Fouls not curbing Amundson’s animation

Steve Addy

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002 | 10:23 a.m.

WHAT: DePaul (8-11) at UNLV (10-7)

WHEN: Sunday, 11 a.m.

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: ABC (Cable 13)

RADIO: KBAD 920-AM

Whenever coach Charlie Spoonhour summons Lou Amundson from UNLV's bench, he sends him to the scorer's table with the same parting thought: "Don't worry about fouls. Just play."

That's Spoonhour's way of ensuring maximum production from his 6-foot-7 backup center. He wants the freshman to relax, but not play delicately, because fresh legs and wide-eyed enthusiasm are his assets. A benign Amundson would only get in the way.

Amundson's aggressiveness has resulted in some cringe-worthy linescores, most memorably a seven-minute foul-out at Loyola Marymount on Dec. 15 and four fouls in 11 minutes at Washington on Nov. 28. He is the Rebels' most frequent fouler, committing one every 5.5 minutes.

"I'm just trying to bring a lot of energy," he said. "If they call a foul on me, they call a foul. I'm hoping that will take care of itself as I fit into more of a role."

But Amundson's most recent performances have shown he can play assertively despite foul trouble. Oddly enough, the more he fouls, the more productive he seems in other areas.

Two games ago against Colorado State, Amundson fouled out after 16 minutes, but with season highs of six points and three steals, along with five rebounds, his second-highest total in 15 appearances.

Then last Saturday at San Diego State, Amundson made greater strides in UNLV's 80-79 overtime win. His totals weren't gaudy -- 20 minutes, four points, two rebounds, two steals -- but he made the winning free throw after his own heads-up play in the final 10 seconds.

Of course Amundson had four fouls at the time. In fact, his fourth foul with 11.1 seconds left had allowed San Diego State to tie it 79-79. But he quickly atoned, outracing the defense downcourt, catching Jevon Banks' 40-foot pass and getting fouled. His first free throw attempt was the decider.

Amundson was only in the game because Dalron Johnson had fouled out with 1:31 to go. Amundson still had two fouls to spend, after all. But Spoonhour doesn't want him altering his game out of fear of fouling.

"He just needs to play. He doesn't need to change and be a feel-good kind of player. He needs to lay his ears back and get after it," Spoonhour said.

"Sometimes when you put a guy back in with four fouls, they're the worst player on the court. They're afraid, they change everything, and they're awful. I say, 'Go get 'em.' "

Amundson's season averages -- 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds a game -- don't accurately depict his value to the Rebels. Spoonhour is still starting a third guard (Lou Kelly) instead of a center, so Amundson has been splitting backup minutes with 6-8 sophomore Omari Pearson.

Over a five-game span from Dec. 30 to Jan. 15, Amundson played only 22 minutes, sitting out the BYU game. But his last two stints (16 and 20 minutes) have been his longest all season.

"Sometimes Louis gets caught in a numbers game," Spoonhour said. "But he plays so dadgum hard. Defensively he's caught on to things very well. He has a lot of energy, he chases the ball and he doesn't want to shoot it all the time. That's the perfect guy to have. He'll do all the hustle stuff."

With seven full days between games, the Rebels took Wednesday as their second day off this week. Their longest layoff for the rest of the season is four days between Feb. 18 at Colorado State and Feb. 23 vs. San Diego State. ...

Fans wearing NFL apparel to Sunday's game will receive plaza admission ($25) for balcony prices ($15).