Talented Bandits struggling to remain above .500 mark

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001 | 10:31 a.m.

Figuring out the Las Vegas Bandits has been challenging for outside observers and equally puzzling even to those on the team.

Based on talent alone, the Bandits could be the class of the International Basketball League, yet they are 7-5 and in second place in the IBL's West Division behind defending champion St. Louis.

When the Bandits play the way they are capable of playing, the results are lopsided victories. When only some of the Bandits show up to play, the results are embarrassing losses.

"I don't know what it is," Bandits point guard Eddie Gill said. "We sometimes fall into a lull or sleepwalk out there.

"It could be a combination of things. We just need to come out and focus and not think the team is going to lay down for us."

That's the attitude Las Vegas needs to have today when it hosts St. Louis (6-1) at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Swarm's only loss came in the team's season opener against the Bandits on Dec. 9.

The Bandits return home after splitting two games at New Mexico. Las Vegas is 1-1 this year against the Swarm with both games played at St. Louis.

Gill, averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 assists per game, is hopeful that the Bandits will play at full speed tonight and Friday night, when the team hosts St. Louis again.

"We're pretty confident going into both games," Gill said. "We beat them the first time.

"The second time, we didn't come out with a good showing. It's not a big strategic plan we have. It's about effort."

J.R. Henderson leads the Bandits in scoring at 17.2 points followed by Isaac Burton with 15 points per game, and Gill and Mike Jones with 14.2 points.

The first 1,000 fans will receive free fight posters and a chance to win tickets to see the Floyd Mayweather-Diego Corrales super featherweight fight Jan. 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.