Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

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Instant Analysis: Young Rebels have nothing to be ashamed about

UNI Late Three Downs UNLV

Despite tying the game late, UNLV falls to Northern Iowa, 69-66, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, after Ali Farokhmanesh hits a three with five seconds to play.

NCAA Tournament - UNLV vs. UNI

UNLV guard Justin Hawkins puts his head in his hands after the Rebels lost to UNI Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. UNI won the game 69-66 on a last-second 3-point shot. Launch slideshow »

A graphic at the beginning of Thursday's telecast of the UNLV basketball team’s first round NCAA Tournament game against Northern Iowa told the entire story.

The Rebels’ starting lineup was displayed, including three sophomores, one freshman and a junior. The group — junior Tre’Von Willis, sophomores Oscar Bellfield, Brice Massamba and Chace Stanback, and freshman Anthony Marshall — are full of talent and potential.

That is what should make UNLV’s 69-66 loss against Northern Iowa easier to stomach for Rebel fans — obviously not immediately, but once the pain of being eliminated isn’t as painful.

At the beginning of the year, one of the main obstacles facing the Rebels was their inexperience. The roster only featured five who played last year and chemistry issues were surely going to be a problem as players became familiar with each other.

Or so it was thought. Several believed a trip to the tournament was being too optimistic.

But the Rebels played like a veteran team for most of the season, winning 12 of their first 13 games and going 4-2 against top 20 teams.

It took the graphic to spur my memory of how young Lon Kruger’s team is. It’s a graphic that should give Rebel fans hope — this team is going to only get better.

Here are some observations from the game. Like most of you, I watched the back-and-forth affair from my living room in Las Vegas.

Anthony Marshall is a star in the making

Maybe it’s because I covered the kid, and watched him dominate, when he played for Mojave High in North Las Vegas. Or maybe it’s because Marshall is starting to show an elite athletic ability that will make him fun to watch the next three years. Throwing down a pair of contested dunks, including one following a steal in the Northern Iowa backcourt with three minutes to play in the first half, gave us all a glimpse of what to expect in the future from the 6-foot-3 guard. He finished with six points and four steals.

Heart and determination

Trailing by nine points with about seven minutes left, the Rebels could easily have been discouraged. Not this group. They rallied to tie the game at 66-all with under a minute to play before Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanesh drained a deep 3-pointer with five seconds remaining for the decisive points. It’s been the same story all season — the Rebels have overachieved based on their effort. It’s safe to say the players left everything they had on the floor at the Ford Center.

Giving credit to Brice

Speaking of heart, credit Massamba for some courageous play. He bruised his knee while taking a charge at the end of the first half but returned in the second half and was diving on the floor for loose balls. Massamba, who shed roughly 30 pounds during the offseason, is getting better each week. With two years left, it’s not a stretch to think he’s going to transform into one of the Mountain West Conference’s top post players. I know there haven’t been many bright moments, but I know coaches feel the sky is the limit.

Looking ahead

The Rebels only lose two seniors, forward Darris Santee and reserve guard Steve Jones, and should have no problems returning to the tournament next year. They will add Kansas-transfer Quintrell Thomas in the frontcourt and a healthy Derrick Jasper, who hurt his knee two months ago and never returned. Just think how dangerous UNLV would have been down the stretch with the versatile Jasper, a 6-foot-6 guard who can score, rebound and pass.

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