Kruger’s lineup will stay flexible

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004 | 10:02 a.m.

WHEN: Wednesday.

WHERE: UNLV.

VS.: EA All-Stars.

TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m.

Finally, UNLV is left with only one more exhibition basketball game, Wednesday night against the EA Sports All-Stars, before St. Mary's visits the Thomas & Mack Center next Tuesday to start the 2004-05 season.

Including a summertime junket in Canada, the Rebels have wiped out five exhibition foes. All of their victories have been by double figures, and new coach Lon Kruger spread the wealth two weeks ago.

Against the L.A. Stars, 11 UNLV players registered double digits in minutes, and Kruger played 14 Rebels.

That might continue Wednesday, but Kruger said he won't be taking notes, mental or otherwise, on how he might pare down that playing time when the games matter or even attempt to devise a rotation pattern.

He doesn't like to pigeon-hole himself.

"Every year, it's whoever desires to play and can get the results," Kruger said. "I've never been locked into a number at all. If there are nine guys who can get the results we want, we'll play nine. If it's seven, we'll play seven.

"I've never worried too much about that. The players dictate that, based on performance and results."

Kruger said he isn't settled on a starting lineup, either, although he quickly mitigated that statement.

He experimented with a big lineup against the Stars two weeks ago, starting a frontline of Odartey Blankson, a favorite for Mountain West Conference player-of-the-year honors, and Louis Amundson at forward, and newcomer Joel Anthony down low.

Jerel Blassingame, one of the most efficient point guards in the West if not the country, is as indispensable among the first five as Blankson, and sophomore Michael Umeh got the nod as Blassingame's shooting counterpart.

Romel Beck, a senior swingman, jumped off the bench to get 17 points on a team-high 14 shot attempts.

"Mike Umeh and Romel Beck, those guys are interchangeable and both deserve to be in there," Kruger said. "'O-dot' and Jerel, of course, will be in there. Those four guys will be on the perimeter. Dustin (Villepigue) and Joel Anthony and Louis will be on the inside, two of those three ... we'll rotate around those.

"But it's an ever-changing thing. I don't know if you ever really get that comfortable with that part of it. They're getting better, more consistent with their responsibilities and understanding of what each can do and needs to do. We've made progress in that area."

Amundson, Anthony, Blankson and Villepigue combined to score 41 points and grab 25 rebounds against the Stars on Nov. 5.

Pressed for one area in which he would like to see marked improvement in his players Wednesday, Kruger said he wants to hear that progress -- in defensive communication.

Beck has been particularly thrilled, so far, with the tightness of this team.

"This year, we're closer as a group," he said. "Last year, after practice, everyone would go off on his own. This season, it seems like we're doing more activities together ... going to ESPN Zone, having barbecues at coach's house.

"There's more bonding this year."

Kruger said he hasn't noticed anything but his players getting along well with each other in the eight months since he took over the program.

Those gatherings at Kruger's 5,847 square-foot abode on Palmbrook Lane in Anthem Country Club have not revolved around filet mignon and lobster tails on a top-of-the-line grill.

"They're big on chicken and pasta," Kruger said.

Not to mention feasting on exhibition opponents.