Lewis’ season might go down the tube

Steve Addy

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 | 9:48 a.m.

Jermaine Lewis keeps the remote control handy when his UNLV teammates play on TV.

He just can't help it. He'd like to watch the whole game, but finds it easier to click back and forth, hoping something good will happen for the Rebels while he's channel surfing.

"If things aren't going well, I change the channel. I go back, then I change it again," Lewis said. "I watch the beginning and part of the second half, but not the end. I can't watch the end."

So far, tuning in has only compounded Lewis' frustration over his ongoing recovery from summer knee surgery. Not only are the Rebels 0-3 on the tube, losing every road game, but the senior swingman is powerless to help after averaging 9.3 points last season.

Lewis had better get used to watching every road game on TV. Though he began limited practice this week, he is leaning toward applying for an injury redshirt and coming back at full strength next season.

It could be mid-January before Lewis regains his lateral movement, learns the system and gets in game shape. By then, the Rebels would be 15 games into a 27-game schedule, and Lewis sees no sense in burning his last year of eligibility on a half-season.

"I'm thinking about next season," the Houston native said. "I thought I'd be back by November, but I'm not back yet. It will be January at the earliest, and then I've got to learn the plays. After the conference starts, we won't have time to wait for me to catch up."

Though UNLV would have to find a spare scholarship for Lewis next season (if someone transfers, problem solved), an injury redshirt is usually a formality with the NCAA.

Coach Charlie Spoonhour said Lewis is free to return next season if he wants. With Georgetown transfer Demetrius Hunter also becoming eligible next fall, the Rebels should have a strong backcourt, assuming Marcus Banks and Ernest Turner make expected progress.

"We'll do whatever's best for Jermaine," Spoonhour said. "If we don't have him this year, we will certainly have him next year. But it's very much his call. Every redshirt I've ever had, it's been their decision that I've concurred with.

"If it stretches much past the first week in January, there's not much point (in playing this season). But there's no sense in worrying about it now, because he isn't near being ready. He won't do anything until he's in shape for (all-out) practice."

Lewis has participated only in straight-ahead running drills. He hasn't done any lateral movement or contact work.

"Going side-to-side doesn't really hurt, but I haven't done it in so long, I'm scared to let loose," he said. "That's probably going to take me the longest."

In the meantime, Lewis will watch the calendar and keep a fresh battery in the remote.