Rebels’ Thomas erases doubt

SALT LAKE CITY -- Instead of providing the answer for UNLV in the middle, Quintrell Thomas was searching for clues. He was not playing much, and he was not playing well.

The 6-foot-8-inch sophomore forward wondered if his first season with the Rebels would be a bust.

"There were a lot of emotions going through my head," he said. "I questioned how good I was at a certain point in time."

Thomas is no longer doubting himself as UNLV (22-7, 10-5) heads into its Mountain West Conference regular-season finale against Utah (13-16, 6-9) at 1 p.m. today at the Huntsman Center.

After about six weeks of struggles, one game triggered Thomas' turnaround. He delivered career highs of 15 points and 16 rebounds in the Rebels' 67-54 victory over the Utes on Feb. 2.

A month later, he has posted two more double-doubles and rediscovered his swagger.

"The season has been pretty much a roller coaster for me," Thomas said. "It definitely does feel good to produce consistently."

UNLV has won seven of its past nine games since coach Lon Kruger promoted Thomas back into the starting lineup Jan. 25. Thomas had spent seven games as a reserve, falling behind junior center Brice Massamba and freshman forward Carlos Lopez in the rotation.

The Rebels' recent resurgence is due to improved perimeter shooting and better production from all three big men, especially Thomas.

"Those three guys have really worked hard and made tremendous progress," Kruger said. "They push each other hard and compete."

After demoting Thomas in late December, Kruger said the Kansas transfer needed to commit more time to the game. Thomas said he decided to "roll with it," and he eventually responded by showing up early to practice -- with Massamba and Lopez -- to get in extra work.

"It was a difficult time for me, but I definitely do feel like I've grown and learned how to bring it every day," Thomas said. "I did change my approach to practice. Coach gave me an opportunity, and I made the best of it.

"I come to work out more regularly. It's just little things like that to show that you want to play."

Thomas, Massamba and Lopez have divided 40 minutes per game almost the entire season, and playing short spurts and sitting extended stretches makes it difficult to get in the flow of a game, Thomas admitted.

If all three players continue to develop, Kruger said, "Maybe we can get two of them out on the floor at the same time more often next year."

Thomas, averaging 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds, is finally delivering on the potential that got him recruited to Kansas.

He had 19 points and 13 rebounds in UNLV's 77-74 overtime victory at New Mexico on Feb. 23. But he's not getting comfortable with his grip on a starting role.

"I still don't necessarily rest my hat on anything," he said, "because things change in a minute."

The Rebels have had a week off since whipping Wyoming, and the layoff came at an ideal time. Senior guard Tre'Von Willis, for one, had a chance to rest his sore knees.

"We're as healthy as we've been all season," Kruger said. "We had good practices all week. We've got a big challenge ahead of us (today) and next week in the conference tournament."

Off the bench and emboldened by his more important role, Thomas said he is becoming "more vocal" on the floor.

"I don't want the team getting relaxed," Thomas said. "During games I really don't speak that much. But when I do say something, I guess people kind of do listen."

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