Rebels’ size advantage at center of plan to end Aztecs’ mastery

It was said with a smile, but senior center Brice Massamba made it clear he in no way is amused by UNLV's recent failures against a certain rival.

"It always sucks to lose to San Diego State," he said. "We've lost to them a lot, so we want to change the trend."

The Rebels have lost nine of the past 10 meetings with the Aztecs, including six straight. When the trend was mentioned to Quintrell Thomas, the UNLV junior did not smile.

"It has bothered me a long time," Thomas said. "Every time they win, they win by two or three. It's definitely something that bothers everybody who's associated with the program."

At the midpoint of the Mountain West Conference schedule, the 14th-ranked Rebels (21-4, 5-2) trail No. 13 San Diego State (20-3, 6-1) by one game in the standings and one spot in The Associated Press poll.

The Aztecs won each of the past two meetings by two points, including a 69-67 victory on Jan. 14 in San Diego, and a rematch is at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Aside from its home court, where UNLV is 12-0 this season, it could exploit another edge in the matchup. "We can get an advantage inside," Massamba said.

Running in transition and firing 3-pointers represents the Rebels' offensive identity, especially at home. And while that trend will continue, unleashing the so-called "three-headed monster" might be another big key to finally beating a smaller San Diego State team.

"I haven't heard that term in a long time," Thomas said.

Massamba (6 feet 10 inches, 245 pounds), Thomas (6-8, 245) and sophomore Carlos Lopez (6-11, 215) form the three-man combination at center, sharing time in the middle on a team led by guards and wings who dominate the ball.

In October, UNLV coach Dave Rice said he was discontinuing the three-center rotation used all last season by former coach Lon Kruger. Massamba and Thomas would play the 5-spot, Rice said, and Lopez mostly would back up 6-8 sophomore Mike Moser at the 4-spot.

"The plan was to not go with the three centers, but conditions and just the way all three have improved and have deserved to play dictated that I have played all three at that spot," Rice said.

Massamba has started 24 of 25 games, missing one with concussionlike symptoms. Lopez, who got the other start, missed three games with two ankle injuries. Thomas, the primary center last season with 26 starts, has come off the bench in 23 games. Rarely has any combination of the three played together in a game.

"The other thing that has changed my thought process is the emergence of Moser. We knew Mike was going to be good, but Mike has been terrific," Rice said. "It has been a good problem to have because we've been very productive at those spots."

Moser, who averages more than 30 minutes, has become a one-man monster as the Rebels' leading scorer and rebounder.

Massamba, Thomas and Lopez average a combined 18.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. If three big guys are forced to share a one-bedroom apartment, egos could get hurt and relationships strained, but UNLV's centers have learned to coexist.

"Of course, we're supportive of each other," Massamba said. "Some nights Q will play more than me and Carlos, some nights Carlos will play more than me and Q, and some nights I will play more. It's pretty much the same as last season. It's up to who's playing good that night. We just bring a different flavor."

Massamba is the best facilitator for the offense because of his passing out of the low post. Lopez has the most versatile all-around skills. Thomas is a stronger defender and rebounder.

"Everybody brings something different," said Thomas, who had a season-high 15 points Saturday in the Rebels' 68-66 loss at Wyoming.

Said Rice: "Quintrell is playing at a high level right now. One of the many things I like about Quintrell is he always gives a great effort."

Massamba dunked to open Saturday's game and scored the team's first six points. Lopez was a major contributor by scoring 14 points in 14 minutes in UNLV's 80-63 victory over New Mexico on Jan. 21.

Massamba, Thomas and Lopez shot a combined 7-for-10 in the loss at San Diego State last month. But the Rebels were not effective with dribble penetration, shot 8-for-27 from 3-point range and failed to take advantage of their size and depth advantages against the Aztecs, who use a four-guard lineup.

"I think a lot of times, when things aren't going well, you need to go to the basket," Thomas said. "We're a running team and we shoot, and we just kind of fall back into habits. So I definitely think we need to come out and go to the basket. That's the best way to win."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.