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StumbleA need for more toughness UNLV’s biggest lesson learned so far
Rebels in next week face ‘best opportunity’ to develop a rougher exterior
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.
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.
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By no stretch of the imagination does UNLV coach Lon Kruger expect his team to get much bigger or stronger physically during the second half of the 2009-10 season.
However, Kruger continues to ask his players to give off the impression that they've swollen up some in terms of their approach and execution.
"We can play a lot more physical, with more attitude about doing things better and stronger," he said. "We won't have another break like this. We'll have a couple of smaller ones when we don't play mid-week games or whatever, but this is the best opportunity."
The Rebels returned to practice Tuesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center for the first time since Friday's ugly 67-56 loss to Southern Cal in the championship game of the inaugural Diamond Head Classic.
UNLV had a tough time combatting USC's bigger front line and couldn't impose its will on defense in trying to get in the head of Trojans point guard Mike Gerrity. The fifth-year senior carved up UNLV with his steady hand and ability to control the game's tempo for the second time in his collegiate career.
Now, the Rebels are in the middle of an 11-day layoff between games.
Upon returning from Honolulu, Californians such as Justin Hawkins and Matt Shaw headed home for belated Christmas celebrations with their families. Some players stayed in town to relax, including Derrick Jasper, who said he was so disappointed with both his and the team's performance against the Trojans that he refused to watch sports for a few days in an effort to clear his head.
Tuesday's practice, with everyone back in town on time, provided a quick return to reality.
The coaching staff told the scout team to be more physical with the regulars overall, and that clearly was reflected on a cool night inside of the Mack. Nothing came easy for UNLV's rotation players while running offensive sets.
Kruger exemplified toughness himself Tuesday, perching on the scorer's table during practice just hours after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and moving around with the aid of crutches.
"It's hard to simulate the USC size in practice, but still, we can get the other guys as physical as they can be," Kruger said.
Added Shaw: "Today, it was pretty physical. We're pretty sure it'll only get tougher from here on out to get ready for the more physical teams."
There will be no easing back into game action next week, as Mountain West Conference play welcomes UNLV with what will more than likely be its two toughest games on the league slate ̵ at 13-1 BYU on Wednesday and at 13-1 New Mexico on Saturday. Both will present vicious road atmospheres for the 12-2 Rebels, and both will probably carry Top 25 rankings into the showdowns.
It's certainly not a now-or-never type of deal with the Rebels developing a tougher mentality during this prime break in the middle of a long season. But, as Kruger said, there's no better time than now.
Kruger and three of his players Tuesday unanimously agreed that, more than anything, that was the biggest lesson learned on the trip to Hawaii, and probably the most important from the entire non-conference season.
After blistering past SMU, 67-53, and host Hawaii, 77-53, UNLV was, for the second time this season, thrown off kilter by a bigger, stronger opponent who made a point of initiating the contact. The first eye-opener was Dec. 12 in a 95-80 loss to Kansas State.
"We've got to get tougher, man," Shaw said. "I felt like we got handled a little bit by USC. We know we have to be tougher against teams that are more physical. We can't just expect them to have a bad game. Like coach said earlier, we have to make them have a bad game, improve our toughness overall, mentally and physically."
When asked which group was the toughest he'd ever coached, four came to Kruger's mind. They were his most successful squads at each of his last four stops in the Division-I ranks.
"The (2007) Sweet 16 team here was a real physical group," he said. "The 1988 team at Kansas State was a real physical group, a tough group. The Big Ten championship group (at Illinois in 1998) was a tough, hard-nosed group. The Final Four group (at Florida in 1994) was tough mentally. Typically, better teams are tougher.
"They develop to some degrees. It certainly helps when it's built in with the bodies, but the Sweet 16 team here, you take Joel (Anthony), Gaston (Essengue), Wendell (White), Mike Umeh, those were big bodies, those were strong kids. It's a better starting point than when they're not."
Even though UNLV's current roster isn't nearly as bulky or brawny across the board as the team which advanced to the Sweet 16 in St. Louis three years ago, it doesn't mean this year's group can't go further.
What this year's team lacks in size and natural physical intimidation it makes up for with excelled athleticism at nearly every position. That's what makes this team's potential so intriguing if it can develop a consistent mean streak.
Kruger said that the ones who will lead the effort on the floor in bringing out that inner beast are those who have the potential to be the most imposing enforcers.
"Generally the stronger kids are more likely to lead that," he said. "When you look on the perimeter, Tre'Von (Willis) has a strong frame, he can give us some of that, Derrick can give us some of that, Anthony (Marshall) can give us some of that. On the interior, all of those guys can give us a little bit of that. As a group, as much as toughness, we have to execute with even greater purpose to overcome some of that."
Despite not playing in a game this week, UNLV has no days off from practice before heading to Provo for next Wednesday's contest.
And if the Rebels don't capitalize on the opportunity at hand to find their inner nastiness, discovering it will only get tougher as time passes.
"It better be developed," Willis said. "As a group, a light better turn on sooner or later. The sooner the better. We've got to let each other know and keep telling each other how tough we have to be to accomplish what we want to."
Discussion: 35 comments so far…
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There's absolutely no doubt that UNLV played like p_____s the other day. Now is it the time to harden up otherwise even the likes of TCU will manhandle us like last season.
Hard to be physical when you have Steve Jones guarding the other teams 6'8'' power forward in the post. Hard to be physical when your top shot blocker is a 6'2'' guard in Anthony Marshall. Hard to be physical when your "big guys" are soft. Take a page out of Michigan State's practice playbook. Put on the football pads and hit each other during practice!
I agree 101...being physical is not that hard. For the bigs step over and block some shots! I know it's down in there somewhere and the bigs need to put it together and elevate their game. I don't want to see another year like last year. Come on REBELS step it UP!
This team has a great chance to steal one of road games. (BYU or New Mexico) If we can steal one and hold serve at home then we have the inside track to a conference title.
New Mexico is going to be tough but we have BYU's number and they know it! 1-1 should be the minimum but if we can win in Provo then we'll have nothing to lose in New Mexico. Go Rebels!
Reeeeeeebeeels!!!
Nothing makes me happier than beating BYU in Provo. C'mon Rebs make it happen.
I know the USC game left a bad taste in everyone's mouth, but that 12-2 start in non-conference and four straight weeks of being ranked was not expected. Thank you Rebels!
Here's hoping the team will welcome the role of underdog next week and pull out an upset or two.
And either way, I will be there vs. San Diego State on Jan. 13 for a huge game. We've got your back, Rebels!
I expected them to drop two games which is exactly what they did. What did you expect them to do, go 6-6?
hope we come out and pop byu in the mouth... dont see us winning at the pit. Their forwards will be too much for us at new mexico. oscar needs to take this personally and lock down fredette. slap the floor baby.
Nobody in the conference will be as physical and athletic as KSU or USC. Foul trouble hurt us each game. The year we went to the Sweet 16 the guards could press the ball, over play the passing lanes and then if they got beat good ol Joel was there to erase or alter the shot. Next year we will have Lopez to play that role and hopefully Thomas but Brice/Santee/Shaw are not shot blockers.
Starters ---------------- Starters
Martinez 6'6 185 ------ Stanback 6'8 210
Hardeman 6'8 225 ------ Shaw 6'8 240
Gary 6'1 205 ---------- Bellfield 6'2 185
Hobson 6'7 205 -------- Jasper 6'6 215
McDonald 6'5 190 ------ Willis 6'4 195
Brown 6'9 225 --------- Santee 6'8 225
Dennis 6'5 195 -------- Massamba 6'10 240
Garth 6'2 180 --------- Wallace 6'4 190
Fenton 5'8 170 -------- Jones 6'1 220
Adams 6'6 190 --------- Marshall 6'3 200
------------------------Hawkins 6'3 190
They look pretty even RebelnSoccerFanatic
So I guess the team shouldn't even make the trip to Provo.
Some soccer fan chicken little thinks we have no shot.
USC, K-State>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>byu.
We'll win at least one of the first two games.
But I'm sure some will have their fingers crossed that we lose both so they can say, "I told you so."
Some great "fans" UNLV has.
Sheesh.
Coach Calipari made his guys practice 7 times in three days (26th, 27th, & 28th)...this is what top teams do. I hope Kruger is also doing two-a-days after three days off. We need a lot of work on the offensive end.
and can we PLEASE stop talking about "next year" some of us are starting to sound like cubs fans. (which i am) lol
byu BARELY beat reno and lost to utah state, UNM lost to oral roberts hospital over 6 foot league. UNM beat hawaii by 12 we beat them by 100 if i remember right. both of these teams are beatable, lets simmer down, and be ready to be LOUD when tijuana tech (i'm borrowing that knickname) comes to visit on the 13th.
I was going to make the same comment about size match-ups with the Lobos... Maybe they are lying about there rosters...
Also SERIOUSLY about Thomas and limited play next year... Did you see that guys stats in his freshman year at Kansas... You know that one that won the Tourney a few years back, a sweet 16 run last year, and is ranked number one this year... Don't get me wrong he was coming off the bench in no pressure situations but he still put in work with a top notch program...
I think we have a great chance in both these games... Plus from an intangible standpoint you think these kids are not walking into Provo with a major chip on their shoulder from that USC loss...
I was just glad that AFN showed the UNLV game on TV here in Iraq(even if it was an ugly one). Personally I like the Michigan State approach to toughening but just like Kentucky doing two-a-days each team is different and responds to things differently. Does anyone know a REAL UNLV fan site and not some fair weather fan site? This site sounds like a bunch of BYU cry baby fans, my dads a donor bs. Are you the same people that make UNLV games fashion shows and sit down the whole game?
BTW True_Fan.... Do not confuse me with SoccerFan :)... I think this team is great!... and really look forward to watching them week after week...
SoccerFanatic is now officially in the running for the most outrageously pessimistic post of the day award.
There is a difference between being realistic and being downright grumpy.
New Mexico and UNLV match up pretty evenly from a size and athleticism stand point. The Lobos will be extremely tough to beat at home because they typically shoot the ball extremely well. If we can somehow rattle them into an off shooting night, it will come down to who wins the turnover battle. I would be thrilled if we pulled out a victory, but I wouldn't count us out.
As for BYU, we still match up extremely well with them. It's reasonable to hope that between Bellfield, Marshall, Willis, Jasper, and Hawkins, we can frustrate and stifle Jimmer. If Jimmer has an off night, BYU is very beatable.
As for making the tournament, I'd say it's 60-40 right now. We are in great shape, but there is plenty of time for a bubble bursting stumble if we don't play well in conference.
RebelnSoccerFanatic- Have you seen QT play or are you just reading internet bio's and Youtube vids? I have seen QT play. I have seen him practice with the team. He is a big powerful wide body that can hit the short jumper and post up like big. We currently do not have any post players that are at his skill level. There is a reason the kids was on a full ride at Kansas.
Recon_Scout13 - Is that BJ? If not, do you know him?
A GOOD forum for UNLV is rebel-net.com
This is EXACTLY what was said last year..."we need to get tougher!" BLAH BLAH BLAH This team is another NIT team, and nothing more. When BYU AND UNM chew them up and spit them out, you Rebel fans will once again begin to see your delusions of greatness shattered. Chumps!
Just watched Cincy beat uconn. Cincy is another big physical team we would struggle against.
As mediocre as the team was "last year," we still won in Provo. We've had a history of containing the BYU offensive machine. Look at their current guards' stats against us.
Kruger also won in the Pit in 2007.
USC, Kasas St.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Oral Rob, Utah St
RT, where are you from, goofball? South Carolina Upstate fan huh? Haha you're the only chump on here, knucklehead.
J- Dub yes it is me. I can't believe some of these people call themselves fans. 12-2 start is good, the way we lost those two games showed our weakness (athletic teams). Cause for concern yes, but not a reason to start thinking about next year. Guess they call them bandwagon fans for a reason.
I bet in early November that most people would NOT have put their money on UNLV going 12-2 in OOC. After the Santa Clara game, people were saying how we were not that great & will be lucky to only lose 1 OOC game and will probably lose atleast 2.
12-2 is great! It is better than just about every OOC in the Tark years...
REBELNSOCCERFANATIC,
I am calling you out. You are a fool.
You are saying not to overhype Quintrell Thomas, psh. He was a part of the recruiting class brought in after KU won the National Championship.
QT was a 95 overall out of HS on Rivals (higher than any other recruit in the whole MWC) and #56 on the ESPN Top 100. He was ranked #17 PF in the nation. (Los #12 C). He led a top 5 HS team while there, too. On Rivals he was Top 150 and #26 @ his position. He is also a VERY athletic big and should fit in great to our system. Even if QT gets Santee's mins and Los gets Jones mins, they will both have ample opportunity to prove themselves.
Oh, and the other 3 transfers, haven't they fared well, almost immediately? Why would it take someone like QT who is that highly regarded so long if it didn't take Willis (UR out of HS), Stanback (top 70), OR Jasper (top 40)
Hopefully the big men we do have see that there are alot of mins available to them if they get down and the paint and get physical. As far as Jones playing so much, I've only gotten to watch one game and the shot he took that hit the side of the backboard had me shaking my head in disbelief, but at least he leaves everything on the court. Sometimes Coaches need to take action and show that no one is guaranteed mins by previous experience but earn it every time they step on the court. While I might not agree with making that statement on national tv, its better that the team gets the hint now before conf play starts.
Hopefully the big men we do have see that there are alot of mins available to them if they get down in the paint and get physical. As far as Jones playing so much, I've only gotten to watch one game and the shot he took that hit the side of the backboard had me shaking my head in disbelief, but at least he leaves everything on the court. Sometimes Coaches need to take action and show that no one is guaranteed mins by previous experience but earn it every time they step on the court. While I might not agree with making that statement on national tv, its better that the team gets the hint now before conf play starts.
I'm rather disturbed that the "biggest lesson learned so far" at UNLV didn't occur in any academic department, but in sports.
Visit the UNLV bookstore, and you'll find all the required textbooks, but no section with related books of interest in the various academic subjects. This puts UNLV in the category of a glorified high school.
Visit the bookstore at UCLA and you'll find a broad range of extra reading for any major or interest. Visit the University of Arizona at Tucson's bookstore and you'll find acres of extra-curricular reading. And second-tier state university bookstores such as at San Diego State, or Arizona State, Tempe, easily outclass UNLV in resources to feed a student's curiosity and flesh out his or her knowledge.
Can we find JGM a good academic blog so he/she can blog there and not waste our time here. Do people know Duke (yeah i said a bad word, Duke) by the medical school or the basketball team? I would love for UNLV to have a great academic program, but I come to the Suns blog to chat about sports not what books are in the bookstore. The Library has books, and if you get a special card they even let you borrow them for a while so you can read them in the comforts of your own home. Crazy I know but completely user friendly. What I want to know is who is going to step up not allow the Rebs to falter during Conf play
JGM replies: The link on the "Breaking News" page says only "A need for more toughness UNLV's biggest lesson learned so far". (Nothing about a special section for people who think the purpose of UNLV's existence is to provide sports entertainment.)
Did anyone else think that the article with pick of Trevon in a UNLV jersey think the article was going to be about the current curriculum students at UNLV are taking? If so maybe I just assumed it was about UNLV getting out muscled by a more athletic team.