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UNLV comes in at No. 18 in latest AP poll after 7-0 start
Rebels check in at No. 17 in ESPN/USA Today poll, take on K-State this Saturday
Ron Lewis / AP
UNLV’s Tre’von Willis, right, puts pressure on Santa Clara’s Robert Smith during a Dec. 5 game at Santa Clara.
Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 | 11:14 a.m.
The Rebel Room
No games this week? Lets talk rankings ... and K-State
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Ryan Greene, Christine Killimayer and Ray Brewer discuss UNLV's latest ranking, which has the 7-0 Rebels 18th in the AP poll and 17th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Is Lon Kruger's club the 18th-best team in the country? The crew discusses that, plus takes a look at Kansas State coming up on Saturday at the Orleans Arena.
Reader poll
Winning twice on the road in the last week apparently carries some weight with voters, as Lon Kruger's 7-0 UNLV basketball team moved up Monday in both college basketball Top 25 polls.
In the AP poll, the Rebels check in at 18th after entering the rankings a week ago for the first time since 2007 at 24th. In the ESPN/USA Today poll, the nation's coaches ranked the Rebels 17th, four spots up from their perch a week ago at 21st.
In their first two road tests of the season, the Rebels got by.
Led by second half efforts from Tre'Von Willis in both contests, UNLV edged Arizona, 74-72 in double overtime, on Wednesday, then traveled to Santa Clara, where they outlasted the Broncos 66-63 on Saturday night.
The Rebels' 7-0 start is the program's best since Jerry Tarkanian's club did so to open the 1990-91 campaign.
The top five spots in each of the polls are identical this week, with Kansas leading the way, followed by Texas, Villanova, Kentucky and Purdue.
UNLV is the lone Mountain West Conference team in either poll.
Still looking from some more respect from voters is New Mexico, who improved to 7-0 with impressive home victories this week over Cal, 86-78, and New Mexico State, 75-58.
In the AP poll, Steve Alford's club is 10th among the "others receiving votes," taking in 37 votes. In the coaches poll, the Lobos are third in that category.
Fifth off the list in the AP poll is UNLV's next opponent — Kansas State — which received 59 nods from the voters.
The Rebels take on the Wildcats at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Orleans Arena. K-State is 7-1 following an 86-69 victory over Washington State on Saturday in Manhattan, Kan. Frank Martin's team leaves for Las Vegas on Thursday, but that comes after Tuesday's home tilt with Xavier.
Discussion: 55 comments so far…
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I'll take it! We just need to keep on winning and letting the teams in front of us lose. Whats the best thing about being 7-0? The chance to be 8-0. That and having one less loss than Duke.
Any updates on livengood?
Keep up the good work Rebs!!!! K-state game Saturday at the Orleans will be a blast!
Sufferin is happy wow! Are you partying like its April 1990????
I'm happy for the Rebels: two hard fought wins on the road last week. The rankings reflect that, even though neither effort was pretty. They have to go into this Saturday's contest against K-State and play 40 minutes of solid basketball. Otherwise, the Top 20 will only be a footnote on the season. Good luck, Rebs!
The Lobos are getting exactly what they deserve. New Mexico annually fattens it early record with home games and pushovers. Then they always fall back to earth.
I think that we can pack the orleans and make this a true home game... especially now since we're 7-0, all the bandwagon fans will be back.
Can we go the distance ? Time will tell, looking like everything is on track to be a national contender !
They weren't pretty wins, but none-the-less, all that matters at the end is the "W." Can't wait for Saturday!
I did NOT see a top 20 ranking this early in the season. BUT I will take it. I hope we continue the success @ the Orleans against a tough K-State team. They're basically our last big test before the tourney in Hawaii. It would be another HUGE win for the team.
hey clifton7, where you been?
less than 200 tix left, yep itll be a true home game for sure!!
unlvrunrebs ... As far as the Livengood reports on Friday night, they all appear to have been jumping the gun a bit. Neal Smatresk confirmed that no offers had been made as of yet.
Anyone else find it to be a complete injustice that four 2-loss teams are ranked in the AP poll, while undefeated New Mexico, who just handled Cal this week, remains in the 'Others receiving votes?'
I agree with you on that one Ryan, UNM should be around 25 or so. I think they will be in the top 25 next week after they take down TA&M.
It's so nice looking at all the bottom lines and seeing UNLV running across. This is where we belong. Seems like our kids are real comfortable being in the top 25...A defeat of K-State and a strong 2 weeks puts us back in the top 10??? WOW! (well within our reach)...Top ten packs the mack!! and puts the stars back on gucci row..that means 5 star kids are knocking on coach Krug's door...="UNLV the Powerhouse"!!!
usually I hesitate looking into the future...but I finally have a coach I can believe in. Our kids seem real focused and they refuse to loose. I know there will be some bumps in the road but this sure is fun!!!
Ryan, that's what happens when no one in the country is really able to watch Mountain West basketball. New Mexico should be ranked 22-25.
Sure the NCAA is playing politics with little whiny noisy alford. regardless unm is going to be tough come january.... at byu then at unm. Gulp.
New Mexico will lose at San Diego and probably at home to A&M. If they win both of those then get back to me, until then they don't deserve to be ranked.
@ Brandon and Ryan
The injustice comes when the top schools only play other top schools, same goes with football with 3 undefeated teams.
At least basketball has a bracket system and tourney, giving each team a possibility at least of going to the tournament. Wish football was fixed somehow to allow that.
Historically, you will always have the same teams up there, because they play other big teams more often and their RPI is higher. The problem is the mediocre schools don't even get a chance at playing a big team cause the bigs do not want to lose, cause it will knock them down for the season. If a big loses to a big, they are still up in the rankings.
Should UNLV lost, or in fact lose at all, they will be knocked straight off the rankings except maybe vs. KSt.
Way way coooooool
In Lon we trust. REEEEEBELS!!!!
I like what Kruger said today on the gridlock show when asked about the #18 ranking - "We are talented enough to beat anybody in the country but we could lose to anybody in the country as well". What a perfect balance to bring to the rankning. I was a little skeptical as to how high the Rebs would go in the rankings. I didn't think they were going to get any luv from the national media and coaches to get much higher than they already were at #21, guess I was wrong. All they can do is take it one game at a time and let the chips fall where they may.
I hope this season is having deep reaching impact towards landing CJ. I think CJ has to strongly consider the Rebs now. We would have one of the best backcourts in the country next year if CJ comes aboard.
BetOnBlack,
we would have the BEST backcourt in the nation if CJ comes.
With him, Tre, Jasper, O, AM, J-Hawk, & Kendall there would be no team that could match that.
Well, like the rest of you, I applaud the job Kruger has done this year.
That said, the Rebels have a LOT of work ahead of them to maintain that lofty rating.
I just beg that you bipolar fans give UNLV some support in the event that they drop a game somewhere down the stretch. Don't knee-jerk react and call for the coaches head or second guess his decision-making (such as playing player X over Y). After all, it was his decision-making that got us here in the first place.
But I ask too much.
Findlay is playing Bishop Gorman right after the Rebel game in the Orleans all Rebel fans should stick around and bring out the signs for CJ, show him the rebel luv. CJ will be going head to head against Shabbazz Muhammad another rebel prospect. Shabb is only a soph but is already one of the best players in the country. Shabb dunked nasty on CJ last year so he'll be looking for payback.
we may have the best backcourt right now...can't imagine if cj wants to run with us...monster we will loose and negatives will always arise..but don't worry i have a strong feeling this team is for real...they have heart, heart and more heart...every player on this team plays a roll, even "chop"...If we stay healthy, look for us to crack the top ten. Coach is telling the truth about us playing with anybody. This team will never be out of game. Tre'von with his chip on his shoulder and co. will never say die...and thats why i'm loving this team so much...they keep playing like this I won't care if they loose.
thats a nice heads up Bblack
rebels are back in the limelight...good stuff..lets take the MWC title and make a solid run in the NCAA tourney! can you SAY ELITE 8!
Don't forget, too, CJ's official visit to UNLV is this weekend. It's his fifth and final ...
We are over on Rebel-Net makin ideas for signs and stuff to 'wow' Cory Joseph. Come on over if you got ideas or would like to make a sign for CJ but need an idea. love the LVSun. Best Rebel coverage in history :)
http://unlv.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=915...
Here is some ESPN coverage
First on CJ
Reggie Rankin of Scouts Inc. writes that Cory Joseph, a 6-foot-3 guard prospect out of Ontario, Canada, was very impressive at this weekend's Marshall County Hoop Fest.
Joseph, the 30th-ranked prospect in the ESPNU 150 rankings, has not yet made a college decision, but is down to a final five of Texas, UConn, Villanova, Minnesota (where his brother plays) and UNLV. His familial connection to the Golden Gophers is an obvious one, but a different connection could also play a major role in his recruitment. Tristan Thompson, the fifth-ranked power forward prospect in the nation and a teammate of Joseph's at Findlay College Prep (NV), is committed to the Longhorns. That hardly makes Joseph a lock for Austin, but it sure doesn't hurt the Longhorns' chances of locking up this prized recruit. Just speculating, but we're considering UT the favorite for now.
Scouts Inc.
Cory Joseph
"Cory is a special talent in the open court; his speed with the basketball, ability to pass the basketball in a variety of ways and ability to make solid decisions with the basketball are impressive. Equally impressive is Corey's motor. He never stops working defensively or offensively. Whoever is able to land this top point guard in the late signing period is getting an instant impact player that will elevate the play of his teammates and his program."
And from their places to be this week
Las Vegas (Saturday): Kansas State is coming off a solid win over Washington State in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. Going to UNLV should give the Wildcats a nice barometer, considering the Runnin' Rebels are one of the hottest teams in the country. Both of these teams could be in the NCAA tournament field.
RebelFanInIraq,
If you are in the armed forces..we love our troops and support them. I respect what you are doing over there and God bless you. I pray for the troops every night.
No not in the armed forces, just a contractor here supporting them.
oh, well you are in Iraq and away from family and making sacrifices, that is very respectable!
Dont want to get too far ahead because nothing is final yet but it does make for good topic - If CJ were to become a rebel who's minutes get hacked? You know that Willis, Jasper, Bellfield and possibly Stanback with QT will start with Wallace getting significant minutes as a senior. That means that Marshall & Hawkins will be taking a back seat to CJ because he is already better then both of them and there is no debating that. Unless Kruger were to start a 4 guard lineup along with QT and bring Stanback off the bench. I dont know, its just a thought. Anyway you slice it if CJ wants to become a rebel you have to make room for him. UNLV would have one helluva of a team!
Who decides the individual ranking anyways? How is Joseph the 30th ranked prospect when he is the best player on the #1 nationally ranked team? The same people who decide these rankings are probably the same people employed by the BCS!
So I read every article available about the rebels, and I felt it was time to finally create an account to make comments. This weeks game against K-state should be exciting. I know I will be there helping to tear the roof off of that little orleans arena. The Sun is by far the best coverage in my opinion, and I know in many others as well. Can't wait to be a part of the conversations rather than always just reading them.
I said it b4, I want Polee over CJ, but I'd take either in a heartbeat.
Polee kind of players are a dime a dozen you can find them at any inner city playground in America. Players like CJ are the total package - CJ is cat quick, has serious handles, shoots a great 3, and will posterize you by hanging his nuttz in your face.
that's why we have so many electric finishers and shot blockers on our team right?
I'll say it again...I wish we could play in the mack so CJ could see how 16-19k fans sounds cheering for them. The orleans sits nothing close to the mack, but will be sold out for sure. (If not already).
Almost forgot, Tonight are some games to watch. BYU plays AZ St., TCU plays Tex Tech, and KS St plays Xavier.
Get CJ, Continue to play 11 guys and press the whole game. Run teams ragged by bringing in waves of players and keeping everyone fresh. If I had to handicap this thing I would say we dont get CJ and Polee is wearing a Rebel jersey. Cant help but think of the versatility of this team next year.
Either way this thing plays itself out we will be loaded for a few more years. I feel the rebs chances at CJ are just as good as Texas, UCONN, Villanova, & Minn. At any of those other universities CJ will just be another baller on campus but here CJ will be larger then life itself. This is the entertainment capital of the world and would be Josephs domain. Landing CJ would fill the T&M to capacity. CJ would be the biggest recruit ever to come thru UNLV. UNLV has never had a McDonalds All-American, CJ will play in that game this year.
We're all talking about Polee & Joseph but what about 6'10 Henry Buckley from Houston next year as well. ESPN has Buckley listed as a verbal commit and that he actually hasn't signed yet, can anybody confirm this?
I have seen coaches recruit at the playground level. I used to ball at an inner city park and on one Saturday Nolan Richardson and Billy Tubbs were there on the same day watching us ball. Everybody I played with growing up played above the rim and could finish on you, around you or in traffic, and as we used to say "throw your nonsense down the street", that is the way we balled.
Betonblack
Actually, UNLV has had 7 McDonald's All-Americans.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/unlv/recr...
Akbballfan, very good read. Thanks for the link.
Anthony Marshall will be a stud b4 he leaves here, so do not forget about him. Kid can straight up ball. He is adjusting to D1 @ this point.
As for Henry Buckley, yes he is a UNLV commit. He committed last season (was a senior) and then went to a prep school to prepare for D1. If we get CJ, best guess is he redshirts.
Roster w/ CJ? Easy. 4 guards 1 big man and still play 11 guys. Other teams would walk into the T&M knowing it is over before it starts.
Here is my depth chart for 10-11 w/ CJ:
STARTERS:
G:Oscar Bellfield 6'2
G:Cory Joseph 6'3
G:Tre'von Willis 6'4
G:Derrick Jasper 6'6
F:Brice Massamba 6'9 (QT is 6'7&more of a PF)
SECOND UNIT:
G:Justin Hawkins 6'2
G:Anthony Marshall 6'3
G/F:Chace Stanback 6'8
F:Quintrell Thomas 6'7
F:Carlos Lopez 6'11
THIRD UNIT:
G:Kendall Wallace 6'4
F:Matt Shaw 6'8
F:Henry Buckley 6'10 (may redshirt)
That is one deep lineup! The second team would probably beat WYO,CSU,AFA,&TCU.
The team would be deep, tall(guards have height especially), and experienced.
I say, with CJ, UNLV has the BEST backcourt in the nation.
rebelfan11:
Buckley gave a verbal but did not sign a letter during the early signing period so as it stands now he has been offered a scholarship and said he would take it but nothing is official. He can still take visits to another school/ sign with another school or we can sign another player. There is no reason for him to not have signed during the early signing period so nothing is guaranteed that he will ultimately be a Rebel.
Yes, I know that about Buckley. But the understanding is that he will sign in Spring.
Trust me though, I would be as happy as anyone if somehow they got Polee and Joseph. That would make for a Final Four run in these next few years..
Thanks for the info akbballfan. I heard on a sports radio show that UNLV had never had a McDonalds All-American and I figured they would know since they are speaking over the public air waves. There are 3 players that the rebs really want but only 2 schollies available unless Kruger whacks guys like Tyler Norman & Mychal Martinez.
Norman and Martinez and the rest of the guys at the end of the bench are walk-ons and have nothing to do with the scholarships, or lack there of.
Ryan:
Any word on Buckley? The Prep School he was going to attend, The Patterson School, was closed. Any info would be great.
Nice to see all this enthusiasm for the Rebels. We haven't signed either CJ or Polee, or even Buckley for that matter so let's not count chickens. It appears CJ will most likely end up in Texas. I agree that Polee would fit better with this group, but I would definitely take both. With CJ and Marshall, that would be one of the top backcourts in the country, but until he signs, it's all just speculation. I think a much more pressing concern is this Saturday's opponent, Kansas State. Did anybody see how they took apart a tough Xavier team? Meanwhile we struggled mightily against Santa Clara? I hate to spoil the party but the Rebels are in for a rude awakening if they go into this game thinking they are ok, ranked against an unranked opponent. They need a lot of improving, particularly the fouling. A lot of it has been bad officiating but the Rebs need to watch those fouls. Defense in general nees improvement, Santa Clara was having their way with us most of the game. That should not happen. I will be at the Orleans screaming my head off to motivate, I just hope the Rebels don't get embarassed
the Rebels defense has been superb all season long except at SCU...and I guarantee you that UNLV aint overlooking KSU. Who would they be overlooking them for? SUU? Weber St.? please...this is their last real test of OOC until the DiamondHead Classic in Hawaii and that may not be a challenge if the bracket doesn't go as expected..
The key to beating K-State is putting together two good halves. This team has played like Dr. Jekyle and Mrs. Hyde from the first to second half. KSU will be a tough match but the rebs will come out on top if they play well in both halves.
As far as getting tickets they have only been selling tickets on the end sections since they started selling them I have checked daily. I think it is because they are holding them for season ticket holders and big players for all the coast casinos.
Also, reb fans should stay after to watch CJ play against Gorman. Lets show him some love with unlv chants and signs maybe this can sway him to UNLV. It concerns me that KSU game is his offical visit and he plays at the same venue that night. Maybe he isn't no high on UNLV. SO again lets support him and show him some love.
UNLV run out song...Chris Jones Productions!!