UNLV Basketball

Everyone loves a good, scrappy defender. Hustle should always be applauded. A high basketball IQ is an important asset for a young player. The mid-range game is a lost art form.

There are, however, certain on-court exploits which never fail to deliver an extra heavy dose of blissful adrenaline.

The slam dunk. The alley-oop. The crowd-pleasing ‘posterization’.

The 360-transition-windmill-tomahawk-rim-rattling-power jam, with authority, over two defenders.

The ‘get-that-weak-nonsense-outta-here’ swinging-spike rejection, sending the ball sailing into the twelfth row, and inspiring a jovial chorus of “YOU GOT SWATTED” from a merry assembly of students.

Fans love the sizzle that athleticism provides.

The Mountain West Conference can boast its fair share of spectacular athletes heading into a fresh season.

As part of an ongoing preview of the upcoming MWC campaign, I now humbly attempt to tackle a ranking of the 10 best, high-flying, play-making, crowd-pleasing athletes in the MWC.

10. Afam Muojeke, Wyoming

The talented sophomore is a nifty athlete of the smooth variety.  He may not overwhelm with jaw-dropping explosiveness, but he is graceful, quick, and more than capable of rising up and throwing one down.

Muojeke's teammate, Adam Waddell, deserves a nod for providing one of the most incredible dunks in history.  Unfortunately, it was an accident and he nearly broke his neck. This list is not for him.

9. Jackson Emery, BYU

The smallest player to make the cut, Emery is also perhaps the conference's most underrated athlete. 

Though often regarded as a three point shooter and strong defender, he frequently demonstrated his springiness last year for the Cougars, skying for rebounds, dunks, and an occasional startling rejection.

8. Will Brown, New Mexico

The strapping big man may be the strongest player in the conference. He can muscle an opponent out of his way, and has the nimbleness to harness his brawn effectively.

His unique combination of strength and quickness will make him a force down low for the Lobos.

7. Phillip McDonald, New Mexico

McDonald has big shoes to fill if he hopes to produce the same type of highlight reel plays Lobo fans have come to expect.

NCAA slam dunk champ Tony Dandridge and current Boston Celtic J.R. Giddens, both former Lobos, set the bar extremely high.

While McDonald may not be as outrageously incendiary on a fast break as his predecessors, he too can fly high and inspire some awe.

6. Harvey Perry, Colorado State

Perry has Rams' fans salivating. 

The Senior dazzled in an exhibition dunk contest at a fan-friendly season kick off, soaring over the team manager, and twisting and twirling on several spectacular slams.

The high-flying Ram forward hopes to hypnotize foes with his skywalking antics.  

5. Chace Stanback, UNLV

Stanback is buttery and agile; a slick rebounder and a wispy slasher.  

He has length. He has speed. He is a sneaky, finesse athlete that can lull a defender to sleep, and then erupt with a power move and a malevolent finish.

4. Evan Washington, Air Force

It's fitting that the young Air Force Pilot would feel so comfortable soaring above the court. 

Though slight, Washington is one of the best vertical leapers in the MWC. He has a knack for the spectacular finish, and finds a way to score in traffic over bigger players.

When he finds a lane in the open court, or on a trademark back door cut, he knows exactly what to do with the ball. He makes the rim pay and the fans get giddy.

3. Derrick Jasper, UNLV

He's big, strong, fast, and skilled. 

He runs like a gazelle. He can chase down a play from behind for a sensational block , and can explode to the rim for a jackhammer jam .   

Jasper is a contender for the top spot on this list, but still needs to demonstrate his knees are fully healthy. If they are, he'll be an absolute beast.

2. Billy White, Tyrone Shelley, Malcolm Thomas, and Kawhi Leonard; San Diego State

The Aztecs may have the most athletic team in the relatively brief history of the MWC. 

The fearsome foursome are an unrivaled combination of speed, strength, and explosive hops. Aztecs fans will be treated to a veritable smorgasbord of dunks, blocked shots, and routinely electrifying shenanigans .

Any one of them, individually, is capable of putting on a face-melting thrill of a show. Together, they're beyond frightening. 

There will be fireworks. Jaws will drop. Minds will be blown.

1. Carlon Brown, Utah

Until someone knocks him off the top of the heap, Carlon Brown is the undisputed champion of this list.

Brown is arguably the best fast break finisher , not just in the conference, but in the nation. Last year, he provided numerous, spectacular, open court slams, including a memorable ferocious facial of eventual number one pick Blake Griffin.

With his explosive hops and aggressive determination, Brown is the odds on favorite to lead the conference once again in ridiculous, jaw-dropping , highlight-reel slam dunks.

The MWC is stacked with athletic firepower. The fun begins in a matter of days.

In mid-February 2009, the basketball landscape of the Mountain West Conference appeared as rich and healthy as it had in the ten year existence of the conference.

Five of the conference’s nine participants were in legitimate contention for an NCAA tournament bid. Half a dozen seniors were popping up in NBA mock drafts. Coaches, University Presidents, and Conference officials were cheerfully politicking, alleging a perceived lack of respect for a grossly underrated conference.

Five months later, the conference collectively shook its head and shrugged at what can only be described as a collapse.

Utah and BYU quickly flamed out of the NCAA tournament in somewhat embarrassing fashion.

New Mexico blew their chance at an NCAA bid, losing to a CBI bound Wyoming team in the first round of the conference tourney.

UNLV’s promising start was undone by an ignominious four win, six loss stretch to finish the year.

San Diego State finished strong, but few outside of Southern California were enthused by a trip to the Final Four of the NIT (Nationally Irrelevant Tournament, Not Important Tournament, Nobody’s Interested Tournament, etc).

Not a single representative of the MWC heard their name called on draft night.

The conference-wide swoon came at the tail end of what was supposed to be a banner year for the Mountain West. On the heels of a spectacular football campaign, punctuated by a Utah victory in the Sugar Bowl, the basketball season featured a slew of experienced, seemingly talented, senior laden rosters.

Unfortunately, the teams stumbled in March, when it mattered most.

On the doorstep of a new season, the MWC hopes to avoid a repeat performance.

Reasons for optimism abound.

Several programs have reloaded their rosters with transfers. Several coaches are entering their second or third year and looking to build momentum. Several key players return, determined to take the next step.

In just a few short weeks, the journey begins.

A team by team look around the MWC, projected conference record in parentheses:

San Diego State (13-3)

Lorrenzo Wade, Kyle Spain, Richie Williams, and Ryan Amoroso are all gone. Unbelievably, the Aztecs may still have the most talented roster in the MWC.

Steve Fisher has reloaded. Billy White and DJ Gay will be joined by transfers Brian Carlwell, Tyrone Shelley, Malcolm Thomas, and preseason Freshman of the Year Kawhi Leonard.

If all that talent clicks, the Aztecs can be scary good.

They’ll be good enough to overwhelm most of their non-conference opponents with their athleticism, and will be rounding into midseason form just in time for conference play.

Team MVP: Billy White

White is crazy athletic. He’s one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the conference. White will have a bigger role in the offense, and will evolve into one of the conference’s most productive players.

X-Factor: DJ Gay

Gay has gotten lost in the shuffle and the buzz surrounding the influx of talent. Gay will likely be the PG, responsible for leading the team and running the offense. How far the Aztecs go will be directly related to Gay’s ability to run the show.

BYU (12-4)

The Cougars are an obvious favorite to win the conference title. They return their team nearly intact, and they tied for the conference regular season crown last season. Dave Rose is an outstanding coach, and they are near impossible to beat at home.

However, the impact Lee Cummard’s absence will have on this team is being grossly underrated. He was arguably the Cougars’ best shooter, passer, rebounder, defender, and free throw shooter, as well as their leader. He did everything.

Jimmer Fredette is a great offensive player, but Rose needs Jackson Emery or Charles Abuou (or both) to have a breakout year to replace the production of Cummard. If not, the Cougars will take a small step back this year.

Team MVP: Jimmer Freddette

Jimmer can score. He a very good shooter, and a remarkably crafty penetrator. He runs the Cougar offense expertly, and will likely lead the team in points, assists, and possibly steals.

X-Factor: Jonathan Tavernari

Everyone knows Tavernari can light it up, but he can also shoot his team right out of a game. If the streaky Brazilian can improve his shot selection and exercise some control, he can be an all-conference caliber player. If he starts turning in 3-for-11 and 4-for-17 performances with any regularity, the Cougars won’t live up to expectations.

 
UNLV (12-4)

Finally Rebels’ fans get to see Derrick Jasper and Chace Stanback on the court. Coach Lon Kruger has high hopes for his two new weapons. They will team up with Tre’Von Willis to try to erase the disappointing memories of last season.

For my full UNLV preview, click here .

Team MVP: Derrick Jasper

If Jasper is half as good as Rebel fans are hyping him to be, UNLV will be in contention for the conference title. He’s an explosive 6’6” PG who can score, rebound, and distribute the ball.

X-factor: Matt Shaw

The Rebels have been in desperate need of a quality big man for the last two years. Shaw sat out last year after tearing his ACL, and is the most likely candidate to man the post for the UNLV. Without an inside presence, the Rebels won’t be able to compete for the MWC crown.

New Mexico (9-7)

The Lobos, like just about every team in the conference, were hit hard by graduation. Tony Dandridge, Daniel Farris, and Chad Toppert have moved on.

Steve Alford’s squad will be young, and raw. They have enough talent to compete with anyone in the conference, but are likely to endure some growing pains throughout the season.

New Mexico will, as always, be very difficult to be at the Pit, but their youth will show on the road.

Team MVP: Roman Martinez

Martinez is the lone Senior on the Lobos’ roster. He is a very good three point shooter, a good scorer, and a solid rebounder. The leadership burden falls squarely on his shoulders.

X-factor: Philip McDonald

The highly touted recruit showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman, but Alford needs him to be consistently productive. Someone has to step up and help Martinez carry the load. McDonald is their best bet.

TCU (7-9)

Coach Jim Christian has the program headed in the right direction. The Frogs are poised to climb a few rungs on the conference ladder.

When Zvonko Buljan keeps his emotions in check, he’s one of the best players in the conference. Edvinas Ruzgas is a terrific shooter, and 'Tuffy' Moss is a great young player.

Last season, TCU was near the bottom of the conference in defense and rebounding. With moderate improvement in those two areas, TCU will make the move into the top half of the standings.

Team MVP: Zvonko Buljan

He’s emotional, but he can play. His versatility will make him one of the most difficult players in the league to guard. He recorded double digit rebounds 10 times last year. It won’t be a surprise if he leads the conference in that category this year.

X-Factor: Ronnie “Tuffy” Moss

Moss needs to step up and form the other half of a 1-2 punch with Buljan. Without help from Moss, even a brilliant season from Buljan will leave TCU near the conference cellar.

Utah (7-9)

The Utes were the best team in the conference last year. They lost conference POY Luke Nevill and three of their other top four players.

He may not be willing to admit it, but coach Jim Boylen is in rebuilding mode.

Carlon Brown and Luka Drca are looking to lead their young teammates to postseason play. The Utes will have to buy in to Boylen’s message and grind out victories with toughness and defense. A lack of offensive firepower will be a recurring issue.

Team MVP: Carlon Brown

Brown is one of the best athletes in the country. He is an explosive finisher, and this year will counted on to score in more traditional ways. With a consistent jumper, he’d be one of the best players in the conference.

X-Factor: David Foster

Foster is really tall, tall enough to dominate the game on defense. He is returning from a two year religious mission, so it remains to be seen whether or not he is ready to play and contribute. If he’s up to speed, he’ll be a difference maker.

Wyoming (7-9)

The post Brandon Ewing era officially begins.

In Heath Schroyer's third year at the helm, the Cowboys are looking to become a defensive minded squad. They lost some firepower on offense, but Boubacar Sylla gets his opportunity to make an impact after sitting out last year due to transfer rules.

Team MVP: Afam Muojeke

Last year's MWC Freshman of the Year will now be the focal point of the Cowboy's offense. He's a terrific scorer and rebounder, and a definite all-conference candidate.

X-Factor: Boubacar Sylla

At 7'2", and 275 pounds, Sylla will make an immediate impact as the anchor of the defense. If he can be productive offensively and avoid foul trouble, the Cowboys will be in position for a postseason berth.

Colorado State (4-12)

The Rams took a step in the right direction last year. After losing Marcus Walker, they'll find it difficult to take another.

Tim Miles has done a nice job maximizing the talent he has, but unfortunately he doesn't have a whole lot to work with. The leadership load is now Andy Ogide's to carry.

Team MVP: Andy Ogide

He'll have to do a lot for the Rams. They'll run their offense through him, and he'll rack up points and rebounds. He'll need to be very productive for CSU to rack up wins.

X-Factor: Jesse Carr

To be competitive, the Rams need be extremely efficient. Keeping turnovers down and generating easy baskets can lead to upsets. It's Carr's responsibility to make that happen.

Air Force (1-15)

The Falcon's went 0-16 in conference last year. It's possible they could be even worse this year.

Matt Holland, Anwar Johnson, and Andrew Henke are gone. Promising freshman Trevor Noonan transferred. Coach Jeff Reynolds is essentially starting from scratch.

Team MVP: Evan Washington

Washington is one of only a few Falcons with significant experience. He's the best athlete on the team, but must improve his three point shooting to truly excel in the Air Force offense.

X-Factor: Sammy Schafer

The Falcons need an inside presence to be successful. Schafer can provide that and be a building block for the future.

The Mountain West is a conference fighting for respect. Another forgettable March, and they’ll be facing an uphill battle. The conference will ultimately be defined by victories in the NCAA tournament.

This season, the potential is there for several squads to represent the MWC well. The long, arduous trek to postseason glory is underway.

For Tyler Stimson's perspective on the upcoming MWC season, complete with roster breakdowns and postseason predictions, click here .

UNLV fans got a sneak preview of the 2009-2010 Rebels on Friday night, and the big men stole the show.

Small ball has been a buzz word around Las Vegas the last two years. Coach Lon Kruger discovered that playing a three-point shooter at center creates offensive mismatches.

Eventually, conference rivals began exploiting those same mismatches at the other end, much to the dismay of Rebel fans everywhere.

Small ball is officially dead.

On a night that was supposed to be the coming out party of finally-eligible transfers Derrick Jasper and Chace Stanback, the two were a footnote, overshadowed; all but forgotten.

Jasper threw down a couple of flashy dunks in warm-ups, but was a non-factor in scrimmage action.

The dancing referee was a bigger hit.

Stanback wore a sweatshirt and sat in a chair.  He is nursing a minor ankle injury suffered in a pick up game earlier this week.  

Rebel fans will have to wait a little longer to see what the duo is capable of. However, all was not lost.

The most pressing concern the city of Las Vegas had for their beloved hoopsters is whether the big men can play.

Question answered; concerns forgotten, at least for now.

All four big men played well.  All four big men showed flashes of brilliance.  All four big men showed they can score inside; they can score outside; they can block, rebound, shoot, pass, and run the floor.

Thoughts that seemed insane days ago begin to creep to the forefront of curious minds:

Santee a starter? Massamba and Lopez on the floor together? Shaw at small forward? 20 fouls to give without a drop off in production? From worst to first in rebounding?

This is the time of year where a fan's imagination runs wild. The collective performance of the UNLV big men did nothing but fuel the fire.

Particularly impressive were Brice Massamba and Matt Shaw. Shaw is back from a medical redshirt, and looked faster, stronger, and better than ever. He also reminded all of his feathery shooting touch.

Massamba was everywhere. He plays basketball with the reckless abandon and youthful enthusiasm of a school yard kid playing tag during recess. 

He is 40 pounds lighter, and displayed explosiveness and quickness; two words unlikely to be associated with last year's Brice Massamba, unless they were describing his method of cheeseburger consumption. 

Massamba may be lighter, but he and his teammates still have plenty of weight they can throw around in the paint.

For the first time in three years, the Rebels will have a balanced offensive attack; an inside-outside game.

Small ball is fast becoming a distant memory.

The future at UNLV is big.

Last year, Lon Kruger guided the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels to 21 wins and a berth in a postseason tournament.

The players, fans, and the Las Vegas community were bitterly disappointed.

Once again, expectations are high. Despite the loss of three of their top four scorers (Wink Adams, Joe Darger, and Rene Rougeau), Rebel fans are confident the team is talented enough to excel.

While the Rebels are clearly capable of competing for the MWC championship, they enter the year with plenty of question marks.

Last season, the Rebels were done in by a lack of size, leadership, and consistent offensive production. Their improvement in those three areas will determine how far this team can go, in the conference and in March.

Size does matter

Barring a rash of injuries, size will not be an issue. The real question is whether Kruger can use the increase in size to achieve an increase in production.

Rebel fans who had grown tired of watching gutsy SF Joe Darger get battered and bruised by opposing big men will be relieved to see more traditional big men under the basket.

6'8" PF Matt Shaw returns from a knee injury that forced him to redshirt last season. Like Darger, Shaw is dangerous from the three point arc, but has the size to hold his own closer to the rim.

Lon Kruger is also optimistic that freshman Carlos Lopez can make an immediate impact. Lopez is long (6'11"), skilled, and athletic. If the Rebels are looking to play an up tempo style, Lopez might be the best fit. (More on that later.)

Sophomore Brice Massamba struggled with conditioning and played mostly below the rim as a freshman, but has fans buzzing with his progress. The stout Swede has dropped 40 pounds in the offseason and is hopeful his slim new physique will pay dividends on the court.

Darris Santee played in 30 games last year, but looks to be facing an uphill battle for playing time this year.

To compete in the MWC, the Rebels need someone to fill the void in the middle. Shaw and Massamba (or both) are the most likely candidates.  Lopez is the X-factor.

Without consistent production inside, at both ends of the floor, the Rebels won’t finish at the top of the conference.

Take the lead

The UNLV roster is a melting pot of talent. Players hail from as far off as Puerto Rico and Sweden. Current players have made stops at Kentucky, UCLA, Memphis, Kansas, Arizona State, and Iowa State before finding a home with the Rebels.

Perhaps the biggest question for the upcoming year is whether or not the hodgepodge of talent can pull it all together. 

Throughout his coaching career, Lon Kruger has established a reputation for getting the most out of his players.

Last year, he didn’t.

Ultimately the Rebels lost too many close games. With the game on the line, no one consistently stepped up and led the team to victory. Perhaps they lacked chemistry; perhaps they lacked trust. Perhaps they were just unlucky.

Whatever the reason, it has to change.

The Rebels hope Derrick Jasper is the answer.

Jasper has yet to play in an official game for UNLV, having sat out last year after transferring from Kentucky. However, this is unquestionably his team.

Jasper will be the leader, the quarterback, the pacesetter, and the man with the ball in his hands with the game on the line.

At 6'6", and with explosive athleticism, Jasper has the physical ability to take over a game. At times, he will physically dominate the opposing point guard, muscling into the paint on offense and smothering the ball on defense.

Can he do so consistently?

Can he shoot?

Can he make clutch free throws in the waning moments of a close game?

If he does, Jasper will not only be a candidate for MWC Newcomer of the year, he’ll be a legitimate candidate for MWC Player of the Year.

A little help please

Fellow transfer Chace Stanback and returnee Tre’Von Willis will help Jasper shoulder the leadership load.

Willis is a fiery competitor and a terrific scorer. With Jasper running the point this year, Willis will play more frequently at his natural position in the back-court. Playing off the ball, his teammates will be looking to set him up to score. He could easily lead the team in point production.

Stanback is smooth, versatile, and athletic. On defense, he can frustrate with his quickness and infuriate with his length.  On offense, he can play inside or outside; spot up, penetrate, or finish at the rim.

He will be a matchup nightmare for the rest of the MWC.

Are they in slow motion?

Last year, the “Runnin” Rebels failed to live up to their nickname. The team’s style was methodical and deliberate, and at times difficult to watch.

UNLV eclipsed 80 points just five times last year.

In the final regular season game, a home contest against Air Force, the “Grinding” Rebels churned out a painful 46-43 victory, in front of a stupefied crowd.

It was like watching two sloths fight over the last leaf on a tree.

Those days are gone.

Early indications are that Kruger will crank up the tempo for this team. It won’t take long for an array of transition dunks, threes, and quick, easy points to infect Las Vegas with Runnin Rebel fever.

This is the biggest, fastest, strongest, most athletic team Kruger has had at UNLV.   

The aforementioned Jasper, Stanback, Willis trio are all at their best in transition. All three handle the ball well and are explosive finishers at the rim.  

Sophomore PG Oscar Bellfield is equally dangerous in the open floor. He has demonstrated the ability to take it coast to coast and finish, and is a great decision maker and distributor.

Junior sharpshooter Kendall Wallace is lethal in transition from beyond the three point line.

If Carlos Lopez can make the adjustment to the college game smoothly, he will have a major impact. Lopez’ talents make him an ideal big man for an up tempo team. He can block shots. He runs the floor extremely well. He is skilled enough to catch and finish on the fast break.

Massamba and Shaw are also capable of success in a frenetic style of play if Lopez isn’t ready to contribute.

Kruger’s calling card has always been stifling, pressure defense. He wants his team to harass the opposition, force turnovers, and create easy offense.      

After rebounds, blocks, turnovers, and perhaps even made baskets, the Rebels will be Runnin’.

So basically what you're saying is

With all the new parts and pieces at his disposal, Kruger will undoubtedly tinker with lineups and combinations. The Rebels are talented, but it will take time for them to click.

Fans can expect some struggles in the early part of the schedule. There are opportunities for quality non-conference wins, and the Rebels will notch a few. Eventually, Kruger will help the Rebels hit their stride, and when they do, they will be dangerous.

Despite some ups and some downs, UNLV will finish strong and earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Projected starting lineup:

G: Derrick Jasper  6’6”

G: Oscar Bellfield  6’2”

G: Tre‘Von Willis  6’4”

F: Chace Stanback  6’8”

F: Matt Shaw  6’8”

Projected record: 27-7 (12-4)

MWC Tournament Champions

·         2010 Schedule/Results
DATE OPPONENT TIME/RESULT
11/14 PITT 10:00 PM
11/18 NEV 10:30 PM
11/21 SIU 10:00 PM
11/25 HC 10:00 PM
11/28 UL 4:00 PM
12/02 @ ARIZ TBA
12/05 @ SCU 10:00 PM
12/12 KSU 7:00 PM
12/15 @ SUU 9:00 PM
12/16 SCUS 10:00 PM
12/17 WEB 10:00 PM
12/19 SCUS 10:00 PM
12/22 SMU 10:30 PM
1/06 @ BYU 10:00 PM
1/09 @ UNM 4:00 PM

DATE OPPONENT TIME/RESULT
1/13 SDSU 10:00 PM
1/16 UTAH 10:00 PM
1/20 @ CSU 10:00 PM
1/23 @ TCU 6:00 PM
1/26 AFA 10:30 PM
2/03 @ WYO 10:00 PM
2/06 BYU 4:00 PM
2/09 UNM 11:00 PM
2/10 UNM 11:00 PM
2/13 @ SDSU 4:00 PM
2/17 @ UTAH 10:00 PM
2/20 CSU 6:00 PM
2/24 TCU 11:00 PM
2/27 @ AFA 3:30 PM
3/06 WYO 4:00 PM

After a season that began with a lot of promise the Rebels did not play well at the end of the season.  The high points of last season was when UNLV beat Louisville on the road and also sweeping BYU during conference play.  The low point was losing to San Diego St. three times (twice at the Thomas and Mack). 

UNLV loses some key contributors in Wink Adams, Rene Rougeau, and Joe Darger.  The biggest loss surprisingly is Rene Rougeau.  He was UNLV's most consistent performer last season and to be honest Wink Adams and Joe Darger had disappointing senior campaigns.

UNLV had a very nice recruiting class with Justin Hawkins, Anthony Marshall, and Carlos Lopez.  The two players I expect to get some playing time are Anthony Marshall because of his overall skill level and Carlos Lopez because he will provide some size off the bench.  I would not be suprised if Justin Hawkings red-shirted this year because there simply won't be any minutes available.

UNLV also has a pair of extremely talented transfers in Derrick Jasper(via Kentucky) and Chace Stanback(via UCLA).  Jasper is a 6 ft. 6 in. point guard who started for Kentucky and seems to have fully recovered from micro-fracture surgery.  Stanback is 6 ft. 8 in. tall and should be UNLV's leading scorer for the upcoming season as he possesses a potent mid-range game and can score in a variety of ways. 

The key returning players from last years team are Trevon Willis(transferred from Memphis), Oscar Bellfield, Darris Santee, Brice Massamba, Kendall Wallace and Matt Shaw.  Only Bellfield and Wallace lived up to expectations last season. 

Projected Lineup

Derrick Jasper 6' 6" - Started as a Freshmen for Kentucky.  Will be UNLV's best player if he stays healthy.

Trevon Willis 6' 4" - Should be better now the can focus on scoring instead of playing the point guard position.

Oscar Bellfield 6' 3" -Will be the backup pg and fill in when Jasper needs a rest.

Chace Stanback 6'8" - Can score in a variety of ways and should be the teams no. 1 option on offense.

Brice Massamba 6'10" - Brice Massamba  will be playing at around 245 lbs. this season because he has dropped roughly 35 lbs. from his playing weight last season.

Key contributors off the bench

Matt Shaw 6' 8" - Could start over Massamba.  Provides some size down low and may end up being the teams most lethal 3 point shooter.  Sat out last season due to an injury.

Kendall Wallace 6' 4" - Has one job and that is make open 3's, which he did a good job of last year.

Anthony Marshall 6' 3" - Athletic guard that doesn't have a specific strength but should be solid in all aspects of the game.

Carlos Lopez 6' 9" - Tall but needs to bulk up from the 200 lbs he played at in high school at Findlay Prep(#1 nationally ranked).

Darris Santee 6' 8" - Has the best post game of any UNLV player.  He will need to rebound a lot better than last year if he wants playing time.

Justin Hawkins 6' 2" - Very good on defense but may end up red-shirting this year.

Next page I take a look at the schedule and make some predictions for the upcoming year.

I project UNLV to lose to 2 games out of conference and 4 in conference play.  I project UNLV to go 24-6 during the regular season and finisht tied for 1st with BYU.  After the regular season I also project UNLV to win the conference tournament on their home floor so that will bring the win total to 27. 

A lot depends on the seed and match-up for UNLV in the NCAA tourney, I think they will be good enough to win a game in the tournament but will lose in the second round.  So I project UNLV to  finish with 28 wins and 7 losses.

A scary thought for opponents in the season after 09-10 is that UNLV should have 5 returning starters, 4 key contributors returning and UNLV will be able to utilize transfer Quintrell Thomas(transfer from Kansas sitting out this year).  That team in the following year has the potential to make it to the sweet 16 and beyond.

Nov. 14, 2009	PITTSBURG ST	8:00 pm MT |		W
Nov. 18, 2009	Nevada	8:30 pm MT |		W
Nov. 21, 2009	Southern Illinois	8:00 pm MT |		W
Nov. 25, 2009	Holy Cross	8:00 pm MT |		W
Nov. 28, 2009	Louisville	2:00 pm MT |		L
Dec. 2, 2009	at Arizona	TBA |		L
Dec. 5, 2009	at Santa Clara	8:00 pm MT |		W
Dec. 12, 2009	Kansas State	5:00 pm MT |		W
Dec. 15, 2009	at Southern Utah	7:00 pm MT |		W
Dec. 17, 2009	Weber State	8:00 pm MT |		W
Dec. 19, 2009	South Carolina Upstate	8:00 pm MT |		W
Dec. 22, 2009	SMU 1st game of diamond head classic - 8 teams	8:30 pm MT |		WWW
Jan. 6, 2010	at BYU	8:00 pm MT |		L
Jan. 9, 2010	at New Mexico	2:00 pm MT |		L
Jan. 12, 2010	San Diego St.	TBA |
Jan. 13, 2010	San Diego St.	8:00 pm MT |		W
Jan. 16, 2010	Utah	8:00 pm MT |		W
Jan. 20, 2010	at Colorado State	8:00 pm MT |		W
Jan. 23, 2010	at TCU	4:05 pm MT |		W
Jan. 26, 2010	Air Force	8:30 pm MT |		W
Feb. 3, 2010	at Wyoming	8:00 pm MT |		W
Feb. 6, 2010	BYU	2:00 pm MT |		W
Feb. 9, 2010	New Mexico	9:00 pm MT |		W
Feb. 13, 2010	at San Diego St.	2:00 pm MT |		L
Feb. 17, 2010	at Utah	8:00 pm MT |		L
Feb. 20, 2010	Colorado State	4:00 pm MT |		W
Feb. 24, 2010	TCU	9:00 pm MT |		W
Feb. 27, 2010	at Air Force	1:30 pm MT |		W
Mar. 6, 2010	Wyoming	2:00 pm MT |		W

From Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner for Media Relations Charles Bloom (via Facebook) comes news that former UNLV men's basketball star, NBA player, and long-time UNLV radio and television announcer Glen "Gondo" Gondrezick has died at the age of 53.

Here is the press release issued by the UNLV Running' Rebels sports information department.

Referred to fondly in the sports world simply as "Gondo," former UNLV men's basketball star, NBA player and longtime radio and TV announcer Glen Gondrezick will be remembered first and foremost as a true Runnin' Rebel.

Gondrezick died Monday in Henderson at the age of 53. He had undergone a heart transplant on Sept. 20, 2008.

The graduate of Boulder (Colo.) High School was one of Jerry Tarkanian's first recruits at UNLV and lettered from 1973-74 through the 1976-77 season. Gondrezick went on to finish as the 16th-leading scorer in UNLV basketball history with 1,311 points and played a major role in the Runnin' Rebels advancing to their first NCAA Final Four in 1977.

"From being a great player for some great teams to spending almost two decades announcing Runnin' Rebel basketball, Gondo was an institution here at UNLV," Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick said. "He will be sorely missed by everyone who has worked with him as well as all of the fans who have followed his career and listened to the games. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Gondrezick's determination and hustle made him an instant fan favorite, and his style of play almost always resulted in scrambles on the floor and collisions in the scorer's table while chasing down loose balls. His jersey number 25 was retired in a halftime ceremony at the Runnin' Rebels game against UCLA at the Thomas & Mack Center on Dec. 27, 1997.

"He was as competitive and as tough a player that I have ever coached," said Tarkanian. "He was one of the most loyal people I have known, and that is one attribute I always use when talking about him. He is one of my all-time favorite people. I loved the guy."

Gondrezick averaged 11.4 points per game during his four seasons in Las Vegas. He also is ninth (831) on the Runnin' Rebel career rebounds list. A 1977 honorable mention All-American and 1987 inductee into the Rebel Athletics Hall of Fame, he was a second round NBA draft pick and spent six seasons in the pro league - two (1977-79) with the New York Knicks and four (1979-83) with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 5.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game over his career.

His best season in the NBA was 1981-82 when he averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 80 games with the Nuggets.

Following his NBA career, Gondrezick played two years in Europe (1983-85), which culminated with a European championship and being named MVP. Gondrezick would later return to UNLV, spending the past 17 seasons as a radio and television analyst for his alma mater.

"Gondo is special to the Rebel family," UNLV head coach Lon Kruger said. "He was an outstanding player and maintained his passion and love for the Rebels throughout his NBA playing career and then with his broadcasting of Rebel games. He will truly be missed by everyone."

Gondrezick is survived by his three children: daughter Britt, and two sons, Kelan and Travis.

Services are pending.

Related Link(s)

Glen Gondrezick: It's All About Heart (National Basketball Retired Players Association)
For first time, his heart is in question (Las Vegas Sun)

The UNLV Runnin' Rebels played the Kentucky Wildcats to a draw in the second half of their first-round encounter in the NIT. The problem with that? They were down 10 at the half, and so lost to Kentucky 70-60.

With Rupp Arena unavailable due to a scheduling conflict, the Wildcats hosted a game at Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 1976. The 8300-plus fans made more than enough noise to create havoc as both coaches had difficulty communicating with their players during the game.

The Rebels got off to a fast start, taking a 9-2 lead. However, the Wildcats came roaring back and outscored UNLV 32-15 to take the aforementioned 10-point halftime lead.

As Yogi Berra would say, "It was Déjà vu all over again.”

UNLV missed countless three-point plays, and with no inside presence, it looked like a mismatch as Kentucky opened a 20-point lead early in the second half.

The Wildcats were led by junior guard Jodie Meeks, their leading scorer throughout the season, who poured in 19 points. They also got a solid contribution from 6'9" sophomore Patrick Patterson, who played a brilliant overall game, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

The Rebels were paced by their senior and leading scorer, Wink Adams, who led a furious second-half comeback attempt. Wink had 14 points and four rebounds to end his stellar career as a Rebel.

Midway through the second half, the Rebels found their stroke from three-point range. Joe Darger dropped three from downtown, while Wink and Moe Rutledge each tossed in two from beyond the arc to cut the Wildcats lead to three with just a little over four minutes left to play.

Sadly, a referee’s whistle will be seen by many as the turning point of the game. Late in the contest, one of the zebras blew a call that clearly changed the outcome and ultimately ended UNLV’s hopes of beating both Louisville and Kentucky on their home floors in the same year.

Kentucky opponents have only accomplished that feat four times in the Wild Cats' vaunted history.

The controversial call came with the Rebels having a chance to tie the game with possession of the ball. Moe Rutledge, playing in his final game as a Rebel, was clearly tripped by a Kentucky defender, with the ball going out of bounds.

However, the referee swallowed his whistle, and gave the possession to the Wildcats.

Coach Lon Kruger went ballistic, and you could read his lips when he clearly screamed at the ref saying, "it's the rule," meaning when an offensive player is tripped and loses the ball the offensive team remains in possession.

I have watched just about every Rebels game in Lon Kruger's five-year tenure at UNLV and I have never seen him more upset about a call or anything that has occurred during a game as the coach.

The announcers of the game, clearly rooting for Kentucky (it was close to sickening), even agreed with Kruger.

From that point on, the Rebels clearly lost their focus and the game was a done deal.

I’m not certain of the reason, but from the powerhouse days of the Rebels under Jerry Tarkanian right up through today, I have witnessed a clear bias against the UNLV school.

Whether it’s the way the games are called, or simply the disdain shown to UNLV by the sports media, Rebels basketball seems to be treated unfairly.

This is patently wrong. Lon Kruger and his staff have done an exemplary job not only this year, but the entire five years they’ve been with the program. UNLV has a great college basketball program, and they deserve better.

Kruger has rebuilt this program from the ground up, putting them on the verge of once again being the powerhouse they were under Tarkanian’s leadership.

While the media and referees seem to disdain that, I commend Kruger and his staff for the very fine job they’ve done this year and over the past five.

I wish them continued success in the coming years, and will be watching as they do it.

Without question, Tuesday night will be a historic night for Kentucky basketball—just not the kind of historic that Kentucky is used to. It is historic not because of championship banners, but because the Kentucky Wildcats will get the opportunity to play at Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 1976, a venue where the ‘Cats own an unbelievable 306-38 record.

The night also marks the first time that Kentucky will participate in the NIT since 1979. The Wildcats will be playing in their eighth NIT and have come away with the title four times.

Kentucky begins their journey for a fifth title against the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels of the Mountain West conference. Just as the ‘Cats did, the Rebels struggled down the stretch. They have lost three of their last four, including a loss at home to San Diego State in the first round of the Mountain West tournament.

Overall, the Rebels finished with a 21-10 record, 9-7 in conference, and have victories over four NCAA tournament teams (Louisville, Arizona, Utah, BYU). The most impressive is a 56-55 win over Louisville at Freedom Hall without their leading scorer Wink Adams. Kentucky enters the NIT with only three wins over NCAA tournament opponents (West Virginia, Tennessee 2X).

The Rebels are coached by Lon Kruger, who formerly coached at the University of Florida, so he is familiar with the SEC atmosphere. He is in his fifth year at UNLV after a short stint as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. In those five seasons he has compiled a 112-52 record, and the Rebels are an impressive 78-25 in the last three years.

He has led them to the NCAA tournament twice, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. This marks the first time they have played in the NIT since Kruger’s first year in Vegas.

When Billy Gillispie was asked about the Runnin’ Rebels and their style of play, he compared them to Auburn, a team that Kentucky defeated 73-64 at Rupp Arena. The Rebels are extremely athletic and love to spread the floor with perimeter guys who can shoot it from deep.

Leading their perimeter attack is the 6’0” senior guard Wink Adams. Adams is a four-year starter at UNLV and has compiled over 1,800 points in his career. His scoring is down a bit from a year ago, but he is still averaging 14.3 points, which leads the team.

Adams entered his senior year with 165 career three-pointers and had shot 35 percent from deep. However, this season he has struggled from beyond the arc, shooting a career-low 26 percent.

Adams is a shoot-first guard, but he does much more than that for the Rebels. Despite his lack of size, he ranks fourth on the team in rebounding with just over four a game. He is also second on the team in steals with 1.3 and ranks third in assists with 2.8.

Sophomore Tre’Von Willis (6’4”, guard) and senior guard René Rougeau (6’6”, guard) are the only other two players averaging double figures, with 11.7 and 11.1 points per game respectively. Rougeau also leads the Rebels in rebounds (6.8), blocks (2.1), and steals (1.5). His 2.1 blocks per game ranks second in the MWC. His 56 percent shooting from the floor ranks third in the conference.

At 6’7″, forward Joe Darger is usually the Rebels’ biggest man on the court. Despite this, Darger is much more comfortable beyond the arc than he is in the post. Of his 241 field goal attempts, 202 of them have been from deep. He is shooting 37 percent from three and is fourth on the team in scoring with 9.2 points per game.

Kentucky’s most glaring weaknesses on defense this season have been their inability to contain penetration and defend the three. This is exactly what UNLV wants to do. Their entire offense revolves around the drive and kick. Look for Adams, Willis, and freshman guard Oscar Bellfield to get in the lane and find open shooters like Darger. The Rebels also bring two three-point specialists off the bench in Kendall Wallace and Mareceo Rutledge

However, on the other end they should have no answer for Patrick Patterson. The Rebels simply do not have the length or the strength inside to defend Patterson down low. Look for them to send multiple guys at him when he gets the ball in the post, but he should have no problem seeing over top and finding an open man. Remember against Auburn, Patterson finished with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 18 rebounds.

Often teams lack motivation in the first and second round of the NIT. Will the ‘Cats and the Rebels be focused and ready to play? Neither Kentucky nor UNLV wants to end their season on a bad note, and losing in the first round of the NIT would only add insult to injury, as both teams really struggled down the stretch.

Motivation isn’t going to be the problem; defense is going to be the problem. Both offenses’ strengths play directly on the other team’s defensive weaknesses. The team that defends better should move on to the second round.

The picture above says it all.

Although he gave one of the finest performances of his star-studded four-year career with the Rebels, Wink Adams came up short of leading UNLV to a victory over rival San Diego State in the Mountain West Tournament Quarterfinals.

This was the third meeting of the year between the two schools; the Aztecs having handed the Rebels their Regular Season Finale loss as well, and it couldn’t have been more heartbreaking for UNLV fans.

However, the Aztecs came to play, and with their third victory over UNLV, San Diego State notched their second at the Thomas and Mack Center, by the score of 71-57.

Wink certainly did his part with a game high 26 points. Tre'Von Willis had a double-double with 10 points and a career high 11 rebounds to contribute as well.

It was not enough.

San Diego State played unselfishly throughout the game. They spread the ball around the court with grace and efficiency, handing out 19 assists compared to five for the Rebels.

Four Aztecs players scored in double digits, with Lorrenzo Wade, a Las Vegas High School star, leading the way with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

The Aztecs will now face top-seeded BYU in a semifinal game tomorrow. I like their chances. San Diego State and New Mexico are the hot teams going into conference play, and it wouldn't surprise me for a minute if they both reach the finals.

Therein lays the problem for both teams. Utah and BYU seem to be locks to go to the dance because of their RPI, and at best the NCAA will give three teams a shot to go dancing. The loser of that game, if it happens, will surely join UNLV in the NIT.

For those of us who have followed the Rebels all year, this loss did not come as a big surprise. Their poor shooting percentage, their foul shooting woes, and the most glaring weakness of them all, lack of a big man in the middle were all factors in the Rebels demise.

Coach Lon Kruger made a decision earlier in the year that Darris Santee and Brice Mussamba weren't effective in the middle. He decided to go with the small lineup, allowing Joe Darger and Rene Rougeau to take on the taller opponents they would face.

In the end one might question his decision, but the team won 21 games and was in the hunt every time out. Crucial road losses to TCU, Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, and San Diego State ended any chances for a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

This ends what many will say is a disappointing season for the Runnin' Rebels. Perhaps the seniors can get a little redemption with a run in the NIT.

Then it's on to next year.

There will be more to come from this reporter on the Rebels. First and foremost I am a fan in good times and bad. There were some great moments this season, and the one that stands out was the New Years’ Eve victory over the Louisville Cardinals, who should be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, on their home court.

I thought that victory would carry the Rebels through the Mountain West Conference season, but it didn't, primarily due to the reasons mentioned.

So, let’s see what happens in the NIT.

The 2008-9 regular season for the Mountain West Conference ended on a losing note for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, as they lost their second straight 46-point effort to the San Diego State Aztecs 57-46 before a sellout Senior Night crowd at the Cox Center.

The Aztecs have now swept the season series from UNLV and have established themselves as the four-seed in the Mountain West Conference Tournament beginning next Wednesday in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center.

The Rebels have won this tournament for the last two years as a visiting team and hope for a three-peat, which would vault them into the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.

After attending Wednesday's lackluster performance against the Air Force Academy, I knew the Rebels had to come out blazing to beat the Aztecs on their home floor. Not only didn't they do that, but as the game continued, it became very obvious that UNLV's lack of a big presence in the middle will make their attempt at another championship a long shot at best.

Senior Kyle Spain led the way for the Aztecs with 16 points and was the team leader on the court. Up to the point when Kyle scored two consecutive threes, the Aztecs seemed to be playing even sloppier than the Rebels. They had 20 turnovers and the Rebels scored 12 points off of them, keeping the game close.

Tre'von Willis and Rene Rougeau led the way for the Rebels with 16 points each, but Wink Adams was ineffective throughout the game.

For coach Lon Kruger, he understands clearly that not only was this a disturbing loss, but he also has very little time to make the necessary changes to turn the fortunes of this Rebels team around. The main problem, as I see it, is personnel. His four leading scorers are all shooting under 40 percent from the floor, and although they play tenacious defense, their lack of height will most likely do them in.

In the best-case scenario, if the Rebels can get by San Diego State, their next game more likely than not would be against BYU, and the Rebels have taken out the Cougars twice already this season.

Utah looks now like the favorite to reach the finals in their half of the bracket, but I think New Mexico—who I said in early January, after the Rebels beat them in their conference opener at home, would be a force to be reckoned with—could take out Utah and reach the finals against UNLV.

Maybe, but I seriously doubt it. I hope lightning can strike for a third time in the same spot.