Rebels thrive with small-ball strategy

One game into the season, UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger was down two big men and facing a dilemma. The team he had hoped to put on the floor was going to be very different.

On the first day of practice in October, the NCAA ruled that 7-foot freshman Beas Hamga must redshirt for academic reasons. After the first game in November, starting center Emmanuel Adeife was dismissed for complaining about a lack of playing time.

Two big surprises made Kruger change the identity of the Rebels, who were forced to go with small lineups and find creative ways to win.

With an 8-3 record at the Christmas break, UNLV has made a relatively smooth transition, and Kruger is not complaining about his team's new look.

"I like this as a starting point," Kruger said. "We're in a good spot."

Senior point guard Curtis Terry, junior guard Wink Adams and junior forward Joe Darger have emerged as leaders, as expected, to give the Rebels a solid foundation.

Adams has overcome early shooting woes to average a team-leading 14.5 points per game. Darger leads the team in rebounding (6.0) and Terry is tops in 3-point baskets (22) and assists (46).

"I feel real good about our potential," Adams said. "We're better offensively, and every game we get better on defense. The thing we have to work on now is closing out games."

UNLV has won every game it was favored to win while suffering last-minute losses at UC Santa Barbara (63-60) on Nov. 27 and at home to Arizona (52-49) on Dec. 19.

Defensive intensity and 3-point shooting are characteristics that will define the Rebels' season. They are defending well, holding opponents to 63.6 points per game, and shooting at will, making 31.4 percent from 3-point range on 23.7 attempts per game.

"We're starting to execute things better defensively," Kruger said. "Rebounding is going to be an issue for us the entire season."

UNLV is minus-4.6 in rebounding margin and has lost the battle on the boards in eight of 11 games.

There is only a slight chance the NCAA will reverse its ruling on Hamga, who performed well academically in the first semester and is practicing with the team. Hamga is often the first player to arrive at practice and the last to leave, and his future is bright.

The Rebels have a shot to win the Mountain West Conference, but Brigham Young remains the clear favorite with New Mexico and San Diego State as other contenders.

UNLV opens the four-team Duel in the Desert event against Kennesaw State on Friday and Nicholls State on Saturday, setting up a tough test against Minnesota on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"These next (three) games are going to be real important to us," Adams said. "The Minnesota game is going to be big. If we're 11-3 going into conference, that's not bad."

The pre-Christmas schedule has revealed the Rebels' roster to be largely dotted with question marks.

One pleasant surprise has turned out to be junior guard Rene Rougeau, who has started the past three games. Rougeau averages 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, has a team-high 24 steals and is relentless in the hustle category.

"It's a surprise to the public, but since I've been here, Rene has been playing that way," Adams said. "He's playing great right now. Now that he's starting, I can't see anybody taking his spot away."

Senior forward Corey Bailey is a strong defender who has not been aggressive enough to score. Sophomore Matt Shaw is a forward forced to play center at times, but is rarely effective with his back to the basket.

Bailey and Shaw, who started seven games before Rougeau's promotion, have the ability to contribute more.

The same is true for sophomore point guard Marcus Lawrence and guards Troy Cage and Kendall Wallace, two freshmen back from early-season injuries.

Junior guard Mareceo Rutledge and sophomore forward Lamar Roberson have shown flashes but endured long stretches of inconsistency.

"We need Lamar to play more," Kruger said. ''Lamar and Mareceo both have practiced well and they both are getting close to doing what they're capable of for us, which we need."

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