Season over for Rebels as UNLV passes on CBI tourney

By Taylor Bern

Friday, March 13, 2015 | 5:20 p.m.

UNLV’s 2014-15 men’s basketball season is over, Athletic Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said this afternoon. The program will not participate in the College Basketball Invitational.

The Rebels (18-15) were knocked out of the Mountain West tournament quarterfinals Thursday night with a 67-64 loss to San Diego State. After the game, Rice said he was interested in playing in the CBI, a 16-team tournament that charges home teams $50,000 to host a game. Rice, who decided not to pursue the tournament after last season, said the Rebels had been in contact with tournament officials over the past few weeks.

“When you have guys who have an opportunity to get postseason experience, I think there’s value in more practices and more games,” Rice said Thursday night.

Three players who spoke to the Sun also said they wanted to keep playing, no matter the tournament or venue. They included senior Jelan Kendrick, who will finish his career without ever playing in a game after the conference tournament.

“I think we have a group of guys who love to play the game,” Kendrick said Thursday. “Even if we weren’t playing in the postseason, I feel like we’ll be playing pickup come Sunday.”

However, after a scheduled team meeting this afternoon, Rice said it was unlikely the team would pursue the postseason. And after a meeting between AD and coach, Kunzer-Murphy confirmed the season was done.

“We’re going to pass on that opportunity right now,” she said.

Kunzer-Murphy also addressed rumors about Rice’s job status, saying nothing has been decided.

“Dave and I will sit down on Monday to talk about where we are and where we want to be,” she said.

Rice’s win total has fallen each season and this year, with a core group of freshmen that lost leading scorer Rashad Vaughn on Feb. 10, the Rebels finished seventh in the Mountain West.

Regarding the postseason, Kunzer-Murphy and Rice cited availability issues with the Thomas & Mack Center and Orleans Arena as reasons to not enter the CBI. They also pointed to UNLV’s depth and injury concerns — the Rebels have seven available scholarship players, including some dealing with nagging aches and pains — but Rice didn’t mention any of that Thursday night when he seemed invested in keeping the season going.

“I loved coaching this group,” Rice said this afternoon.

Kunzer-Murphy said she isn’t against UNLV ever playing in a postseason tournament like the CBI, but she pointed to having to travel with a banged-up team as the reasons to pass.

“I believe in it but at this time, it doesn’t fit with everything that’s happened,” she said. “We’re more concerned about their welfare.”

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