Rice to Rebels: grab lunchpail

Setting an intense tone on defense is what Justin Hawkins does best. Two days after UNLV was tripped up on the road again, the senior guard took a defensive stance when confronted with questions about his team's perceived lack of toughness.

It's a difficult intangible to define, but the Rebels' repeated failures on the road raise red flags about their ability to win a fight when the going gets tough.

Coach Dave Rice raised the question Wednesday, moments after a 65-60 loss at New Mexico, saying it was his job to instill a grittier attitude in his players.

"Toughness is an important aspect of the game," Rice said Friday, adding that "diving on the floor, taking charges, getting loose balls" are qualities that define a team's attitude.

Hawkins pointed to inexperience and youth, and the fact UNLV started four players in Albuquerque who were playing in their first Mountain West road game.

"I believe we're tough enough. It's just a learning experience," Hawkins said. "I'm not concerned at all. I know we've got a lot of tough guys, and I know we've got a lot of guys who just want to win no matter what. I feel like from here on out we're going to put it all on the line every time we step on the court."

The 24th-ranked Rebels (13-3, 0-1) are back in their comfort zone today, when Air Force (9-4, 1-0) arrives for a 7 p.m. game at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Falcons, 15½-point underdogs, have lost 10 straight in the series.

UNLV is 9-1 on its home floor, with each of the wins by at least 12 points. So although Air Force is obviously improved from recent seasons, and is off a 78-65 victory over UNR in which senior forward Mike Fitzgerald scored 30 points and made four of his team's 10 3-pointers, it won't truly test the Rebels' toughness.

Those tests will come on the road next week, at No. 16 San Diego State and Colorado State.

"We have certainly not played to our potential on the road," Rice said.

Changes are being considered, Rice said, and one might involve his starting lineup. Junior forward Mike Moser, close to full strength after suffering a dislocated right elbow Dec. 9, shot 1-for-6 and scored three points in 14 minutes off the bench against the Lobos.

If Moser reappears in the starting lineup, does he replace sophomore center Khem Birch, sophomore guard Bryce Dejean-Jones or freshman guard Katin Reinhardt?

"I'm still figuring that out," Rice said. "Mike will absolutely play, and I'd think we would see him play more minutes."

Rice used a timeout one minute into the game at New Mexico after the Rebels allowed two offensive rebounds and fell behind 4-0 before breaking a sweat. The Lobos finished with 11 offensive rebounds, including four in the final 1:15 of a one-possession game.

"It's inexcusable," Rice said. "I think it's just a collective toughness. It's not just the plays at the end of a game. I still remember the first two (offensive rebounds) of the game when we had to call timeout. Those kinds of tough, hustle plays set a tone for the game."

The return of Moser, who adds experience and rebounding, to the lineup should help UNLV start games with more focus. Hawkins has not started since the season opener, and he's valuable as a reserve, but he might be more valuable in a starting role on the road.

"We've lost our last two road games, and in both those games we got off to rough starts," Rice said.

UNLV has lost six of eight conference road games dating to last season, but Hawkins said it's too soon for major changes.

"We're 0-1 this year. Last year doesn't matter," Hawkins said. "We're a different team. We're a lot younger team. It comes down to all the little details. I just think from here on out we're going to clean up everything.

"I have the full confidence in our whole team, and I know we're going to step up. We've got to keep doing what we're doing. I believe we're 13-3, so why would we go away from what's been successful for us all year?"

Of those 13 wins, only the one against Iowa State might be a candidate for the postseason resume. The next chance comes at San Diego State on Wednesday, when the road gets tougher.

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