The trip from hell — at least by Mountain West basketball standards this season — taught UNLV some valuable lessons this past week. Most of them good.
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Xavier Thames scored 18 points and No. 10 San Diego State used its defense to shut down UNLV in a 63-52 win at Viejas Arena.
Each season in college basketball, there are a handful of so-called surprise teams that far surpass most expectations. It’s probably accurate to stick that label to San Diego State, even if Xavier Thames disagrees.
Deville Smith took full advantage of just his fourth start on Wednesday. He will get a fifth at first-place San Diego State on Saturday. He is sure to remain in the lineup for the foreseeable future.
In an unbridled show of emotion after a steal, dunk and foul, Bryce Dejean-Jones pumped his arms, shouted and chest bumped teammates. He had a point to prove, and a three-point play was only his opening statement.
Though they still have a long way to go before having a big say regarding which team wins the Mountain West, the Lady Rebels suddenly look like they could be a factor in March.
How teams react on the road each season often differs more than a teenager’s mood. It’s easier to win away from home in the NHL, NFL, Major League Baseball and even some sketchy Argentine soccer leagues than it is college basketball.
It’s not just one that got away. UNLV junior guard Bryce Dejean-Jones has had a lot of time to reflect on two games to regret, and he admitted to being in a foul mood because of it.
Until recently, UNLV sophomore center Aley Rohde had no doubt about what profession she wanted to pursue.
As critics take shots at coach Dave Rice, whose approval ratings are dropping following UNLV’s back-to-back home losses, he’s getting too familiar with the downside of a high-profile position.