Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV point guards set brisk pace

Dean Juipe

Friday, March 8, 2002 | 10:23 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

They're the catalysts, the engines that drive a pair of teams that have exceeded expectations.

Constance Jinks is the point guard for the Lady Rebels and Marcus Banks handles the point for the UNLV men's team, and each sets an inspirational example for those around them.

In fact, in both cases their teammates appear to have adopted these particular players' hard-nosed approach to the sport. The Lady Rebels have become a thoroughly enjoyable team to watch and the Rebels are just as entertaining, in large part because an all-out style permeates from the point and seems to be infectious.

Jinks and Banks, both juniors, have made this something of a memorable season at UNLV, regardless of how their teams do today.

The Lady Rebels, 22-6, are matched with nationally ranked Colorado State in a Mountain West Conference tournament second-round afternoon game at the Thomas & Mack Center, while the Rebels, 19-9, tackle Utah in a semifinal game that tips off at 9.

Should either UNLV team win, it could translate into an NCAA Tournament berth; the Lady Rebels might even advance with a loss, given their stellar record and earlier win over CSU.

The Rebels, of course, will be thoroughly scrutinized as soon as they take the floor tonight, just to see if they still have their legs. Thursday night's 120-117 double-overtime win over New Mexico was exhausting and potentially debilitating, given the maximum effort that was required to finally pin the Lobos down.

Coach Charlie Spoonhour believes his players can ratchet up their energy level and meet the challenge, and he remarked after the New Mexico game that his players are at an age where they can do such physically challenging things. He also knows he has a workaholic at the point and that Banks will do his utmost to get his teammates to respond.

Few if any in the crowd, however, will hold it against the Rebels if they come up short. Not that Utah didn't have to exert itself as well in holding off Colorado State in that first-round game, but it was nothing like the intensity and pressure that UNLV encountered in its marathon with New Mexico.

The clock was nearing midnight before the outcome was resolved, although the Rebels have only themselves to blame for prolonging a celebration that was curtailed only by the knowledge that they have to turn right around and do it again. Three missed free throws -- one by Chris Richardson and two, unfortunately, by Banks -- in the final 44 seconds of regulation forced the first overtime, and another missed free throw by Banks with six seconds showing contributed to the need for a second overtime.

But Banks had 26 points to compliment the 35 from Lou Kelly, the 16 from Dalron Johnson and the double-figure output of Richardson, Jevon Banks and Omari Pearson as the Rebels prevailed in a game that few in the raucous crowd will easily forget.

The pace, particularly in the first half, was absolutely electrifying.

But that's how Marcus Banks has played all season, forcing the ball to the basket and pushing his teammates to be involved. No doubt about it, he's a tough guy.

And Jinks, on the women's side, is just as hearty.

They've earned our respect.