A friendly reunion between Wallace, Kamp

By Ryan Greene (contact)

Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 | 2:10 a.m.

There was a time when the plan was for Kendall Wallace and Harper Kamp to play their college ball together.

Heck, why wouldn't they? The duo secured a spot in Arizona prep hoops history after their school became the first in 46 years to win three consecutive state titles. That feat was accomplished at Mountain View High between 2005 and 2007.

"He committed early to Cal, so that kind of ruined it," joked Wallace, now a sophomore guard at UNLV. "But we're cool still."

Any friendly exchanges between the former prep running mates, as they prepare to face each other for the first time as collegians, will end right around 5 p.m. Friday when the Rebels open the Global Sports Classic against the Golden Bears at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Though Lon Kruger's so-called audition period for his team ended prior to Monday night's 80-67 come-from-behind victory at UTEP, Wallace is still making a play to earn more minutes in the regular rotation.

He scored six points in the triumph over the Miners, including a key second-half 3-pointer. He's averaging 5.6 points per game while playing 10.6 minutes per outing, and is rediscovering his outside stroke after a slow start to the season.

As for Kamp, he's earned an extended role of his own after being named an honorable mention All-Freshman performer in the Pac 10 last season. Through four games for the undefeated Bears, he's playing 17.8 minutes per game, putting up modest numbers at 1.8 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game.

"I'm real excited about it," Wallace said. "I've been talking to him for the past couple of weeks, every other day. We're both really excited to play against each other, but I've got to make sure I come out with that win, get the bragging rights."

Cal untested

Lon Kruger had a chance to see his team react under fire Monday night in El Paso. Cal coach Mike Montgomery hasn't had that luxury yet.

"We have not really faced a team that's made us pay for our mistakes," Montgomery told the Oakland Tribune. "That's going to change here pretty quickly."

The Rebels and Bears have two common opponents in Texas-Pan American and North Carolina A&T.

UNLV defeated UTPA, 73-48, and A&T, 71-58.

As for Cal, it took out UTPA, 85-58, and A&T, 82-47, Monday night.

In the victory over A&T, Cal junior point guard Jerome Randle scored a game-high 20 points. He's met or topped the 20-point barrier three times this season, and leads the Bears in scoring, averaging 19.8 points per game. Even more impressive is the 66.7 percent clip he's shooting at after hitting shots at a 42.8 percent rate as a sophomore.

He's one of four Bears averaging in double figures, along with junior guard Theo Robertson (12.5), junior guard Patrick Christopher (12.5) and junior forward -- and Duke transfer -- Jamal Boykin (10.5).

"This is a new challenge for us," Robertson told the Tribune. "Obviously, we have some quality opponents coming up. And to play (UNLV) in their home gym is going to be tough."

(Sort of) local products return to Vegas

A pair of former Findlay Prep Pilots will sport their new colors in the Mack this weekend.

Facing UNLV will be Cal freshman guard Jorge Gutierrez, who Montgomery took into his program practically sight unseen. The 6-foot-3 ball of energy, originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, is averaging 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while playing 15.5 minutes per game off the pine.

The other is Florida State frosh Deividas Dulkys, who brings a rare combo of a 39-inch vertical and a silky 3-point touch. Dulkys is averaging 2.8 points per game while averaging 20 minutes a night off the bench. However, he's just 3-of-20 from long range so far.

In the other semifinal ...

The late game between Florida State and Cincinnati, which will tip at about 7:30 p.m., also features unbeaten squads. The 'Noles are 5-0, led by senior guard Toney Douglas, who averages 19.4 points per game.

Cincinnati, 4-0, is trying to reclaim its spot among college basketball's elite. After winning at least 20 games in 14 of 15 seasons, the Bearcats have won just 24 games combined of the past two. So far, they've shown some depth, with eight players averaging at least 5.8 points per game. Their top scorer is junior guard Deonta Vaughn, at 12.0 ppg.

Bring your best

In the stands at the Mack this weekend will be 27 professional scouts. It's assumed they'll also be taking in the action over at the Orleans Arena, in a field that includes Kansas State, Kentucky, West Virginia and Iowa.