Even practice drawing fans

By Rob Miech

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 | 2 a.m.

It’s standing room only at UNLV basketball practices, multiple TV crews accumulate B-roll footage and some Rebels conduct several interviews a day.

Fans want to pack the Thomas & Mack Center, or at least the lower bowl of the arena, to send them on their next trip in style.

Is it the middle of March? A triple-digit mirage in the desert?

The resurgence of a once-proud program has been on display as UNLV coach Lon Kruger prepares his players for a two-week tour of Australia.

After one session, the Rebels split up, walked around the perimeter of the court and shook the hands of a couple of hundred loyal followers.

“It is great to see,” Kruger says of the overflow crowd. “It’s something we don’t want our players to take for granted. A few years ago, it wasn’t like that.”

Under Kruger, UNLV has won the past two Mountain West Conference tournaments and won games in consecutive NCAA tournaments for the first time since 1991. That’s the foundation of the Rebels’ revival.

The previous dark period tortured Joe Spilotro, the publisher of a UNLV basketball Internet message board. He hasn’t missed a home game since 1985, and he has attended every practice for next week’s trip to Australia.

“I was more numb than anything, even jaded,” says Spilotro, 39. “I’m grateful for what Kruger has given back to me.”

Kruger, 55, cultivates community relationships like a mayor, and he acknowledges that opening these practices to the public surprised a few fans.

It might also surprise them to learn that Kruger has expanded his blueprint for success by delving into marketing and promotions because of athletic department budget shortfalls.

In addition, he enlisted D.J. Allen to build and maintain a Web site, CoachKruger.com, to provide fans with information and more interaction with him through occasional chats.

“People have good intentions and efforts,” Kruger says. “Still, when you’re hamstrung by resources a bit ... this opens up some opportunities.”

Kruger has pushed for season ticket sales to start two months earlier than last year. Various plans, starting at $90, will be available today.

“That hasn’t happened before,” Kruger says. “It’s an indication of the interest level. There aren’t many seats remaining on the lower level. When they’re gone, they’re gone.”

All of which has endeared Kruger, his assistants and players to a fan base that has been thirsting for such success and attention, and appears to be growing rapidly.

No doubt Spilotro speaks for many of them when he speaks beamingly about UNLV’s stingy defense, sound fundamentals and consistency. Shaking hands after practice and signing a shirt or a poster provides fans with an intangible link.

“That can turn a casual fan into a lifetime supporter,” he says.

Kruger also has embraced legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian, who put UNLV on the national map, and he welcomes former Rebels back into the fold.

“He has respect for our past,” Spilotro says. “That’s critical for the longtime fans. It has helped mend wounds that have scarred a segment of the community.”

Spilotro spent too many years worrying how a series of misguided coaches would correct downfalls and shortcomings.

“No more,” Spilotro says. “I’m at ease, and that’s no easy task. I’m convinced that Kruger and his staff are at UNLV to win big. The fans get that feeling, too.”

Kruger is convinced that the fans’ sterling support has put an extra hop in his players’ steps over the past week as they execute plays, block out on defense and zip down on fast breaks.

And it’s just the middle of June.

“It’s good to see and we appreciate the support,” Kruger says. “I think fans like the effort of the team the past couple seasons, and they will like it again this season.”