Backcourt depth helping Rebels avoid more misery

Steve Addy

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 | 11:12 a.m.

Entering the season, the Rebels knew they would be in trouble if Kaspars Kambala struggled, and that has proved accurate.

They simply don't have enough frontcourt depth to thrive without significant contributions by their senior center. If he doesn't play well, the Rebels usually have to win by hook or crook.

But their backcourt has been a different story. Even with the belated debut of swingman Lou Kelly, the uneven play of freshman point guard Lafonte Johnson and a stubborn ankle sprain by backup Jevon Banks, the Rebels have muddled through.

They had to make up for another absent perimeter player in Sunday's 82-67 road victory over Old Dominion, because junior gunner Jermaine Lewis was sidelined with a sprained left ankle. He suited up for the game after suffering the injury in practice Saturday, but didn't play.

But Lewis has been slumping anyway, shooting 8-of-24 in the Rebels' previous three victories, and they did not miss him against ODU. He is likely to return Wednesday night when the Rebels (7-5) host Loyola Marymount (4-7), seeking their fifth straight win.

"He drove the baseline, (Kambala) was there and they got tangled up," coach Max Good said of Lewis. "That's just the breaks of the game."

But UNLV did not let it become a costly break. With Danny Brotherson and Lou Kelly splitting the small forward minutes, and Trevor Diggs excelling at two-guard on both ends of the court, the Rebels were able to mask Lewis' absence.

It also helped that Johnson had his best game to date. Coming off the bench for the first time, having been replaced by Vince Booker as the starter, Johnson supplied nine points, six rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes. Instead of playing tentatively, he drove the lane aggressively.

"Not starting was probably best for me," Johnson said. "On the bench, I could see what the team was lacking and try to give it to us."

Sunday was Johnson's turn to come out of the bullpen, but Booker and Kelly have given good relief appearances, and Banks was filling in nicely at the point before getting injured against Oklahoma State six games ago.

Booker fouled out in 15 minutes against Old Dominion, but it was his first poor game in a while. He had 11 points off the bench in a Dec. 22 win over Pepperdine and then scored nine in last week's victory over Monmouth, providing needed court leadership in both games.

Kelly has played only four games -- the Rebels have won all four -- and has provided a scoring spark twice. Against Pepperdine, he scored 12 points in 11 first-half minutes, and Sunday he scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half.

The Rebels' backcourt depth could be boosted this week if Banks returns. His ankle is coming around and he could be ready for Loyola Marymount.