(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Last year, Lon Kruger guided the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels to 21 wins and a berth in a postseason tournament.
The players, fans, and the Las Vegas community were bitterly disappointed.
Once again, expectations are high. Despite the loss of three of their top four scorers (Wink Adams, Joe Darger, and Rene Rougeau), Rebel fans are confident the team is talented enough to excel.
While the Rebels are clearly capable of competing for the MWC championship, they enter the year with plenty of question marks.
Last season, the Rebels were done in by a lack of size, leadership, and consistent offensive production. Their improvement in those three areas will determine how far this team can go, in the conference and in March.
Size does matter
Barring a rash of injuries, size will not be an issue. The real question is whether Kruger can use the increase in size to achieve an increase in production.
Rebel fans who had grown tired of watching gutsy SF Joe Darger get battered and bruised by opposing big men will be relieved to see more traditional big men under the basket.
6'8" PF Matt Shaw returns from a knee injury that forced him to redshirt last season. Like Darger, Shaw is dangerous from the three point arc, but has the size to hold his own closer to the rim.
Lon Kruger is also optimistic that freshman Carlos Lopez can make an immediate impact. Lopez is long (6'11"), skilled, and athletic. If the Rebels are looking to play an up tempo style, Lopez might be the best fit. (More on that later.)
Sophomore Brice Massamba struggled with conditioning and played mostly below the rim as a freshman, but has fans buzzing with his progress. The stout Swede has dropped 40 pounds in the offseason and is hopeful his slim new physique will pay dividends on the court.
Darris Santee played in 30 games last year, but looks to be facing an uphill battle for playing time this year.
To compete in the MWC, the Rebels need someone to fill the void in the middle. Shaw and Massamba (or both) are the most likely candidates. Lopez is the X-factor.
Without consistent production inside, at both ends of the floor, the Rebels won’t finish at the top of the conference.
Take the lead
The UNLV roster is a melting pot of talent. Players hail from as far off as Puerto Rico and Sweden. Current players have made stops at Kentucky, UCLA, Memphis, Kansas, Arizona State, and Iowa State before finding a home with the Rebels.
Perhaps the biggest question for the upcoming year is whether or not the hodgepodge of talent can pull it all together.
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