Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UNLV Basketball:

Blog: Rebels run out of gas vs. No. 13 Kansas, lose 76-61

UNLV-Kansas Doolin

Orlin Wagner / AP

Kansas guard Frank Mason III steals the ball from UNLV guard Cody Doolin during the first half of a college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.

Updated Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 | 3:35 p.m.

No. 13 Kansas 76, UNLV 61

Game over

The Rebels finished the toughest stretch in program history with a solid performance that wasn't enough as No. 13 Kansas overwhelmed UNLV down the stretch, using a 23-6 run to pull away for a 76-61 victory at Allen Fieldhouse.

Cody Doolin and Christian Wood each led the Rebels with 12 while KU's Frank Mason led all scorers with 18 points. UNLV got killed on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 45-31, which was one of many areas where they just weren't quite good enough today.

The Rebels went into halftime with a four-point lead that quickly disappeared but then they recovered nicely and traded blows with Kansas for a long stretch. With another body or two maybe UNLV could have hung in there, but they were tired and failed to execute too often on the defensive end.

UNLV started hoisting up 3s to try to stay in the game and finished 7-of-23, though a few of those were good looks that rimmed out. Pat McCaw was a victim of that several times, while Kansas really picked up its shooting about midway through the second half.

Check lasvegassun.com for a full report later today from the Rebels' defeat.

UNLV vs. Kansas: Jan. 4

UNLV head coach Dave Rice directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. Launch slideshow »

Foul trouble could end up being the key to today’s game at Allen Fieldhouse because the Rebels (9-4) will need shot-blocking duo Christian Wood and Goodluck Okonoboh as much as possible to have a chance against No. 13 Kansas (10-2).

The game tips off at 1:30 p.m. Las Vegas time and will air on CBS following the AFC playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.

KU’s starting guards, Frank Mason and Wayne Selden, both average more than 30 minutes per game, and UNLV will struggle to stay in front of them off the dribble. Same goes for the wing with Findlay Prep product Kelly Oubre, who moved into the starting lineup three games ago.

Besides freshman Pat McCaw, the Rebels don’t have perimeter defenders who are probably going to be able stay in front of the Jayhawks, so we’ll likely see a lot of zone defense. And if the Rebels commit to defending the 3-point line the way they normally have, that will mean a lot of drives right into UNLV’s Stretch Armstrongs in the paint.

Kansas has really struggled against interior length this season, with bigs Perry Ellis and Cliff Alexander still figuring out how to play off of each other while playing over the defense. So as long as Wood and Okonoboh are on the court, that should be an advantage for the Rebels.

But how long will they be on the court? Not since South Dakota have both had serious foul trouble, but Okonoboh was limited to 20 minutes at Wyoming because of fouls and he’s been called for four in each of his past two games.

Meanwhile, Wood has been excellent in that area recently, playing at least 30 minutes in each of the past five games and all 40 at Wyoming. But his recent play has vaulted him to the clear top of opponents’ scouting reports, as Kansas coach Bill Self spent Friday calling Wood a lottery pick and a 7-foot guard.

Measurement inaccuracies aside, KU is preparing for the best version of Wood, and one of the ways to combat that is to get him off the court. Challenging those two inside will lead to a lot of frustration for opponents, but if they stick with it and get the Rebels to bite on enough pump fakes, the Jayhawks could clear the lane for takeoff.

There are lots of factors that will go into today’s game, but I think Wood and Okonoboh’s court time is foremost among them.

Bern’s prediction: It’s another big stage, and I’m not sure the Rebels will be prepared for it today. I think Rashad Vaughn will get his customary 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, but I think Wood is going to struggle. If I’m wrong and he continues this recent tear, the Rebels will have a chance. Kansas 76, UNLV 65

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy