Rivals state their case

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 | 9:30 a.m.

THE GAME: UNLV at UNR.

WHEN: Saturday, 8:05 p.m.

WHERE: Lawlor Events Center, Reno.

TV: KFBT (6).

RADIO: 920-AM.

STORY LINE: There is no cannon at stake, but this is a big rivalry game nonetheless. UNR is trying to build on last season's tournament run and reassert itself as "state champion."

UNLV coach Lon Kruger has taken part in more than his share of rivalries as both a player and coach.

"I grew up with Kansas and Kansas State," Kruger said. "That one was very intense. When I was at Florida, Georgia was always a big rival. And at Illinois we had a few of them ... border states like Iowa and Indiana, and also Michigan."

On Saturday night in Reno, Kruger will experience the in-state rivalry between UNLV (2-1) and UNR (3-1) for the first time in his career. And he's looking forward to it.

"Oh, sure you do," Kruger said. "I think the players enjoy playing in those types of games. The intensity and the enthusiasm will be high."

UNLV has dominated the series over the years, holding a 48-17 edge including 20-12 at Lawlor Events Center. But the Wolf Pack scored a 74-62 win against the Rebels last year in Las Vegas en route to a 25-9 record and a Sweet Sixteen apperance.

Three key starters from that team, including 2003-04 WAC player of the year Kirk Snyder, have moved on from that squad. Another player expected to be a key starter, guard Marcelus Kemp, is out for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the summer. And coach Trent Johnson moved on to Stanford to replace his mentor, Mike Montgomery, on The Farm and was replaced by assistant Mark Fox.

Still, UNR is expected to make another run at an NCAA berth this year thanks to a talented front line led by 6-foot-11 sophomore forward Nick Fazekas (21.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and 6-foot-10 senior forward Kevinn Pinkney (9.8 pph, 6.0 rpg).

"I think our players know how good a team we're playing," Kruger said.

The Wolf Pack will be trying to bounce back from an embarrassing nationally televised 85-52 loss at Kansas on Monday night.

"It's one game," Fox told the Reno Gazette-Journal when asked about playing the Rebels. "It's important to us. It's important to UNLV. It's important to our fans. It's not more important than this game (against Kansas). We try to play well every night. I don't think this game changes our outlook."