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Tuesday, June 29, 2010 | 8:54 p.m.
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One UNLV basketball player fails a drug test at the NCAA Tournament. He'll never wear the scarlet and gray again.
A Rebel guard is dismissed from the team following a drunk-driving arrest in 2008. He wasn't even the legal drinking age.
Another is arrested Tuesday for choking his 28-year-old girlfriend, according to a police report. His status in the program, which should be the least of his worries, hasn't been determined.
So, here's the question of the day: Why are these young men, athletes with unlimited potential who are blessed with the fortune of playing college basketball, making — or are accused of making — such unfortunate decisions?
And, more importantly, why is it happening time and time again at UNLV?
Like several Las Vegas natives who were raised on Rebels basketball, we've lived through the hot-tub incident and a laundry list of other problems that always seemed to take away from the nationally respected product on the floor.
But even longtime fans are puzzled at the latest news: star guard Tre'Von Willis' being arrested by Henderson police and facing felony charges of domestic battery by strangulation and grand larceny and one misdemeanor count of coercion.
It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to realize that drugs and alcohol are prevalent on every campus and that spills over into the athletic department.
But a domestic-violence arrest — if the alleged incident is proven to be true — could leave scars on the UNLV program that would take years to heal.
I don't know why this has been such a problem-filled offseason, but here is what I do know: UNLV coach Lon Kruger is a true gentleman who has done a phenomenal job in bringing order and dignity to a Rebel program that frequently lacked those traits before his arrival.
However, Kruger's strong values, something few have challenged in his six-year tenure as coach, haven't seemed to rub off on his players.
These actions and accusations have given a black eye to not only the basketball program, but also the university and our community.
We should be remembering the players for their accolades on the court. For instance, Willis was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection last year and the Rebels' best player in the clutch.
It's tough to think about how this will affect the team next winter. But losing Matt Shaw (who failed the drug test) and possibly losing Willis would take the Rebels from a potential top-25 team to their traditional spot on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
It feels like it's time for Kruger to start micromanaging the program. He needs to have a better understanding of what his players are doing off the court. It's one thing to make sure they are attending classes; it's another to make sure they are following basic codes of conduct.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the college lifestyle. It is something completely different to let that way of life interfere with what's truly important — being your best on the basketball floor and in the classroom.
It's impossible to ask Kruger, or any college coach, to know the exact details of all their players' personal lives. But it's not impossible to ask the players to bring respect to themselves, their teammates and the university.
Let's hope this is the last time the police blotter overshadows the positive exploits of these young men.
Somethings will never change.
Perhaps, just one reporter for the Sun ought to go out and investigate the accuser. There is tons of info on Rebel net about this woman, if it is too much effort. Instead of throwing all these articles out, how about a little homework? There is plenty of info on UNLV Rivals about this person, including links to her facebook and myspace page. These alone will give you some insight into her moral character(or should I say a lack of character).
Before you try and hang the Rebel program, Lon Kruger, Tre'von Willis, do us all a favor and tell a little about the truth. One thing you should remember, this is the same Henderson police department that killed the ice cream truck driver's wife, and then settled for a large chunk of change with the husband. They (Henderson Police) have demonstarted carlessness and recklessness before, why should this be different?
As with all stories the embellishments are overwhelming. The only facts you have are the charges filed. Not witness statements, claims, Tre'vons statements. Men of common sense let things play out before a rush to judgement. Were you sitting there waiting for a Rebel to get in trouble so you could write this? Seems, like it.
The harm you are doing by writing sensational journalism is not warranted. This is a case of he said, she said, hardly a factual case. The fact she claimed to police she was his girl friend in and itself is a major lie. Tre has a girlfriend and it isn't the accuser! Please one reporter do some leg work!
this column is a joke! Sh*t happens, but don't try to combine this incident with Shaw smoking some bud, or Marcus Lawerence's DUI. It has nothing at all to do with Kruger or the program as a whole.
Great post by go_rebels! Not surprised the author hasn't responded yet.
Jimmy and Go Rebels: There are several rumors floating around about the situation with Tre'Von. Remember, they are rumors. My column reports the facts: he was arrested and charged with two felonies. We didn't say he was guilty. In fact, I used the following: "if the alleged incident is proven to be true." Also, you are pretty naive if you don't think the three incidents aren't connected. That's three members of the program neglecting to meet basic codes of behavior. Drinking and driving, and failing a drug test, are two things Kruger is embarrassed about. Also, both players were kicked off the team.
"three members" ???
so you've found tre guilty then?
looks like go_rebels was right.
good post, go_rebels! you are spot on in your assessment of this hack and his intentions.
Lay off Ray - his reputation goes to **** if he throws rumors out there and then further investigation proves he actually did punch her.
Don't you think UNLV Rivals will be a little bit favorable to our star player?
Regardless, this is a tragedy, and until we know everything lets just remove ourselves from trying to be "experts" on this.
I think the article is just what we've all come to expect from journalists. Three different situations, the only common ground is they played basketball here. Unfortunately, you could write similar articles about any other school, such as UCLA, and find that these young men are human and make mistakes. I know you have a job to do, but I feel your article is in poor taste.
I know most of the time Ray does quality work covering the Rebels and I definitely appreciate it..but yeah, I think he was a bit melodramatic with this one. "..could leave scars on the UNLV program that could take years to heal." How so? Lawrence did what he did....launched. Shaw did what he did....launched. If Willis is found guilty he'll rightfully get launched too. How is that type of disciplinary record a "black eye" for the program? If anything, its a positive reflection upon the priorities of the coach and the university. Nobody is naive enough these days to think the Coach or school can control the lives of young MEN 24/7 365. All they can do is hold them accountable when they make mistakes...which UNLV basketball has done swiftly and consistently. I dont see how that is a negative AT ALL. Now if you're talking about the impact on the court..especially losing a stud like Willis...thats a whole different beast.
Regardless of wither Tre is guilty or not, he still admits being at the girls house and getting in to at least a "verbal" altercation with the accuser. This still brings negative attention to the university's program regardless of the truth. This better not be true or all of you will be eating your words and our program is gonna look like a second rate, thug program. Kruger is not going to tolerate any of this behavior, and its not hard to believe that a suspension is still in line, even if he is not guilty of the crime.
anyone sense a replay for the Duke Lacrosse team drama a few years back? (she'll drop the charges if the price is right)
Jesus, so now someone says that a writer for a paper should go read a messageboard and report on nonsense posted by God knows who on there. I have been there many times and I have no idea what is real and what is BS on that site. You can't take much from the messageboard and say it is fact. Some of the comments on here are just amazing.
Ray very poor taste. Granted things are slow and you need to cover the story, but your article is a little crusading and condemning without all the facts in.
Youths are going to make mistakes and as long as Coach Kruger has been here everyone has been held accountable for their actions. He has been a solid disciplinarian anyone who doesn't tow the line has either transferred or released of their scholarship.
This incident happened at 3:00 am prior to a holiday weekend with school out and some how Coach Kruger who was out of town should have his players tracked with a gps system so he knows where they are at all times.
As an alumni and season ticket holder and donor I'm very impressed with the way Coach Kruger is running the program and know he will handle the situation responsibly as his track record shows. That's why we hired him in the first place.
Your article is out of touch and sensationalist at best!
Hey Ray, open your eyes my friend, this isn't just happening to UNLV, its happening all over the country. Singling out UNLV and writing and article that suggests only UNLV goes through such heartache is asinine.
You guys are insane. Nobody cares that you don't like his article.
Relax everyone. It's just a column. He probably gets a bonus for every complaint his article brings in.
Ray this article is garbage
"Kruger's strong values, something few have challenged in his six-year tenure as coach, haven't seemed to rub off on his players."
Ray,
Are you suggesting that coach Kruger has not and does not positively impacted any of his players? Do mistakes equate to a lack of moral growth? I would usually wait for you to answer these questions, but I have a feeling your answer will not embrace this discussion board. Thus, I will continue.
After the story hit the press that Coach Kruger was going to be the next men's basketball coach at UNLV, I found myself at the Thomas & Mac in agreement with the all of the boos that President Harter received for her apparent horrible hire. Since that day, Coach Kruger has done nothing, but prove all of us haters wrong. He has proven to be the epitome of what a college coach should be, and he has given UNLV alum a basketball program worth cheering for. The last six years have shown that Coach Kruger is a man of integrity (something you agree with me on) who is not willing to sacrifice morals for wins. He has proven to be a man who is willing to put his job and future on the line in order to instill upright values into his student-athletes. Coach Kruger has shown that he understands when to give grace and when to give direction, instruction, and discipline. He has set a high moral standard for others to follow, and he has won quit a bit of games doing it.
Everyday fans, like myself, have been inspired; perhaps, you have even been inspired by Coach Kruger at one time or another. Yet, for some reason, you declare that he has failed to inspire or positively impact any of the dozens of young men that come through his program at UNLV.
I am not a journalist and do not claim to understand the profession, but if I may, I would like to give you a suggestion. Either remove this statement from your article, or talk with each and every student-athlete that has come through Coach Kruger's program at UNLV to see if your bold statement holds any water at all.
Humbly,
KW