because they still don't know how good he is or isn't. In a way, you feel sorry for Kelly. Not only did he break his foot twice, but such a fuss was made over his delayed enrollment last season, expectations got inflated through no fault of his own. Now he is at risk of being unfairly labeled a washout. Makes you want to root for him.

8. Any other Rebels especially worth rooting for?

You've got to love Diggs. He was booed last season and even cried on the bench a few times when his shots wouldn't fall. But he had a terrific Mountain West tournament and came back this year with the weight of the world off his shoulders.

The kid's got guts, too. After the 44-point loss at Utah last season, when most of the Rebels bolted past the TV cameras, Diggs stopped and answered every question about the team's awful effort. That showed courage.

9. Who will be the top teams in the Mountain West?

The usual suspects -- Utah, UNLV, Wyoming -- but I think the Cowboys are the team to beat if they win some road games. Their front line should be awesome now that power forward Ugo Udezue is back from a knee injury to play alongside junior stud Josh Davis.

The media voted for Utah, but the Utes lost their top four scorers, and health problems are hobbling some of their replacements. Transfer guards Travis Spivey and Kevin Bradley have to play well right away, and ex-Duke forward Chris Burgess must be as good as advertised.

10. OK, wise guy, what's your prediction for the Rebels?

Another 20-win season and probable NCAA bid, but with little hope of advancing because of a low seed. They'll contend for the Mountain West regular-season title and be favored at home in the conference tournament. The bar should be set higher than that, but until the Rebels beat some Top 25 opponents, they are destined to be ripped by Dick Vitale once again.