UNLV hoops notebook: Players suspect practice gym a factor

By Ryan Greene, Rob Miech

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

It might not have made a difference. UNLV coach Lon Kruger said as much.

But two Rebels said playing on the Thomas & Mack Center court for the first time in nearly two weeks might have had something to do with Tuesday night’s less-than-spectacular effort.

UNLV defeated Division-II Washburn, 74-56, after turning a two-point lead into somewhat of a rout over the last six minutes.

The Rebels hadn’t played on their own court, in their own building, in nearly two weeks, due to the Pro Bull Riders tour that took over the Mack.

UNLV was bumped to the Cox Pavilion practice gym, nicknamed The Dungeon by students.

“Getting used to the other gym, then to come back here … it’s a little different,” said senior forward Joe Darger, who shot 1-for-8 from the field. “A lot of guys kinda struggled in here.”

Freshman center Brice Massamba made the only shot -- a bunny in which he converted a three-point play -- he attempted in the game.

“Could be,” he said of having trouble shooting in the Mack after being away for a while. “We haven’t been practicing in here very much. But we’ll be ready Saturday.”

The Rebels start their season Saturday, at 2:30 p.m., against San Diego in the Mack.

A Kruger team?

UNLV has cherished each possession under Lon Kruger, especially over the past two seasons.

Its low turnover rate guided it to the Sweet 16 two years ago and the second round of the NCAAs in March.

During a six-game summer tour of Australia, however, UNLV had 68 assists and committed 100 turnovers.

That trend continued Tuesday when the Rebels had 13 assists and turned it over 22 times.

From his perspective

Senior forward Rene Rougeau had a pretty good game for someone who went 2-for-3 from the field and ended with five points.

Take a closer look at the box.

He also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, stole four passes, blocked three shots and had three assists, and he only turned the ball over once in 32 minutes.

Rougeau was asked about freshman Oscar Bellfield and third-year sophomore Tre’Von Willis, who split the duties at the point against Washburn.

“It's just a matter of them being able to settle down,” Rougeau said. “They can't let the defense get them sped up. It's the first time they've really played college point guard.

“I'm not surprised that happened at first, but they controlled themselves and ran the team pretty well towards the end.”

The big debut

Well, that will come Saturday against San Diego.

Tuesday did offer fans their first glimpse of 7-foot freshman Beas Hamga in an organized game, on the Thomas & Mack Center court and against another team.

He missed his only shot, grabbed a rebound and blocked a shot.

Kruger frequently talks with Hamga about not being concerned with the expectations of others, that he has the luxury of progressing at his own pace.

That is, the pace that Kruger sets for him. Nobody else’s opinion matters.

“I think we were a little nervous,” Hamga said. “We just have to run our offense and play good defense. But I thought we played a lot more together in the second half.

“It’s our first game. I know we can play better than that. And I’m ready to go.”

Kruger’s three-headed center (Hamga, Massamba and starter Darris Santee) combined to go 2-for-7 from the field, with eight rebounds and 10 points.

Finally

Washburn coach Bob Chipman provided the quote of the evening when yet another questionable call, to him, was called on one of his players.

UNLV was starting to peel away, at 59-51, and Rene Rougeau walked to the free-throw line with less than five minutes left.

To get an official’s attention, Chipman yelled “Yo!” The official turned. Then Chipman barked, “Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!”