Freshman point guard Marcus Lawrence is expected to make his second start tonight when UNLV hosts UC Santa Barbara. Photo by K.M. Cannon.

A year from now, Marcus Lawrence is expected to take over as UNLV's starting point guard. The freshman is getting serious on-the-job training sooner than anticipated.

Two games into his college basketball career, Lawrence found himself in the starting lineup, and also found out he could handle it.

"I wasn't nervous because I was starting, but I was anxious thinking about it the day before the game," he said. "I think I played pretty well."

Lawrence, a Bishop Gorman High School product, probably will get his second chance to start when the Rebels (2-0) play UC Santa Barbara (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Lawrence finished with four points, two assists and no turnovers in 16 minutes Tuesday to help UNLV defeat Eastern Washington, 82-79.

Lawrence was called in to replace senior Kevin Kruger, who was out with a sprained right ankle. Kruger, injured in last Friday's season-opening victory over Hawaii, is doubtful for today's game.

Kruger did practice for about an hour Thursday, and Rebels coach Lon Kruger did not rule out the possibility of his son being in the lineup.

"Kevin was moving around a lot better. We're still hopeful about (today) but just not expecting it," Lon Kruger said. "He's made good progress the last couple days."

Lon Kruger said he was pleased with Lawrence's starting debut and expects the rookie to progress as a floor leader.

"I thought he did a nice job running the team. In the second half, Marcus really set the tone for us defensively in the first few minutes," Lon Kruger said.

"He can improve across the board. Marcus needs to be a little bit more of a threat offensively, but he did good job of pressuring the ball."

Lawrence acknowledged playing cautiously in the first half.

"I was thinking more about not messing up," he said.

That changed at halftime when senior Wendell White and assistant coach Lew Hill got in his ear and asked him to be more aggressive.

"Play like you usually play and don't be nervous," Lawrence said of the advice he received. "I'm usually a creator and penetrator. But I'm not going to force any shots."

Fifteen seconds after halftime, Lawrence drove the lane and scored. He played only six minutes in the second half as junior Curtis Terry took over at the point.

Lawrence is not lacking for instruction. If Lon Kruger is not pointing him in the right direction, assistant coach Steve Henson, a former NBA point guard, is there to help.

"What more can I ask for? We've got a point guard (coaching) staff, and that makes me more comfortable," Lawrence said.

Kevin Kruger, who started 28 games last season at Arizona State, also has done his part to act as a coach.

"Kevin is a good leader, and I like that," Lawrence said. "Even though he wasn't playing, he was always in my ear every time I went to the bench. He was positive about everything.

"I'm ready for Kevin to come back because we need him, and I'm just playing my role right now."

* NOTES -- UCSB defeated Montana State 88-56 on the road Monday, three days after a season-opening 75-67 victory over San Jose State. ... The Gauchos are missing two starters -- guard Cecil Brown and forward Glenn Turner -- because of injuries.