UNLV Basketball

As the Mountain West Conference and C-USA agreed to form an uber-conference of mediocrity, the question has to be asked: When will all of these ridiculous conference realignments stop?

And the answer, unfortunately, is never.

As long as there are millions of dollars waiting to be made, schools—even those with rich histories—will constantly be on the move. Nebraska's in the Big 10, Memphis is in the Big East and Syracuse and Pitt will be part of the ACC. 

Now the MWC, a conference that was limited to the West Coast, will now have to travel across the country to cities like Tulsa, Oklahoma and Greenville, North Carolina (so much for limiting travel for student athletes), because some big wigs upstairs want to fatten their pockets.

Jim Boeheim was devastated when he found out that Syracuse, which has been part of the Big East since it was originally founded in 1979, was moving to the ACC.

What is the point of keeping rivalries if teams aren't going to play in the same conference?

Coming from a Las Vegas native, it's unfortunate to see UNLV lose rivals faster than Tiger Woods loses tournaments. BYU had been one of the Runnin' Rebels biggest rivals until the Cougars decided to do what was best for financial reasons and excommunicated themselves from the MWC. And lately, San Diego State has filled the void of BYU and had become an exciting nemesis for UNLV.

But with the Aztecs now headed for the Big East, rivalries are becoming that much harder to maintain.

I'd like to see the NFL split up the Cowboys and the Redskins, the Raiders and the Broncos or the Packers and the Bears. There is too much history there. 

Nebraska was in the Big 12 for over 100 years. Now they're gone.

Colorado and Utah now play in a conference called the Pacific—stressing the word Pacific-12.

Oh, and San Diego State is going to play in the Big East, along with Boise State and Memphis.
Yes, the Big East, even though the Aztecs play near the Mexican border.

Anybody who says these realignments aren't all about money is lying through their teeth. It's not surprising since we live in a world where the almighty dollar trumps tradition. 

What: UNLV Runnin' Rebels vs. San Diego State Aztecs

When: Saturday January 14th, 2012 at 4 p.m. EST

Where: Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA

TV: NBC Sports Network

Line: UNLV -2.5, Over/Under 145.5

As the Mountain West Conference gets its conference schedule underway, the biggest game on Saturday is between No. 12 UNLV Rebels and the No. 22 SDSU Aztecs.

This is the only Mountain West Conference game pitting two ranked teams against each other, and it should be an action-packed, up-and-down affair.

The Rebels come into the game losers of all three matchups between the two teams last year, and losers of five-straight overall.

Keys to the game

Game Tempo

Tempo will be major factor in this game, as it is in most of UNLV's games. If SDSU chooses to run with the Rebels then the advantage will be with UNLV—their team's motto is "Let's Run," and they are at their best in transition.

If the game slows down, SDSU will have the advantage. UNLV has shown to commit more turnovers in a slower style game, although they are getting more comfortable adjusting to a slower pace as the year progresses.

Three Point Shooting

UNLV is not shy about taking three-point shots, and first-year coach Dave Rice has given all the players the green light to take an open shot—a style that has paid off thus far for the Rebels.

UNLV senior forward Chace Stanback has been the Rebels' best offensive threat this year, scoring an average of 14.8 points per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from three.

The Rebels as a whole shoot 37.4 percent from beyond the arch, and have made 153-of-409 this season.

The Aztecs leading three-point shooter is guard Chase Tapley. He averages 17.3 point per game, shooting 52.6 percent from the field while hitting 50 percent of his three-point shots this season.

As a whole, SDSU have shot 35.5 percent from beyond the arch—far less than the Rebels 98-of-the-276 shots this year.

The team who leads the three-point battle in the game will have a better chance to come out of the battle victorious. 

Rebounding

SDSU has dominated UNLV over the last three wins against UNLV in rebounding, and it will be a huge factor in the game Saturday.

This year, UNLV and SDSU both average about 39 rebounds per game, but UNLV's Mike Moser is sure to be the equalizer in the rebounding department: He averages a little over 11 rebounds per contest. 

Guard Play

SDSU is led by guards Tapley and Jamaal Franklin this season, as opposed to relying on their big-man play a season ago.

Tapley and Franklin combine for an average of 32 points, 10 rebounds and almost four assists per-game. They also commit almost four turnovers per contest.

Washington State transfer Xavier Thames, could also be a factor Saturday, but this will also be his second game back after missing three games due to a sprained MCL.

Thames, who is averaging 11 points, 5.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game, might have rushed back too soon from his injury in SDSU's hard-fought victory over a winless Chicago State team. He only had four points, six assists and four rebounds this past Tuesday.

UNLV is lead by senior point guard Oscar Bellfield and junior guard Anthony Marshall, who average 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds a game, while committing five turnovers per game.

The duo have lead the Rebels—who average 18.8 assists per game—which ranks them fifth in the nation.

UNLV will look to shut down Tapley and Franklin with not only Bellfield and Marshall, but Rebels sixth man Justin Hawkins as well.

Hawkins is arguably the team's best defender. 

Mike Moser

The do-it-all UCLA transfer Mike Moser has been one of the biggest surprise players in the whole country, and no doubt will be a main focal point of the Aztec defense on Saturday.

If Moser gets going early, the rest of the Rebels will see more open shots, and drive-and-kick-out three-point plays—something UNLV thrives on.

Moser averages a double-double on the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds per game, and he has seen his best games in the Rebels biggest games of the season.

Moser starred in the Rebels three biggest wins outside of the Thomas and Mack Center against North Carolina and Illinois on neutral courts, and UC Santa Barbara. He averaged 22 points and13 rebounds in those three games.

If Moser has one of those games against SDSU tomorrow, UNLV should feel pretty confident leaving San Diego with a win Saturday. 

Prediction

The game will be a battle at first, but ultimately UNLV's depth and the fact that SDSU has played a weak schedule over the last month will tilt the odds in UNLV's favor, giving them their first win over the Aztecs in six tries.

UNLV Rebels 79, SDSU Aztecs 68

Monday turned out to be a great day for the Runnin' Rebels of UNLV, after obtaining a No. 12 ranking in both the AP and Coaches poll and receiving a huge commitment from Pitt transfer Khem Birch.

The No. 12 ranking is UNLV's highest rank since the 1992-93 season, back when Isaiah Rider was in his senior season with the Rebels.

The Rebels have a huge chance at making an even greater jump into the rankings, as they have a showdown with the No. 22 ranked San Diego State Aztecs in their Mountain West Conference opener.

The No. 11 ranked Georgetown Hoyas fell Monday night to the Cincinnati Bearcats, 68-64, opening the gateway to the Top 10 for UNLV come next Monday.

Only one thing could have upstaged the Rebels' new-found ranking on Monday, that is landing a commitment from a former McDonald's All-American, as they did when Pitt's transfer power forward Khem Birch chose the Runnin' Rebels over the Florida Gators late Monday afternoon.

Birch will be eligible midseason next year, as was the case for Marquette transfer point guard Reggie Smith this season.

After years of losing out on top recruits, the Rebels finally broke through this year by not only landing Birch over Florida and Gonzaga to name a few of his suitors, but also with the guard Katin Reinhardt, the No. 45 overall prospect of the 2012 class, choosing UNLV over the likes of Syracuse and Texas.

With Birch choosing UNLV, there is speculation that the last scholarship UNLV has to offer for the 2012 year will belong to either local Las Vegas guard and No. 1 overall 2012 prospect Shabazz Muhammad or Findlay Prep's power forward Anthony Bennett, who is the No. 7 overall prospect for the 2012 class and a close friend of Birch.

The future for the UNLV program seems to get brighter by the day under the lead of first-year head coach Dave Rice.

The glory days of the '80s- and '90s-era UNLV teams seem to be just around the corner and it is only fitting that Rice, a member of the Rebels' sole national title team from 1990, is the one who will guide them there.

Note: Prospect ratings are based of of those from Rivals.com

The 21st-ranked UNLV Runnin’ Rebels fired multiple shots from behind the arc Friday, beating California 85-68. 

UNLV has clicked lately, becoming a half-court threat for any team that steps onto the boards to face them. 

First, the previous No. 1 North Carolina squad was shutdown last month, and then the Rebels beat No. 19 Illinois in Chicago last Saturday. 

Anthony Marshall had nine rebounds and 22 points to lead UNLV.  Chace Stanback also contributed 15 points, while Mike Moser put in 14 points and snagged eight rebounds.

The Rebels have now won all eight games at their home court and 11 overall in Las Vegas. 

Oscar Bellfield contributed to the big win, scoring 11 points and 11 assists, helping to nudge UNLV’s shooting percentage to 49 from the field.  He also had half of the team's 22 assists. 

As the Rebels got the momentum swinging in their favor, they built up a 20-point lead at the half.

UNLV opened up the second half by firing off consecutive three-point shots en route to their biggest lead of the game (72-45) with just under nine minutes to play.

However, the Golden Bears crept their way back in, cutting the lead to 13 points multiple times in the final moments of the game, but could not find a way to pull even with UNLV before the final buzzer sounded. 

In the first half of the matchup, the Golden Bears led, but UNLV came together and took the lead with a three-pointer by Moser, and did not relinquish the lead after that. 

The Rebels would then go on a 21-6 run after the Bears got within one point. 

Stanback finished off the impressive half with a three-point shot from the corner as the buzzer sounded. 

Bellfield had nine assists in the first half and shot 54 percent from the field.  The Rebels were also five-for-11 from three-point range. 

Justin Cobbs led the Bears with 20 points and five assists. 

The Golden Bears shot 32 percent from the field, but could only finish with 38 percent overall from the field. 

UNLV will now have three more games before they get into Mountain West Conference play at San Diego State on Jan. 14. 

The UNLV Runnin' Rebels have broke into the rankings for the first time this season, as they cam e in at No. 18 in the AP poll and at No. 20 in the USA Today rankings following a huge 90-80 upset win over then No. 1 North Carolina on Saturday.

The Rebels must remain focused as they have a pair of tough road games up coming on their schedule this week as they face a UC Santa Barbara Gauchos team that beat UNLV at the Thomas and Mack last year and a tough Wichita State team that should be the toughest spot outside of their game at Wisconsin on UNLV's non-conference road slate.

The Rebels should have their guard up and not have a let down game that plagues many teams in college sports after huge upset wins, as stated before, UCSB knocked UNLV off last year at home and the Rebels should be out for revenge on Wednesday.

The Rebels have so far lived up to the immense hype that was placed on the team after their new coaching staff filled with ex UNLV stars and Mountain West veteran coaches implemented the "Let's Run" slogan, which had fans imagining a Rebel team similar to the one that took home the national title back in 1990.

We will see just where UNLV is at this week as they have yet to leave Las Vegas in their seven games so far this season, as the two road spots will be just as big of wins as the magical showing against North Carolina this past weekend.

Note: UNLV forward Mike Moser was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week for a second-straight week after averaging 13.3 points, 13 Rebounds and 2.7 assist in the Rebels three Games last week; including his 16 point, 18 rebound performance against North Carolina.

North Carolina fell to No. 5 in both polls as result of their loss to UNLV.

It was hard to see this one coming.  If we had known just how good UNLV could be, this might not have been such a surprise.

On Saturday night in Las Vegas, UNLV knocked off No. 1 North Carolina 90-80.  The Runnin’ Rebels were particularly impressive in the second half, outscoring the Tar Heels 52-38.

At halftime, it seemed like one of those games where the nation’s top team would gradually exert their will on UNLV in the second half and eventually lock up a win out west.  With a few quick transition baskets off Rebels’ missed shots and with some second chance baskets off missed shots—things the Tar Heels do best—it would be enough for them to win on a night where they weren’t playing their best. 

Those things didn’t happen.  In fact, not only was UNC unable to do those things, but they were ultimately buried by UNLV doing it to them.

UNLV played harder and faster than North Carolina throughout the second half.  The Rebels turned Tar Heel missed shots into lightning-quick bursts down to the other end, going all the way to the rim with the ball.  From there, Oscar Bellfield would exploit the recovering defense by either finding someone under the basket or open beyond the arc. 

UNLV hit 13 three-pointers in the game, including four each by Bellfield and Chase Stanback, who led the Rebels with 28 points.  Even when those threes weren’t falling, UNLV was often pulling down the rebound and giving themselves a second opportunity.  They had the same number of offensive boards (13) as threes made, and had four more than UNC, a team who normally dominates that statistic.

The ability of UNLV to minimize the impact of UNC’s big men—Tyler Zeller and John Henson—was a big factor in pulling out the win.  The pace of the game certainly played a part in that, but the ability of the Rebels to keep them off the offensive glass was particularly impressive.  Zeller and Henson combined for just two offensive rebounds in 56 minutes between them on the court. 

No other team this season may duplicate that against the Tar Heels.

The play of Zeller and Henson in this game, along with most of the team, would have to be considered subpar, but that should be more to UNLV’s credit than UNC’s demise.  The speed and athleticism of UNLV is right up there with anyone the Tar Heels will see in the ACC this season, or anyone they’ll see overall, outside of Kentucky. 

Combine that with the execution ability of the Rebels’ veterans like Bellfield and Stanback to move the ball quickly and find the open man even quicker, and we could be looking at a team, now 7-0, who will be a fixture in the top 20 for much of this season.

With games coming up this week against No. 11 Wisconsin in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and a much-anticipated game at No. 2 Kentucky next weekend, it’s convenient to say this was just a “trap-game” loss for North Carolina.

However, the more accurate assessment of this loss would be the result of running into a legitimate top-20 team with a significant home-crowd advantage who playing in their backyard in Vegas.

I think the questions about UNLV basketball are beginning to be answered.

How is Dave Rice going to step in and succeed in the wake of Lon Kruger?

Who will replace Tre'Von Willis as poster boy?

How will UNLV fare with a team of newcomers and transfers?

Turns out they'll do just fine.

To beat UNC, one has to play 40 minutes of nearly flawless basketball and hope that they have an off night.  An off night for UNC was an 80-point output 2500 miles away from home.

A flawless game for UNLV was a 90-point explosion against the No. 1 team in the country.

Chace Stanback was phenomenal with 28 points and 10 rebounds as he looks to be the face of the Runnin' Rebels this year.  But he didn't do it alone.

Oscar Bellfield chipped in 16 points and nine assists as he hit some key shots at crucial moments.  UCLA transfer Mike Moser also added 16 points and 18 rebounds and Anthony Marshall had 13 points.

A team with three players boasting near double-doubles is going to be tough to beat.

UNC had a four-point lead at the half but was outscored 14-0 in the first few minutes of the second half.  Every time UNC clawed their way back into it, UNLV would hit an incredible fadeaway three-pointer, or a no-look pass right under the basket.

Even the nepotism-tainted NCAA referees couldn't hand this one to the Tarheels.

UNLV has a couple of should-wins before they play Wisconsin on Dec. 10.  That will be the Rebels' opportunity to show us this wasn't a fluke.

Until then it should be interesting to see where the Rebels end up in the rankings on Monday.

Making an immediate impact in the UNLV Runnin' Rebels 83-66 season-opening win over D-ll Grand Canyon University, UNLV forward Mike Moser had 16 points to go along with 20 rebounds in his first game in scarlet and gray.

Moser transferred to UNLV last year but had to sit out per NCAA rules. His first game shows he won't need any time to get acclimated to in-game play and will be an immediate force for the Rebs.

The 20 rebounds Moser hauled in were the most for a Rebel since current NBA player and former UNLV Rebel, Louis Amundson grabbed 22 in a 2005 game against Auburn.

Moser did show he might have been too excited getting back to real basketball as he fumbled away a few fast break opportunities—something that will go away as Moser settles into his own with the Rebels.

Moser more than picked up the slack for Anthony Marshall and Chace Stanback, who were unavailable for the game due to being suspended for separate reasons.

Don't expect Moser's numbers to fall too much when Marshall and Stanback return for the November 14th match up with instate rival Nevada-Reno. Defenders won't be able to zero in on Moser with two other threats on the floor with him.

It is obvious that the Rebels new "Let's Run" style of play is a work in progress, but the improvement from their dreadful showing in their exhibition game a week and a half earlier was evident.

Look for the Rebels to shine as they will be a surprise team to many on the national scale. Only a few analysts have given UNLV any recognition at all leading up to this season.

With Moser added to the already talented UNLV mix, the question won't be if the Rebels will be a part of the 68 teams that will play in the NCAA tournament this season, but rather how far this team will go on the road to the Final Four?

As made painfully evident in the UNLV Runnin' Rebels' first game under their new head coach Dave Rice, the "Let's Run" style of play will not be a transformation made overnight.

UNLV beat the Division-II Washburn Ichabods team, 58-50, in an ugly game that the Rebel faithful was hoping would be on highlight reels.

UNLV was led by junior guard Anthony Marshall, who scored 14 points and nabbed 11 rebounds to go with four assists and four steals.

The Rebels showed that the new run-and-gun style of play is still a work in progress, but with the athletic players on the UNLV team, it seems like it will just be a matter of time before the running really takes off.

The Rebels were a team that would use most of the 35-second shot clock under its former head coach Lon Kruger, who left the team to become the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners this past spring.

The 58 points is a far cry from the level fans expect with the new run-and-gun style, but shooting 31 percent from the field on 15-of-48 shooting and going 2-of-18 from beyond the arch will do that to a team.

With a scrimmage this Friday against Loyola Marymount, the Rebels will have a chance to work on their new style of play without a crowd or media members there to view their progress, as it is closed to the public and media alike.

The next chance for the public to see what adjustments coach Rice and staff have made will be against Grand Canyon on November 11th.

If the Rebels come out looking anything like they did against Washburn, the UNLV fanbase will surely begin to worry. There has been much hype around this team, and any more early struggles will turn the excitement into nervousness.

UNLV plays in-state rival Nevada-Reno as its second regular season game, and will get back its leading returning scorer and rebounder, Chace Stanback, who has to sit out the the first two games of the season due to his offseason D.U.I. arrest.

Stanback's return will help the Rebels' new system of up-tempo play, as he is comfortable scoring in transition and has the range to hit outside jumpers, which will help his teammates get all the attention penetrating the lane and kick out passes for wide open three-pointers all season long.

Don't let the stumble off the blocks scare you; the solid UNLV staff is sure to correct the problems seen in the exhibition and have the Rebels sprinting towards the NCAA tournament come March.