Rebels struggle vs. ASU

In a lot of ways, UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger walked away pleased after Saturday's closed-door scrimmage against Arizona State.

Kruger called it a "very positive" experience that ensured overconfidence will not be one of his team's problems. There were no injuries, either.

"A lot of guys probably had their eyes opened," he said. "We've got a long way to go and a lot of work to do."

The Rebels were on the short end of the scrimmage against the Sun Devils at Tempe, Ariz., but Kruger said the score did not matter to him.

The teams played two 20-minute halves -- UNLV led by two points after the first half, and Arizona State led the second half by 10. Another 20-minute period was played by mostly reserves.

Kruger said seniors Wink Adams and Joe Darger excelled for the Rebels.

Sun Devils coach Herb Sendek had his team in a zone defense for most of the scrimmage, something that surprised the Rebels, who have been playing man-to-man in practices.

"It was good that we got a chance to work against a zone. We got to work a lot on our zone offense," Kruger said.

The Sun Devils are ranked 15th in both the Associated Press poll and the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll.

The scrimmage replaced one of two allowable exhibition games for UNLV.

• LEGENDS RETURN -- The Rebels' only exhibition game is against Washburn, a Division II school from Topeka, Kan., at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Alumni/Legends Game will be played at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Legends & Friends Classic golf tournament will be Monday at Dragon Ridge Country Club at MacDonald Highlands.

Greg Anthony, Freddie Banks, Sidney Green and Anderson Hunt are among former Rebels committed to attending the two days of activities.

A "FOURever Runnin' Rebels" celebration to honor the 1977, 1987 and 1991 Final Four teams will be Tuesday.

• DRAFTED AND SIGNED -- Curtis Terry, the Rebels' point guard last season, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League on Friday.

Kevin Kruger, UNLV's point guard for the 2006-07 season, signed with a professional team in Bulgaria and left Saturday for Europe.

As a rookie last season, Kruger played for the Utah Flash in the NBA D-League, and he earned about $18,000. He said he signed for $105,000 before bonuses for a six-month season in Bulgaria.

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