Kevin Kruger, shooting in practice Thursday in St. Louis, joined his father, coach Lon Kruger, and UNLV this season after playing three years for Arizona State. The senior point guard has been the catalyst in the Rebels' run to the Sweet 16, where they will play Oregon tonight. Photos by K.M. Cannon. UNLV point guard Kevin Kruger autographs a program after the Rebels' practice Thursday at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS -- Looking back on his childhood, Kevin Kruger said he always enjoyed being the son of a coach, even if his father was always away from home.

Looking back on his senior season at UNLV, where he has experienced playing for his father, coach Lon Kruger, for the first time on a daily basis, Kevin Kruger said, "With the way this has turned out, I couldn't be happier."

Father and son are making up for any lost time, leading the Rebels on an extended run in the NCAA Tournament.

"I think he expects a lot out of me," said Kevin Kruger, who has helped an entire team exceed expectations.

UNLV (30-6) meets Oregon (28-7) in the Midwest Region semifinals at approximately 6:40 p.m. today at the Edward Jones Dome.

For the Krugers, this season has filled a scrapbook with memories. The Rebels are in the Sweet 16 for the first time in 16 years.

Not since Jerry Tarkanian was coach has UNLV enjoyed such a level of success. And for Tarkanian, this season has recalled memories of coaching his own son.

Danny Tarkanian was the Rebels' starting point guard from 1981 to 1984 and is No. 2 on the school's career assist list.

As rare as it is to see father-son combinations in college basketball, it has occurred twice at UNLV, and both times it has been memorable for the right reasons.

"There is no downside to it if there's no question he's good enough," Jerry Tarkanian said. "There's no question Kevin is good enough, and there was no question Danny was good enough.

"If they're borderline, then you're open to all kinds of criticism."

Kevin Kruger, the Rebels' third-leading scorer at 13.4 points per game, played three seasons at Arizona State and took advantage of a little-known NCAA rule to transfer to UNLV last summer.

The twist of fate was perfect timing for the Krugers, and as Jerry Tarkanian sees it, an incredibly lucky break for the Rebels.

"Kevin makes that team go," Tarkanian said. "Without him, I'm not sure where they would be now."

It also was an odd circumstance that allowed the Tarkanians to be united at UNLV. Danny Tarkanian, who graduated from Bishop Gorman High School, did not like the idea of playing for his father and was set to attend UNR.

But in August before his freshman year, Danny Tarkanian was forced to change plans when Wolf Pack coach Sonny Allen's son, also a point guard, announced he was transferring to UNR.

Jerry Tarkanian flew home from Hawaii the next day and sent his son to Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah.

"My wife got so mad she threw me out of the house for three or four days," Jerry Tarkanian said.

It all worked out for the best, as it has for Kevin Kruger.

"Kevin is a great player. People still don't understand how great he is," Jerry Tarkanian said. "He's a team-first player in every way. He doesn't turn the ball over and he hits open shots."

At 6 feet 2 inches and 180 pounds, Kevin Kruger is not physically imposing, but he's a good shooter and plays with the intelligence of a coach's son.

"Obviously, when you look at him, you're not going to say automatically, 'This guy is a Division I player.' But when you watch him, he does all the subtle things well," Lon Kruger said.

During the Rebels' current nine-game winning streak, Kevin Kruger has averaged 15.9 points with totals of 61 assists and only 10 turnovers.

Bothered for most of the season by ankle and thigh injuries, he is showing that he probably has a playing career beyond this season.

"I think the way he's played toward the end of the season is more indicative of the real player that he can be," UNLV assistant coach Steve Henson said. "He just wasn't near 100 percent most of the season, which made him a guy who did very little off the dribble and was shooting hard shots and so many 3s.

"People need to recognize that's what he can do when he's healthy."

Henson was a four-year starting point guard for Lon Kruger at Kansas State from 1986 to 1990. He played six seasons in the NBA and three seasons in Italy and Greece, and he said Kevin Kruger has a shot to play professionally.

"If he can go to any of the (NBA) pre-draft camps and play well there, that will really help his case a lot," Henson said. "I think he'll get a look somewhere."

Kevin Kruger is also interested in a coaching career, but only after pursuing a pro career as a player.

"We haven't talked in depth about coaching, but he enjoys that part of it and being around it," Lon Kruger said.

"Just having Kevin around is a blessing."

And, for the Rebels' latest father-son duo, there has been no curse attached.

"I haven't really experienced a negative," Kevin Kruger said. "A lot of attention is placed on it, but if that helps get our name out there nationally and get UNLV some respect that it deserves, we'll take it."