Carter expects Rebels to dodge trap

Ben Carter doesn't want to hear the excuses from his UNLV men's basketball teammates.

The Rebels played three games in as many days at the Maui Invitational earlier this week and could walk into the dreaded "trap game" against Prairie View A&M (0-4) at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"We can handle the traveling," the junior forward said. "We're young 20-, 21-year-olds. If guys can't get up for a college basketball game, you know, doing what we love, that draws some question marks."

There were plenty of question marks the last time the Rebels faced inferior competition. UNLV played a sluggish first half against Division II foe Chaminade on Tuesday on the second day of the Hawaii tournament.

"Our game against Chaminade was a little bit of a hangover from the game before with UCLA," Carter said. "We had a very tough, hard-fought game. No rest in between, no time to prepare for a team on a short turnaround.

"It's important not to look over any opponent. This team we play Saturday, they're gonna come in trying to beat us."

The Rebels were down four points at halftime against Chaminade before routing the Silverswords in the second half for a 20-point victory. That win prevented a nightmare trip on the islands and instead ignited a successful plane ride home with a 2-1 record after an impressive win over No. 13 Indiana on Wednesday in the fifth-place game.

UNLV coach Dave Rice took notice of Prairie View A&M's near upset of Wisconsin on Wednesday. The small school outside of Houston, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, led the Badgers for most of the first half before falling, 85-67.

"I have huge concerns about (Prairie View A&M)," Rice said. "This is a quick turnaround. This could be trouble for us coming back after playing three straight days."

Rice lost some of his depth with the announcement of sophomore forward/center Goodluck Okonoboh looking to transfer. But the fifth-year Rebels coach is confident his energy guys and playmakers off the bench will be the key against the Panthers.

"It's the guys that bring energy off the bench that prevent trap games," Rice said.

Dwayne Morgan won't be providing a spark off the bench today. Rice said he will be starting for the second consecutive game.

Rice credited Morgan for leading the defensive charge against Indiana and crashing the boards. He called Morgan his most-improved player.

Carter went back to the bench against the Hoosiers and had his best performance as a Rebel, scoring 16 points.

Morgan (illness) and Carter (sprained ankle) didn't practice Friday, but Rice said they probably will play tonight. Senior point guard Jerome Seagears' status is up in the air because of the flu. Freshman guard Jalen Poyser could see his minutes increase against Prairie View A&M.

Stephen Zimmerman Jr. battled the flu earlier this week and missed the Chaminade game. He's expected to play tonight.

Forward Admassu Williams and guard Tevin Bellinger guide the Panthers, with both averaging 13.7 points per game.

It's almost a given that the Panthers will play zone defense against the Rebels and dare them to shoot 3-pointers. UNLV struggled from long range against UCLA (9-for-29), Chaminade (4-16) and Indiana (7-19).

Rice is hoping Jordan Cornish, who's zero for 14 from 3-point land, is the one to break Prairie View A&M's zone.

"We told him keep shooting," Rice said. "We have all the confidence in the world in Jordan."

Gilbert Manzano can be reached at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com.