Kruger gets his team up and running

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 10:01 a.m.

After a rout of four exhibition opponents in Canada and five weeks of individual conditioning drills, new UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger believes the start of practice Saturday arrives at a perfect time.

Like most college players, he said, the Rebels want to run. Many collegiate programs, however, lack UNLV's rich link to that up-tempo style.

"Just now, we're starting to enjoy the process," Kruger said. "Everyone says they want to run. It's the glamorous thing to do, but it takes a commitment to conditioning. This group is realizing how one is tied to the other."

Thanks to the relentless effort of Jason Kabo, an assistant coordinator for strength and conditioning.

"They're starting to realize there is a price that goes with success," Kruger said. "At first, you kind of wonder. Then you start to like it. I don't think you can have a good team if you don't understand the process, the investment necessary during the preparation.

"They need to (run) to be most effective. We'll always do what allows them to be effective. This group pushes the ball and can pressure defensively. It can convert turnovers into transition points, and it takes a great effort to do that."

The Kruger era officially begins Saturday at 9 a.m., when he presides over his first practice of the 2004-05 season at the Thomas & Mack Center. It should last about two hours, allowing the hoopsters to attend the Rebels' football game against New Mexico at noon at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Then it's back at the Mack for another basketball session at 4 p.m.

"Anytime something is new there's always a little more excitement, a little more anticipation," Kruger said. "It's kind of a new challenge. It's the first year in a new situation, which adds to that."

Kruger, 52, was hired to replace Charlie Spoonhour, who cited health reasons when he left the program in February, after last season, when the Rebels went 18-13. They went to the NIT in each of Spoonhour's three seasons, winning only one game.

Kruger said he speaks with Spoonhour every few weeks, with the main topic being baseball. An all-around sports athlete from Topeka, Kan., Kruger was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974. Spoonhour is a lifelong Cardinals fan.

Kruger said he expects Spoonhour to regularly attend practices and games.

"Charlie's clubs have always been sound and solid, and this group will benefit from that," Kruger said. "We'll benefit from that as a coaching staff, too. You have no control over what you inherit, and Charlie's clubs have always had a good work ethic.

"We've inherited much different situations in the past. Charlie said he's looking forward to seeing these guys, and I'm excited that Charlie's enjoying (life)."

Kruger signed a five-year deal worth approximately $3.8 million. He has an 18-year record of 318-233 as a college coach, including a Final Four appearance with Florida in 1994.

His core group of UNLV returnees includes point guard Jerel Blassingame, swingman Romel Beck and forward Odartey Blankson, all seniors.

Kruger wants Blassingame, a 5-foot-10 spitfire, to lead as much as he scores, and he expects Beck to be more aware of what's going on around him without losing any of his scorer's drive.

During the Rebels' summertime jaunt through British Columbia, in which they won their four games by an average of 25 points, Kruger said Michael Umeh's shooting touch and John Winston's aggressiveness impressed him.

The most impressive Rebel, though, might be Blankson, who has Mountain West Conference-MVP ability. He openly criticized his teammates and coaches last season, but Spoonhour never directly confronted him about his tack.

Neither has Kruger, who said he has only spoken about such issues before the entire team.

"It's important that (players) say things, but we need to say them in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time," Kruger said. "We encourage that, but my philosophy is to keep it behind closed doors. It's family business.

"There's a right time and a wrong time ... that's not just with a basketball team but in the business world, too. It's helping them prepare for life after college. You don't advance in the business world if you pop off or say things at the wrong time to your boss, or his boss."