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UNLV Basketball Preview: #85
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September 10th, 2009
by Joel Welser
UNLV Basketball
Overall Rank: #85
Conference Rank: #3 Mountain West Conference
2008-09: 21-11, 9-7
2008-09 postseason: NIT
Coach: Lon Kruger (112-42 at UNLV, 430-286 overall)
UNLV started out the 2008-2009 season very well, beating teams like Louisville and Arizona, but things did not work out too well after that and the team ended up in the NIT. Without Wink Adams, Rene Rougeau and Joe Darger, three of the team’s top four scorers, the expectations are a little lower heading into the 2009-2010 campaign, but a talented group of newcomers has the folks in Las Vegas looking for another postseason berth.
Key Losses: G Wink Adams, F Joe Darger, G Rene Rougeau, G Mareceo Rutledge
Key Newcomers:
The Runnin’ Rebels have three transfers eligible this year from Division I programs. Derrick Jasper is a big point guard out of Kentucky, Chace Stanback can score in bunches and Arizona State’s Steve Jones will provide more experience to the backcourt. The group of freshmen are not bad either and the future looks very bright with guards Todd Hanni, Justin Hawkins and Anthony Marshall headed into the program. Marshall, a 6-3 shooting guard, is the best of the bunch and could work his way into the regular rotation right away. Forward Carlos Lopez could end up playing an important role in the frontcourt as well.
Backcourt:
UNLV will miss their departed players on the perimeter, but it is not like the cupboard is bare. Tre’Von Willis tallied 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists last year and will take over the leadership role on this team. He is a decent outside shooter, but if he starts knocking down the long ball with a little more consistency he will turn into a superstar in the Mountain West Conference. Oscar Bellfield is not much of a scorer, but he is a great passer and a decent defender. Add Jasper as the leader of the unit, along with all the other newcomers, and this is a very talented group on the perimeter.
Frontcourt:
It is in the frontcourt where there are more questions than answers. Darris Santee started 21 games, but rarely put up big numbers. Brice Massamba is a big body who can clog the paint, but he averaged less than ten minutes per game last year. The best news is Matt Shaw is back after missing last season with an injury. He tallied 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game two years ago and the Rebels might have to rely on him to be their interior scorer…if he can remain healthy. Coach Lon Kruger will not need his frontcourt to do much scoring, but somebody needs to step up and at least play solid defense and block a few shots and grab a few rebounds.
Who to Watch:
The size of Stanback should make it a little easier for the frontcourt to be productive. Stanback is really a tall wing, but at 6-8 and 210 pounds he can play at the power forward position when necessary. If he can spend most of his time there, it will allow UNLV to rotate Massamba, Santee, Shaw and Lopez at the five spot and those four should be able to handle the job. And it would not be a bad thing if one of those four had a breakout year and allowed Stanback to move to the wing where he could simply shoot over smaller defenders.
Final Projection:
Last year was disappointing, but this year could be much better if Jasper and Stanback live up to their potential. There is plenty of firepower on the perimeter and Jasper, Bellfield and Willis can all handle the ball and, once again, the Rebels should have one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the nation. That will keep them in most games and allow them to pull off some upsets. Just like last season, it will come down to whether or not they have the mental toughness to win games on the road.
Projected Post-season Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Derrick Jasper, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Oscar Bellfield, Sophomore, Guard, 6.2 points per game
Tre’Von Willis, Junior, Guard, 11.4 points per game
Chace Stanback, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Darris Santee, Senior, Forward, 5.3 points per game
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Comments
Or Joel since your the
Submitted by Jeff6382 (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 12:43.
Or Joel since your the editor of preview, get in contact with soe people that are actually there so they can give you some accurate info on these teams. Just a suggestion.
GET THE MOUNTAIN
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 13:17.
I really think you should at least invest some money into your profession and get The Mountain. You make yourself look like an idiot when you write something up that you obviously have no idea about JOEL. #85!?*?? Please!!!!
After reading thew previous
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 14:49.
After reading thew previous comments, I hope the Rebels finish with an RPI in the 150's
Mo still contributes to the Guard position?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 15:52.
Did you actually write that after you had already noted him as a key loss?
But I do like the underdog mentality for this team...
Thanks for the good work!
Say What!!!
Submitted by Glen Emes (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 17:42.
Mr. Joel,
I would like to point out the most obvious sign that you dont know SQUAT!!! Mo Rutledge graduated last year!!! Man you should at least try and do some research so you can be taken seriously. Who in the world pays you to write? You and this magazine has lost all credibility with me because it clearly shows that you wrote something that you derived from looking at a piece of paper and not actual facts or evidence.
I'm not even a UNLV FAN and
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 22:58.
I'm not even a UNLV FAN and I know that this prediction/write-up is a piece of crap. I read all of the CHN top-150 reviews and I can honestly say that most of the comments made by the posters are true. Do your homework, brother. I mean, to make a comment about a team and reference players who aren't even THERE anymore is just plain irresponsible.
Steve Jones? Todd
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2009-09-10 23:41.
Steve Jones?
Todd Hanni?
Both players will be lucky to get 10 minutes all season.
If that's your best insight you need to find a new job.
Problems with this article
Submitted by emmadi on Fri, 2009-09-11 05:53.
Great job on the Key Losses Section. I agree with you 100%.
The Newcomers is okay not bad.
The backcourt: The obvious mistake is that Rutledge is not on the team anymore as you stated in the key losses section!!! The other problem is that Derrick Jasper will most probably be the starter and is possibly the best player on the team, and his name is not even mentioned in this section. You should have done better research here.
The Frontcourt: Chase Stanbeck will probably be the best player in this section and his name is not even mentioned in this section!!! That was a BIG oversight on your part. You stated that Brice Massamba is big bodied but you should have done your research and stated that he lost about 40 pounds! This fact would have made you article much stronger. Here is a source by the way http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/aug/24/slimmer-quicker-massamba-out-prove-he-belongs/
Who to look for: This section isn’t that great either (and I'm being nice). Willis, Stanbeck and Jasper should be the players to look for as well as the freshmen Lopez and Marshall.
The starting Line up: This section is a mess!!
The acceptable guards that could start are: Jasper, Willis, and Marshall. Bellfield will not be a starter.
The forwards would probably be: Stanbeck and Shaw or Lopez. Not Santee.
The center: Maybe Lopez or really any forward.
Now I'm not saying that I know the starting line up or even regularly blog but these are respectable answers that you could have given.
Joel, I hope that you improve if you want to be taken as a serious sports writer. I hope that you can see from the other comments, this isn’t just UNLV Rebel fans un-happy about their team not being ranked high enough, there really are some problems in this article.
Way to make college hoops net look like a JOKE
Submitted by Ryan Dumars (not verified) on Fri, 2009-09-11 11:50.
I didn't know college hoops net was a comedy act but you sure got me laughing at this write up. It is very obvious to tell that the autor of this article doesn't know the first thing about UNLV or doesn't even know how to do research to find out about what he is writing about. Good try but Joel when you graduate from sports journalism 101 try again.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Mike C (not verified) on Sat, 2009-09-12 00:06.
Joel i must say very impressive.... you like many others have no insight and no idea of UNLV or the mountain west. 85th is a bold prediction on your part... bold because you shouldn't have a job after this season.. UNLV is the ultimate sleeper team this year with stanback being one of the top sleeper players. Watch out because if kruger decides to push the ball at all you are looking at a sweet 16 run at least. Shaw coming back from injury is huge... but you probably have no idea who matt shaw even is and all the rebels perimeter players are extremely good defenders..
PS: Rutledge graduated last year... please give me this idiots job after this upcoming season! WOW!!!!! so impressed with the effort and work he put into this breakdown and preview! True brilliance from someone who doesn't know anything about west coast sports.
ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING
Submitted by RunninLarry (not verified) on Sat, 2009-09-12 01:39.
ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?!!!
"Joel Welser does a tremendous job covering college basketball. He gives his readers knowledgeable and insightful information on college hoops."
Knowledgeable and insightful? I think NOT!!! Obviously.. stop being lazy.
Rider?!
Submitted by JerseyReb (not verified) on Sat, 2009-09-12 18:37.
Not to bring up another team and another ranking. But although DeShawn Mitchell had a few moments for us last year... I don't think he'll be able to carry the MAAC team he transferred to, to that generous a ranking. Not just yet anyway. Plus, he DOES have to wait a year. ;P
Just a poor, lazy and down right embarassing article. But at least at 85, there are no excuses for underachievement this season!
Rebels Fans Are Alive and Well
Submitted by MWCHoops1 on Fri, 2009-10-16 10:05.
ENM
Hey Fans! It is nice to see that everyone is speaking out about this write up. I am the section editor for the UNLV section of collegehoops.net. I do not always write opinions everyone likes or agrees with and maybe I am occassionally incorrect about a couple factoids, but if you are looking for other analyses about the upcoming season, check the UNLV section of this site. I'd love to get your feedback.
And yes, it is ridiculous that UNLV is rated #85! I just cannot wait to see what our squad can prove to the doubters.
ahhh
Submitted by rebels (not verified) on Mon, 2009-12-07 19:04.
ahh, its funny to go back and read this now. You must feel like an even bigger idiot, were no. 18 in the country, 17 in coaches poll.
QCoySyoZWtF
Submitted by Motivation to lose weight (not verified) on Sun, 2012-04-08 16:26.
NrWLwR Thanks a lot for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more.
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About Joel Welser
Columnist
College Preview Editor
Contact
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Background
"Joel Welser does a tremendous job covering college basketball. He gives his readers knowledgeable and insightful information on college hoops." -Ernie Zeigler, Head Basketball Coach, Central Michigan University "Joel Welser writes clean, knowledgeable copy that always hits deadline." -Greg Eno, former editor-in-chief, Motor City Sports Magazine Growing up in Michigan, Joel Welser inherited a love for Big Ten sports. After defying all family traditions and not going to Michigan State, Joel headed out west to earn his bachelor degree from California State University, Northridge in Cinema Television Arts, specializing in screenwriting. For reasons still unknown, after his stint in Hollywood, Joel headed back to Michigan where he remains to this day complaining about the cold. Joel has found a successful formula with the popular top 144 series at collegehoops.net and has also written college football and college basketball previews and articles for various websites and magazines.
Location
Portage, MI
Sorry Joel try again
Hey man, i am sorry to say but you are not even close to what is happening down here. Jasper is at 100% and has been playing full contact drills now for months and is looking extremely good! He is now the leader of the team, not Willis. More importantly the guys have taken to him being the leader. No offense to the seniors that left but these guys coming in this year are on a whole nother level. Jasper is already our starting PG, even our coach has made it known that he will be. Willis is gonna be at the SG spot and maybe have the starting spot if he can beat out marshall(which wont happen). Stanbeck is very good, and is gonna put up big numbers. No here is where it gets interesting. Center will be Lopez all the way with massamba at backup and my own opinion is that Shaw and Santee are going to alternate at PF. Lopez just has that natural talent of attacking the rim, and he can run the floor, which puts him above massamba. Shaw is gonna get the start over Santee at PF. And i don't know why you have them at 85th!!! That is just laughable!! With the talent level that is here they have a chance at making a DEEP run in March this year, and i mean DEEP!
Maybe you should tell Shawn that i would love to write about anything UNLV. And that i would love to be the writer for UNLV. Again no offense Joel, but do a little more research next time.