Fans try to get inside coach’s head

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007 | 7:08 a.m.

What: UNLV at TCU

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

TV: the mtn., Cox cable channel 334

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Also: The "Lon Kruger Radio Show" airs on KBAD from 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays most weeks; plus Jan. 31 and Feb. 14.

Jordie Primack recently became very impressed with UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger.

A season-ticket holder for 21 years, Primack regularly attends the broadcast of Kruger's weekly radio show from the Turf Grill, next to the Green Valley Ranch Station Casino race and sports book.

During the show a few weeks ago, Kruger revealed the psychological side of his job.

Someone called in and asked Kruger what had changed with senior swingman Wendell White, who has turned into a focused offensive player this season. The coach explained that he told White how the opposition "would rather see you shoot outside."

"It was a great way of saying what Lon wanted to convey, without being negative," Primack said, "without coming out and saying, 'Don't shoot from the outside.' "

The coach's show, which is hosted by Jon Sandler and former Rebel Glen Gondrezick, appears to be a barometer of fan interest.

Earlier in the season, only a handful would show up to see the coach. But the Rebels surged to a 15-4 record, and Primack was among two dozen avid UNLV fans who turned out to watch Monday night.

It's been bigger, Primack noted, but the show recently switched to Mondays and fans haven't quite adjusted. Also, assistant coach Steve Henson was filling in for Kruger, who was on a recruiting trip to Kansas City, Mo.

Henson fielded inquiries from the hosts, the audience in the grill and by phone. At one point, Kruger checked in from Kansas City. "If you think it's cold there in Las Vegas ...," Kruger said.

Another of the attendees, Craig Keyser, has been attending Rebels basketball games for five years. He said he senses a surge in attention and interest.

"Fans are getting more involved and more vocal," Keyser, 61, said. "The turnout for the BYU game was fantastic."

Even after two road defeats, a season-high 12,946 fans turned out Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center to see UNLV - without injured spark plug Kevin Kruger - beat Brigham Young, 83-75.

The previous two games drew big crowds: 11,359 watched the Rebels beat Minnesota, and 12,369 witnessed UNLV's rousing double-overtime victory against Utah.

Henson, who played point guard for Lon Kruger at Kansas State, addressed a variety of topics during the show - defensive pressure being a mainstay of the squad, Corey Bailey's emergence against the Cougars and the benefit of having a full week off to allow Kevin Kruger's deep thigh bruise to heal.

The assistant coach also said freshman floor general Marcus Lawrence, shooting 28 percent this season, will keep defenses more honest as he straightens out his shot.

During his stint on the phone, Kruger said Saturday's game at Texas Christian might be a good time to employ a zone defense. A caller pressed Henson on what type of zone Kruger might unveil. A 2-3? A 1-2-2?

Maybe a 2-3, Henson said. Maybe a 1-3-1.

"But whatever it is, we have to work at it," he said. "We have to communicate and block out. It's not as easy as it sounds."

Primack, a 60-year-old real-estate broker, started going to Rebels games when he moved from Denver 21 years ago. He returned to Denver and attended the Mountain West Conference tournament, at the staid Pepsi Center, the past three seasons. He said he's happy the event returns to the Thomas & Mack this season. He's even more excited about the team that regularly plays in the arena.

"We feel it," Primack said. "One-time season-ticket holders, who don't have tickets anymore, are standing in line to buy tickets. We're getting excited again. Everyone appreciates the effort by the players and the coaches."