Game day: Richmond blows out UNLV to close Sunshine Slam

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 | 2 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 | 5:36 p.m.

UNLV traveled across the country and spent the better part of four days in Florida for the Sunshine Slam, but Kevin Kruger's squad is heading home without a win after fall to Richmond, 82-65.

It was another disappointing showing on the defensive end that doomed the Scarlet and Gray on Tuesday. The allowed Richmond to run out to an 11-0 lead, and at one point in the second half the Spiders made eight straight shots while building their advantage as high as 21 points. For the game, Richmond shot 60.0%.

Jordan King led all scorers with 21 points, while Richmond big man Neal Quinn posted 20.

UNLV misfired from 3-point range all day (7-of-25) and never really made a run after Richmond took its early lead. Jackie Johnson scored a team-high 17 points in 20 minutes off the bench.

Kruger will have some time to try and figure out the team's defensive issues, as UNLV won't play again until Tuesday, when Akron visits the Thomas & Mack Center.

Richmond running away from UNLV in second half

Richmond continues scoring at a tremendous rate, and with 7:38 remaining the Spiders maintain a comfortable 67-48 lead.

While Richmond guard Jordan King was giving UNLV trouble in the first half, now it's center Neal Quinn who is proving to be a problem. The 7-footer is having his way in the paint, with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He has also knocked down a pair of 3's and converted an old-fashioned 3-point play.

As a team, Richmond is shooting 73.3% in the second half and 62.8% for the game.

D.J. Thomas has returned to the court, which is a silver lining for the Scarlet and Gray. The freshman dribbled into a 3-pointer adn knocked it down a moment ago, but UNLV just isn't getting enough stops to cut into the lead, which has grown as high as 21 points.

UNLV trails Richmond as D.J. Thomas exits with injury

Five minutes into the second half, UNLV has not been able to put much of a dent in Richmond's lead. With 14:29 remaining, the Spiders are still up, 46-33.

The more important development may be the status of freshman point guard D.J. Thomas. He went down a few minutes ago holding his right ankle and had to be helped off the court. He didn't go to the locker room, which is a good sign; the medical team has been working on him at the end of the bench and Thomas has tested it with some light jogging on the sideline, so he may be able to get back on the court today.

It's hard to envision UNLV making a comeback without Thomas, considering he is the best penetrator and passer on the team. For an offense that is already struggling, losing Thomas for any amount of time would be a huge blow.

UNLV basketball in deep hole against Richmond

As bad as Monday's loss was, UNLV is staring at an even worse result today unless they figure things out over the next 20 minutes. At halftime, Richmond has a commanding 38-23 lead.

It's been a rough showing at both ends of the floor. UNLV can't stay in front of Richmond defensively, which has resulted in the Spiders shooting 57.1% from the field, led by Jordan King's 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Offensively, the Scarlet and Gray are 1-of-12 from 3-point range, which works out to 8.3%.

What can Kevin Kruger do to turn this around? More minutes for Kalib Boone could be an option; for the second straight day he has been UNLV's most effective player, as he's got a team-high eight points off the bench.

Aside from that, UNLV just needs its veteran core — seniors Jalen Hill, Luis Rodriguez and Justin Webster — to play better.

Richmond races out to 32-19 lead over UNLV

UNLV has started to hit some shots, but, like yesterday, is the damage already done?

Richmond continues to convert at a blistering rate (63.6% from the field), and with 3:41 left in the first half the Spiders have a 32-19 advantage advantage.

Jordan King has proven to be unstoppable, torching several UNLV defenders already on his way to 14 quick points on 6-of-8 shooting. UNLV has been paced by Kalib Boone's six points off the bench.

While defense continues to be the main problem for Kevin Kruger's crew, shooting is a close second. A day after making just two 3-pointers against Florida State, the Scarlet and Gray are 1-of-11 from deep.

UNLV hoops falls behind early against Richmond

Kevin Kruger wasn't happy with the way UNLV fell behind in the opening minutes against Florida State on Monday, so he has to be beside himself with the way his squad has started this game. Richmond has been on the attack since the tip, and the Spiders have raced out to a 17-4 lead with 11:54 left in the first half.

Defense has been a glaring sore spot again. Richmond made five of its first seven shots to build an 11-0 lead, and they've made 8-of-11 overall. Richmond will be shooting two free throws after this timeout.

At the other end, UNLV has not looked cohesive on offense. The Scarlet and Gray are 0-of-7 from 3-point range and 2-of-14 overall; if they don't pick it up at both ends of the floor, they are in serious danger of heading home 0-2 in the Sunshine Slam.

Sunshine Slam concludes with UNLV vs. Richmond

UNLV has less than 24 hours to move on from Monday’s loss to Florida State, because a tough Richmond squad is waiting for them in the consolation bracket of the Sunshine Slam (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.).

Can the Scarlet and Gray recover and leave Florida with at least one win?

Three keys to watch:

Where’s the defense?

The Scarlet and Gray played none in Monday’s loss to Florida State, allowing their opponents to shoot better than 62% from the field. Head coach Kevin Kruger and senior forward Jalen Hill both acknowledged it’s almost impossible to win behind such a terrible defensive performance, so what’s the solution?

One answer might be starting Kalib Boone at center. Boone is coming off the bench and splitting minutes nearly evenly with starting center Isaiah Cottrell, but Boone is the superior defender.

Is it too early to make lineup changes? Kruger may have a decision to make soon.

Thomas impressive

It hasn’t taken freshman D.J. Thomas long to get acclimated to Division I basketball. He had another superb offensive showing against Florida State, totaling 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting while dishing out six assists in 37 minutes, but he needs help.

UNLV struggled to break the Florida State press when someone other than Thomas was tasked with dribbling upcourt. Richmond doesn’t have the length and athleticism to pull off a similar defensive approach, but it wouldn’t hurt if UNLV could come up with a secondary ballhandler to take some of the pressure off the kid.

Be prepared

UNLV looked underprepared at the start of Monday’s game, and senior forward Jalen Hill confirmed as much after the game, saying the Scarlet and Gray played “timid” in the opening minutes against Florida State. By the time they found their footing, they trailed by double digits and could never make up the gap.

Another slow start today against Richmond would be very concerning, especially because UNLV is a veteran team. More energy after the opening tip is something this team needs; lackluster intensity is not going to cut it.

UNLV leaders

Scoring

Kalib Boone: 14.3 points

Rebounds

Jalen Hill: 7.5 rebounds

Assists

D.J. Thomas: 6.3 assists

Richmond leaders

Scoring

Jordan King: 18.0 points

Rebounds

Neal Quinn: 6.7 rebounds

Assists

Neal Quinn: 5.3 rebounds

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.