Kruger’s court is a classroom

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004 | 10:24 a.m.

Never one to temper his words or pull a punch, Odartey Blankson responded bluntly to an inquiry on the difference in current UNLV practices under new coach Lon Kruger compared to last season under Charlie Spoonhour.

"Yeah, it is to me," he said. "It feels different."

When asked to elaborate, Blankson, a versatile 6-foot-7 forward from the Chicago area who turns 23 the day before Selection Sunday in March, followed suit.

"There's a much bigger concept," he said. "They're teaching us, (rather) than (the players) just coming out here and just playing hard. We have to not only play hard, we have to think and help each other out at the same time.

"Yeah, it's much different, in terms of learning. Every day, it's sort of like I'm getting better and we are, as a team. In that sense, I'd say it's much different. It's like on-the-job training."

Friday ends the second full week of practice under Kruger, who frequently halts practice to point out the slightest details of wing defense or slipping under top-of-the-key screens.

The Rebels also appear to be communicating with each other much more on defense, courtesy of the demands of Kruger and assistants Steve Henson, Lew Hill and Marvin Menzies.

"Coach Kruger and his staff make sure that we understand exactly where they're coming from," Blankson said, "exactly what they want us to do in terms of running the floor, seeing open teammates, rebounding the basketball and getting down (defensively) and talking to each other."

Blankson, the preseason favorite for Mountain West Conference MVP honors in a recent media poll, isn't the only Rebel who noted a marked difference between the practice styles of Kruger and Spoonhour.

"Well, everything is learning and teaching with (Kruger)," said senior point guard Jerel Blassingame. "I've learned a lot already playing for (Kruger) in this amount of time. Every day you learn something new with coach.

"That's big for me, 'cause I'm looking to play on the next level. I know he's been there and he knows what it takes to get there. In practice, he brings his all and I bring my all, and I try to learn every day."

Kruger spent nearly three seasons coaching the Atlanta Hawks, and he served part of last season as an assistant with the New York Knicks.

At the end of Tuesday's 2 1/2-hour run at the North Gym on campus, Blankson drilled a free throw -- giving it a twist of body English and falling back on his rear as it dropped through the net -- to keep the Rebels from running an extra two minutes of line drills.

Until then, they had rattled off plenty of line-running minutes.

Blankson had a few issues last season, which he did not hide. One was the team's slow-down tempo. So far, conditioning -- to be in shape to run -- appears to be a Kruger priority.

"From the sideline, it might appear that we're getting worn out," he said. "But, you know, at the same time, we're trying to meet our own expectations as well as the coaches'. It feels like we're learning and going hard.

"At the same time, it's kind of like we're being tricked a little bit ... we should be dead (tired), but we're not. We know the things we need to work on. A runnin' team has to run every day and every play, can't take plays or days off. We understand that."

He averaged 17.6 points and 10.2 rebounds last season, led the team by playing 34.3 minutes a game and tied for team-high honors with 1.2 steals a game.

Blankson is at his best when he can float around and be unpredictable, which is predicated upon having a post player or two do the dirty work underneath the basket to free Blankson.

J.K. Edwards was adequate at center. Now, junior college transfers Joel Anthony (6-9, 240 pounds) and Dustin Villepigue (6-9, 235) join junior Louis Amundson (6-9, 230) in the post.

"Joel plays hard and works hard running the floor," Blankson said. "He's a good shot blocker and a great finisher. Dustin runs the floor well and talks very well on defense, and he plays around the basket well, too. He's also a great passer out of the post.

"But what I want to do is play where I'm needed. Coach needs me to play at 4 (power forward), then I do it. If he needs me to play out on a wing, if our big guys are productive and doing well, then I'll play out on the wing. It's not about me, it's about the team and trying to win ballgames."