TAKE FIVE: RICKY MORGAN

Wednesday, March 8, 2006 | 9:42 a.m.

In a blink of an eye - or the break of a bone in Jason Petrimoulx's left foot last week at New Mexico - senior point guard Ricky Morgan became UNLV's floor general.

Morgan had one game, Saturday's 72-61 victory over Texas Christian at the Thomas & Mack Center, to warm up to the team's most important role before this week's Mountain West Conference tournament in Denver.

Then again, it isn't new to him. He started at the point in the final 12 games of last season and the first five of 2005-06.

Saturday, he scored 16 points, handed out nine assists and committed six turnovers.

"It's something I'm comfortable with," Morgan said. "(Saturday) helped. It let my teammates know that I'm prepared. It's not easy, but because I've done it before makes it less strenuous on me than a guy like Wendell (White) or some of the new guys."

Ricky Morgan File

Age: 23

Hometown: Pontiac, Mich.

Size: 6 feet, 200 pounds

Family: Mother, Sandra; father, Ricky Sr.; sister, Samekka Wade.

High school: As a senior, led Pontiac Northern High to a 23-4 record and Class A (large schools) state title when he averaged 15 points and almost 10 assists. Northern went 62-12 during his three seasons as its starting point guard.

College: Played his freshman season at Iowa State, starting 11 times, before leaving in fall 2002. Led Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich., to a 27-4 record and state junior college title before transferring to UNLV.

1. Idols

Growing up in Michigan, Morgan was a fan of the "Bad Boys," the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early '90s. He wears No. 11 as a tribute to Isiah Thomas. He hated Michael Jordan. "Until I got old enough and smart enough to realize that he's the best player to ever touch a basketball," Morgan said.

2. Almost

Morgan gave a verbal commitment to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo out of high school, then backed out. The Spartans, who won the national championship in 2000, already had Marcus Taylor at the point. Taylor left after his sophomore season. "Sometimes, I look back ... (but) it wasn't meant to be," Morgan said. "I'm looking forward."

3. Bye, bye Ames

He barely lasted a year at Iowa State under fiery ex-coach Larry Eustachy before heading to Paris (Texas) Junior College and then home. He was homesick and immature. "I hadn't realized the things you needed to do off the court, like resting and eating properly, to be successful."

4. Thanks, Coach Kruger

After guiding Schoolcraft to that state championship, Morgan was wooed by Texas A&M-Coprus Christi. Wisconsin and Houston inquired, then backed off. Lon Kruger, fresh off accepting the UNLV job, liked what he saw. "He offered, welcomed me with open arms, and I accepted," Morgan said.

5. First priority

When the Rebels begin play in Denver, Morgan knows his main task will be keeping his teammates mentally involved in the games. "I have to keep their confidence high," he said. "I'm one of the older guys on the team, so I'm expected to step up. That's OK. I embrace the challenge. I have to make them feel as important as me."