Two warm-ups left for UNLV

Steve Addy

Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 | 9:19 a.m.

WHAT: Tennessee State (3-6) at UNLV (5-4)

WHEN: Friday, 7:35 p.m.

WHERE: Thomas & Mack

TV: None

RADIO: KBAD 920-AM

On paper, this should be UNLV's easiest weekend of the season, but it doesn't mean coach Charlie Spoonhour is allowing his team a deep, holiday exhale.

Though the Rebels are past the toughest part of their nonconference schedule and host two soft opponents this weekend, this is their last chance to get ready for the 14-game Mountain West season.

They begin MWC play on Jan. 5, a week earlier than most league teams, so if the Rebels want to eliminate their lingering problems, they'll have to do it Friday against Tennessee State and Sunday against Old Dominion.

Neither team ought to give the Rebels (5-4) much trouble. Tennessee State, coached by Nolan Richardson III, son of the longtime Arkansas coach, is only 1-6 against Division I competition, while Old Dominion has a 6-4 record with few notable wins.

Despite all indications of a worry-free weekend, Spoonhour made certain to impart a sense of urgency on Wednesday. Instead of using the games to gussy up their stats, he wants his players to address nagging errors on both ends, especially rushed shots and poor defensive rotation.

"We need to use these games wisely to get ready for the conference," Spoonhour said. "We start out against the team that's favored to win it (Wyoming) and then go on the road (to Air Force) with one day to prepare. That's not the best (schedule) and we better get ready."

Spoonhour had said he might alter his lineup, presumably by inserting Lou Kelly, but he is more likely to bring him off the bench a little earlier, especially if the Rebels get off to a slow start, which has happened often.

"We'll change how quickly some people come in and how long they'll stay," he said. "What I'm looking for is consistency and more solid defense."

No matter how the Rebels play, Tennessee State poses little threat. The Tigers' only win over a Division I club was Nov. 24 vs. Evansville (101-78). They are in the midst of 12 road games in a 13-game span, going 0-6 so far. Their top scorer is senior forward Kyle Rolston (13.3).

This is the Rebels' first game against Tennessee State, and they don't meet again next year.

Barrett met with Spoonhour on Wednesday, then told reporters he is pondering various destinations for Turner, who has played 38 minutes in six appearances. TCU, Rutgers and Clemson are potential landing spots, he said.

"If it doesn't get better, I'm going to pull him out of here," Barrett said. "They're going to have to re-recruit Ernest to make him stay. This might not be the right place for him."

Asked if he felt Spoonhour was trying to make Turner transfer, Barrett said, "I think so."

But Spoonhour said Turner has to earn more minutes with better practices, and denied wanting to part with the freshman from Magnolia, N.J.

"If there was ever a point we wanted to run someone off, it would be very apparent," he said. "I would tell them. I wouldn't do it any other way."

Though Turner conceded he must work harder, he said he is puzzled by the way Spoonhour has played him. His longest stint was 17 minutes against Nicholls State, and he scored 12 points. His next longest stint is six minutes, and he hasn't played in three games.

"I'm concerned," Turner said. "I didn't think I would come in and play 40 minutes a game, but I came here to play. I didn't think it was going to go like this."

UNLV went to bat for Turner when his SAT test score fell short of NCAA qualifying standards, winning an initial eligibility appeal so he could play this season.

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