Umeh’s knees still a sore spot

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006 | 8:25 a.m.

While UNLV junior guard Michael Umeh awaits a firm diagnosis on his sore right knee, he said he remembers feeling pain in both knees as early as last summer.

"My knees have been bothering me this whole season," he said. "It's just happened over time, a wear-and-tear type of thing. The right knee is where they're not clear what's going on."

Umeh, 21, tweaked his right knee during a spill against Southern Utah at the Thomas & Mack Center on New Year's Eve.

"I was definitely scared," he said. "Whatever I did, I aggravated it."

After being diagnosed with a bone chip in that knee, Umeh missed two games before playing four in a row. Against Air Force last Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack, Umeh visibly favored his right knee in the final minutes of the first half.

"Mike is tough," sophomore swingman Curtis Terry said. "You could tell something wasn't right by his body language."

Umeh did not play in the second half against the Falcons. In dapper street clothes and a tie Saturday, he clapped and cheered on the bench, then in the locker room, after UNLV scored the final 12 points in a 67-56 victory against New Mexico.

SUBHED: Well done, Wendell

Wendell White, a junior forward who became eligible after the fall semester, downplayed his breakthrough 16-point performance off the bench against New Mexico.

"I'm happy about it," he said. "My teammates found me at the right time. So, really, give them all the credit."

White had tallied 60 points in 11 games as a Rebel before sinking eight of his 10 attempts in 20 minutes against the Lobos.

After dropping about 10 pounds, he now carries about 225 on his 6-foot-6 frame and said his stamina is about 90 percent of where he wants it to be. He hopes to be in peak condition for the Mountain West Conference tournament.

SUBHED: Not exactly alike

At times, Curtis Terry is surprised how much he acts like older brother Jason, a point guard for the Dallas Mavericks.

"If you see us hanging out, you'll see a lot of similarities," Curtis Terry said. "The way we act, our mannerisms and stuff. I see it myself, and it's kinda creepy."

The two, however, do not share superstitions. Since his days at Arizona, Jason Terry has worn his jersey to bed the night before a game. The day of the game, he only eats chicken fingers.

Curtis Terry used to rub lotion all over his body before a game. Before the last two, though, he forgot; one was a victory, the other was a defeat. He continues to shower at home before leaving for the arena.

"That's my thinking space," he said.

SUBHED: Also noted

* Terry quietly produced a career-best seven assists against New Mexico and his 36 minutes tied a career high. Against New Mexico, the walk-on also started his 14th consecutive game.

* In seven games spelling Umeh in the first five, rookie guard Jo'Van Adams has shot .493 from the field and .393 from beyond the 3-point arc, averaging 13.3 points and 33 minutes. He has 21 assists and 18 turnovers.

* New Mexico forward David Chiotti was impressed with how hard, together and unselfish the Rebels played. "Our plan was to out-execute them," Chiotti said. "But their pressure and denials just made it hard for us."

* UNLV plays its first league game at Fort Worth, Texas, against Mountain West newcomer Texas Christian on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The game won't be televised. The Rebels lead the all-time series, 4-1. UNLV hosts Wyoming at 7 p.m. Saturday in a game scheduled for Las Vegas One.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com.