Rebels practice for Canada exhibition

"We're talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice."

- Allen Iverson, on missing practice with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2002.

By MATT YOUMANS

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

If a player misses the opening act of UNLV basketball practice today, it won't be for lack of motivation. Although it's early August, and the games that count still are three months away, coach Dave Rice is certain he has a team eager to get going.

"Our guys love to play, and when you couple it with the excitement around the program, the guys are very much looking forward to practice," Rice said.

In preparation for an exhibition tour of Canada, the Rebels are allowed 10 practice days, beginning with an 11 a.m. session at the Mendenhall Center. But Rice's roll call might not result in perfect attendance.

Anthony Marshall, Justin Hawkins and Quintrell Thomas - the team's three seniors - will be present. The same goes for juniors Mike Moser and Carlos Lopez and sophomore Bryce Dejean-Jones.

How about incoming freshmen Katin Reinhardt, Daquan Cook, Savon Goodman and Demetris Morant? Check. Even the transfers, Khem Birch and Roscoe Smith, will take the floor.

So who is expected to be missing? The lone holdout could be Anthony Bennett, a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Findlay Prep.

But we're talking about practice, not the games in November. While Bennett has been cleared academically to practice and compete in the fall, his status for August is doubtful at best.

"That one is still up in the air," Rice said. "Most likely, he will not be able to practice."

Incoming players are required to pass three credits in the summer to participate in exhibition practices and games this month, and because the NCAA did not approve Bennett's eligibility until July 26, he was unable to enroll in summer school on time.

Bennett, a McDonald's All-American ranked by ESPN.com and Rivals.com as the nation's No. 7 prospect in the class of 2012, is one of the players Rice was most excited to see on the Canada trip. But it appears his UNLV debut must wait.

Birch, a 6-9 center who transferred from Pittsburgh in January, will practice but cannot travel for the exhibitions. He is expected to become eligible at the semester break in December.

Smith, a 6-8 forward who transferred from Connecticut after his sophomore year, might miss the exhibitions, too. UNLV submitted a waiver to the NCAA last month to seek Smith's immediate eligibility.

"If the waiver is approved, Roscoe will be able to play in Canada," Rice said.

The Rebels are scheduled to play two games in Ottawa (Aug. 18, 19) and two games in Montreal (Aug. 20, 21). Rice, who has eight newcomers on the roster, is planning a pair of two-a-day practices.

"I think this is particularly important because of the number of new guys we have, and it's going to take some time to integrate the new guys with the returning guys," he said. "It will be good for me as a coach to see guys in different situations and see different lineups.

"We all know we didn't play well on the road last season, especially down the stretch. This is not the same or as tough as going to New Mexico or San Diego State, but it helps to simulate playing on the road."

Rice also hopes additional playing time will help Marshall adapt to the starting point guard role. He handled some point duties last season behind senior Oscar Bellfield, but now the job is his with Hawkins, Reinhardt and Cook as the backups.

Reinhardt, from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei High School and the nation's 38th-ranked recruit by Rivals.com, is a combo guard. Cook, from St. Frances High in Baltimore, is a true point guard.

Bennett and Reinhardt headline a recruiting class that ranks among the best in program history, and the infusion of talent parlayed with the returning players is fueling speculation UNLV could be ranked in the top 10 during the 2012-13 season.

On Feb. 1, the Rebels were 21-3 and ranked No. 11 in the nation before fading to a 26-9 finish in Rice's first year.

"It's not my job to manage expectations," Rice said. "My job is to make sure we practice hard every day and prepare to live up to those expectations, whatever they may be."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.