UNLV forward Lamar Roberson, taking a breather during practice, is sitting out this season after transferring from Houston. Photo by Craig L. Moran. UNLV freshman Troy Cage, shown in practice Wednesday, has bulked up and practiced hard as he redshirts this season. Photo by Craig L. Moran.

Behind the scenes, Troy Cage and Lamar Roberson are showing up to work every day. But in the middle of a promising UNLV basketball season, they are mostly out of sight, out of mind.

They lift weights five days a week, practice with the rest of the team and challenge each other in one-on-one drills. And then they watch.

They live Allen Iverson's nightmare -- all practice and no games.

Cage, from Baton Rouge, La., is being redshirted as a freshman. Roberson, a sophomore, is sitting out the year after transferring from Houston.

"There are points in the season when you say, 'Man, why am I doing this?' I get down and up, and it's a roller coaster sometimes," Cage said.

"You see some points in a game when we're down or whatever, and I'm telling myself, 'I wish I could get in and help.' "

That time is coming. They are paying their dues now, but Cage and Roberson are expected to play big roles for the Rebels next season and beyond.

"Those guys are going to be counted on, and they are part of our future that we're building here," UNLV assistant coach Lew Hill said. "This is the time they've got to get better. Sitting out is hard, but they've got to make themselves mentally strong."

Roberson was considered one of the nation's top 50 prep players coming out of Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina in 2005.

He played in 18 games, and started six, as a freshman at Houston but said he did not fit well in coach Tom Penders' system. After joining the Rebels, he began lifting weights for the first time and has gained 15 pounds to put him at about 215.

"The switch from Houston to here is kind of hard," Roberson said. "It's more freelance at Houston and it's more organized here, so I get yelled at from time to time."

At 6 feet 8 inches, Roberson has a smooth perimeter jumper and is probably best suited as a small forward. But he might be needed as a power forward next season to help replace senior Wendell White, the team's leading scorer and rebounder.

"Coach Hill recently asked me, 'Can you rebound like Wendell? Can you have a low-post game like Wendell?' As of right now, I'm nothing like Wendell at all," Roberson said.

"By next year, I should be able to do the same thing Wendell does, and play on the perimeter, too."

White praised the potential of both players.

"Lamar is basically like me. He can take people off the dribble, and he can shoot the 3 better than I can," White said. "Troy, that guy right there can jump out of the gym. He's going to be a great player, too."

Cage, a 6-5 shooting guard and small forward, also has gained 15 pounds since arriving at UNLV and is up to 190. He said he's similar to Roberson.

"The only way we're different right now is the way we work," Cage said. "I feel that I work a little harder."

Rebels coach Lon Kruger said Roberson has a few things to learn about playing with more effort.

"Sometimes, I don't play as hard as I can," Roberson said. "To separate yourself in college, you have to be mentally strong because everybody can jump and everybody has talent."

Hill said this season is valuable training for Cage, who was mostly a post player in high school, and Cage was receptive when Kruger said he planned to redshirt him.

"Coach (Kruger) is a humble guy," said Cage, also recruited by Miami and Texas A&M. "He came to me like a man and told me what he expected. He never filled my head up about what I was going to come in and play, and I respect that.

"He was telling me to tough it out. I'm doing this for the betterment of my teammates, so we can make the NCAA Tournament this year."

UNLV (15-4) loses five seniors after this season, so opportunities will be available for several young players.

"I plan to come out next year and play a role, whatever the coaches ask me to do," Cage said. "By my junior year, I will do some real big things."