Decade as UNR aide gives Carter head start as coach

It's correct to refer to David Carter as UNR's first-year coach. His record reflects one win in as many games, so much of what he's doing is for the first time.

But he's no rookie who needs to be schooled on the recent history of the Wolf Pack's basketball rivalry with UNLV, because Carter has spent a decade in the middle of it. He was an assistant coach in all those games, though.

Carter has moved over a seat on the UNR bench, and now he has the power to call all the shots. He calls it as he sees it, too.

The Rebels (1-0) will host the Wolf Pack (1-0) at 7:30 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center, and Carter is not downplaying the game as just another on the schedule.

"This is a big game for us," he said. "The UNLV program has done so well, playing in the NCAA Tournament and going to the Sweet 16 recently, so our guys will be motivated. The guys get up for it.

"It's a resume game. At the end of the year, when the NCAA looks at it, it's who did you play and who did you beat? This is one of those games. We always respect their program. The last few games have been pretty close."

UNLV has won the past three in the series, including a 64-57 victory last December in Reno, running coach Lon Kruger's record to 3-2 against UNR.

Only two of the 10 players in the starting lineups are from Nevada, but they will be two of the best players on the floor and they both star for the Wolf Pack -- 6-foot-9-inch sophomore forward Luke Babbitt and 6-3 junior point guard Armon Johnson.

Babbitt, from Galena High School in Reno, was recruited by Kruger. Babbitt gave an oral commitment to Ohio State before changing his mind and signing with former UNR coach Mark Fox.

"We didn't think we would get him," Carter said. "But Luke called Coach Fox and said he wanted to stay close to home, and obviously we weren't going to say no."

Fox left UNR after five years to accept the Georgia job on April 2. Carter was promoted the next day, and the program is solid with Babbitt as the foundation. Babbitt, the Western Athletic Conference's preseason Player of the Year, scored 26 points Saturday in the Wolf Pack's 75-61 victory over Montana State.

"I do feel good because we have Armon Johnson and Luke Babbitt, and we're going to rely on those guys to carry the load for us for the most part," Carter said.

Johnson scored 16 points in the season opener, but Carter benched him with about seven minutes remaining for showing "disrespect" to the game. Johnson was dribbling for an uncontested layup but threw the ball high off the backboard and missed a dunk attempt.

Carter made a statement that he won't tolerate showboating.

Johnson scored 21 points and Babbitt 15 in UNR's loss to UNLV last year. Kruger had freshmen Carlos Lopez and Anthony Marshall playing the roles of Babbitt and Johnson in practice.

"They are two really good players surrounded by other good players," Kruger said. "So you've got to give Babbitt and Johnson extra attention because they're that good, but not so much that it allows those other guys to be even better."

Senior guard Brandon Fields and forwards Dario Hunt and Joey Shaw round out the Wolf Pack lineup. But Carter said UNR lacks depth.

"We're trying to extend our defense, speed teams up and force more turnovers," Carter said. "Offensively, we want to play more up-tempo, and we have some good shooters.

"UNLV has so much quickness on the perimeter. They have guards who really defend, and that's obviously a concern for us."

Carter took his team on an exhibition tour of France, Italy and Spain in May, and it smoothed his transition from assistant to head coach.

"I thought the trip actually benefited me more than the kids because I'm a new coach, a new voice," he said. "It's a big difference. The relationships are different because you are delegating the playing time now and not suggesting it.

"I had two very good teachers in Trent Johnson and Mark Fox, and I watched them. I'm prepared, very excited and very fortunate to have this job."

• NOTES -- As a freshman last year, Oscar Bellfield made five 3-pointers and scored a career-high 17 points in UNLV's win at Reno. ... The Rebels have a 51-19 series lead against the Wolf Pack.

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