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twitterREBELS BASKETBALL:
UNLV hoops notebook: Tape shows turnaround in El Paso
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008 | 2:09 a.m.
UNLV head coach Lon Kruger gives instructions during a timeout.
The Rebel Room
UTEP POSTGAME: Victory on Glory Road
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Ryan Greene and Rob Miech discuss UNLV's passing of its first road test of the season Monday night at UTEP. The Rebels were powered by the backcourt trio of Wink Adams, Tre'Von Willis and Oscar Bellfield. Plus, the guys look inside at Lon Kruger's ever-solidifying rotation now that audition time appears to be done.
Next game
- Opponent: California
- Where: Thomas & Mack
- When: Friday, Nov. 28, 5 p.m.
UNLV’s brain trust reviewed tape of the Rebels’ stunning turnaround in El Paso and was even more pleased with the effort displayed by the veteran players.
They turned a 13-point deficit into a 13-point victory Monday in their first road game of the season to improve to 5-0.
“In all honesty, I think we skipped a phase,” said UNLV assistant coach Greg Grensing. “Usually, you have to lose one of those to make progress.
“But the seniors just have such high expectations of what they want to do. They’re determined to kind of inflict their will, not only on their teammates but on the other team.”
Grensing repeated a line used by fifth-year Rebels coach Lon Kruger.
The players grew up over the course of 40 minutes.
“The first 13 minutes, they were more aggressive,” Kruger said. “They initiated contact. Then we became the initiators. We realized we can’t not initiate contact to get the results we want.
“We’re not a physical group, by nature. It’s an area we have to improve in.”
Was it the shoes?
Kruger didn’t even know what his players were going to wear Monday night until he saw them jog out of a tunnel wearing black Nikes.
Before the season, several players asked him if they could switch gears on the road. They usually wear white shoes at home.
Whatever you guys want to do, he told them, as long as everyone wears the same style. “As long as it’s a team thing,” Kruger said.
Rocky Rutledge, an assistant director of athletic equipment, arranged the black sneakers for the Rebels.
“We bugged coach before the season, and he was cool with it,” said power forward Mo Rutledge. “It’s just a look. We didn’t want to wear white away. Nothing big."
Rutledge and fellow senior Wink Adams were the only Rebels who wore the black Nikes for Wednesday’s practice.
“I definitely like the look,” Rutledge said. “I always wear the black in practice.”
The Iron Chef
Once again, Kruger’s wife, Barb, is orchestrating a Thanksgiving feast today at their Anthem Country Club estate.
Including the UNLV players, assistant coaches and their families, and other friends and relatives, about 50 are expected for the dinner.
Lon Kruger figured four turkeys and two hams, along with all the typical Thanksgiving fare, will be served.
“She will have some assistance,” he said. “It will be typical. She doesn’t know anything different. It’s been that way for the past 30 years. We wouldn’t know what to do if we only had eight for Thanksgiving.”
Injury update
Sophomore guard Tre’Von Willis said after Wednesday’s practice that his sore right shoulder is still at “72 percent” capacity, as he told the Sun after Monday’s game.
Why so precise? Because, he said after the victory over the Miners, it felt 7 percent better than the 65 percent he had earlier reported to the Sun.
He recently slightly separated the shoulder, which is his dominant side, coming off a screen. It would have felt better, he said, but he banged it against someone Wednesday.
However, Willis said with a sly smile, it didn’t feel any worse. So he kept it at 72 percent.
Discussion: 6 comments so far…
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Next Basketball Game
Nov. 25, 7:00 p.m. (PST)
- UNLV: Schedule & Stats | Roster
- Holy Cross: Schedule & Stats | Roster
- Location: Thomas & Mack Center
- NCAA: Odds | Schedule | Stats
Next Football Game
Nov. 28, 6:00 p.m. (PST)
- UNLV: Schedule & Stats | Roster
- San Diego State: Schedule & Stats | Roster
- Location: Sam Boyd Stadium
- Tickets: UNLV Tickets
- NCAA: Odds | Schedule | Stats
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Rob, Tuesday night I saw the Tre'von Willis I had hoped to see from the very beginning. Quick of the dribble blowing by defenders and knocking down outside shots. Hopefully it will be a trend that continues. Actually seeing them in action for the first I was obviously impressed with the guard play and it was great to see them come back from some adversity on the road. The one negative, which didn't really surprise me as I have expected it from the beginning of practice was the lack of interior scoring.
Agreed, the guard play was great. Gives us a foundation for the next few years w/out wink. Can see willis and Bellfield on the floor together alot as thy both seem to be able to create thier own shots as well as dish. Lets whip CAL. Go Rebs
The guard play and the seniors were outstanding roth... the interior play will come along. Remember, they are all new. While O and Tre are new, too, it's a different world down there getting banged around and hacked and all that. Look at that 7-2 285-pound galut that UTEP had. He only scored three points, and on a bomb from beyond the arc, at that! That being said, it's apparent how comfortable Kruger and the team is with a three-guard set. Remember, too, how often last season he made other teams play down to his size becuase of the matchup problems that lineup created. Get ready, it'll be another fun season.
Remember this, too -- UNLV loses Wink next season but Jasper joins. The three-guard set will continue to be devastating. Enjoy
The black sneaks, circa 1990-91. Put a big smile on my face to see that Monday night. I hope they continue the trend, they look extra tough wearing those.
No doubt, Gray. Look for them on every road trip. Quite a throwback team, almost, huh? thx
Geez ... put away the pom poms, dude. Or did you fill up on the Kruger kool-aid?