The Runnin' Rebels of UNLV were having their xollective heart questioned earlier this season but, of late, all seems fairly copacetic in Sin City college hoops.
There was that 21-point homecourt loss to UC Santa Barbara followed by two quick defeats in conference to Air Force and then Nevada.
But Coach Dave Rice's guys followed up by beating New Mexico by three in The Pit plus hanging a 20 point loss on visiting Utah State.
But on Saturday, it took overtime before Fresno State was downed by a bucket so was that an anomaly or a regression?
Regarding personnel, there are no players of Larry Johnson's or Stacey Augmon's calibre calling Vegas home -- no behemoths or speedburners --but lots of promise dots the current Rebel roster.
* 6-foot-9 Khem Birch is the third leading scorer at 11.3 points (50% shooting) but the best shotblocker by far with 71 rejections and #2 in rebounding with 9.5.
* Roscoe Smith at 6-foot-8 is tops in the boards in the country with 12.2 alongside 12.0 points an outing and 54% shooting. He possesses 13 double-doubles in 2013-14.
* 6-foot-5 Bryce Jean-Smith is the best scorer with 14.4 points per game but quite streaky at 42% and 25% respectively. His 63/29 assist-to-turnover ratio is best on the team.
Each is a junior and a transfer from Pittsburgh, Connecticut and USC respectively.
* 6-foot-1 senior Kevin Olekaibe at 10.2 points each night has moved over from Fresno State with 125 of his 183 shots being beyond the arc attempts and a 37% connectivity rate.
UNLV is allowing opponents to shoot 39% overall and just 27% on treys while connecting on just 32% themselves from long distance. Let's see what San Jose State University can manage on treys.
You will not be witnessing the Jerry Tarkanian teams of yesteryear. These Rebels can be taken down.
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