Kruger: Hospitalized assistant coach ‘doing well’

By Rob Miech

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 | 6:09 p.m.

UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger said assistant coach Lew Hill was resting at Sunrise Hospital on Thursday and might be released Thursday night or Friday.

Hill left the Thomas & Mack Center in an ambulance late Tuesday night after the Rebels’ overtime defeat to San Diego State.

UNLV did not practice Wednesday. After practice Thursday afternoon, Kruger said Hill’s release time and day haven’t been confirmed.

“He’s doing well,” Kruger said. “He had some tests today and the results were good. It’s just a matter of him resting comfortably. He’ll get out at any time and get back into a normal routine.”

Hill experienced chest pain in the UNLV coaches’ locker room after the game.

“He didn’t pass out, he was just weak, uncomfortable and lethargic,” Kruger said. “He just felt really bad. But he was always conscious and conversational. He just obviously, and rightfully, had a concern.

“He said he went to sit down and just felt weak and dizzy.”

Rebels sophomore guard Tre’Von Willis said he saw Hill on a stretcher, wearing an oxygen mask, before he was wheeled out of the arena.

“I gave him a thumbs-up, and I knew he’d be OK because he gave me a thumbs-up back,” Willis said. “I felt good about that.”

UNLV (17-5, 5-3 in conference) practices Friday morning, then leaves for Albuquerque, N.M., where it will play New Mexico (14-9, 5-3) at The Pit on Saturday night.