Rebels’ non-MWC schedule reflects squad’s senior savvy

Each year, UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger tries to tailor the nonconference schedule to fit his team, usually making minor adjustments based on the experienced players he has returning.

The Rebels have four seniors returning for the 2008-09 season, and the 14-game nonconference schedule released Monday is loaded with major challenges.

Kruger, entering his fifth year at UNLV, said it might be the most difficult schedule he has put together yet.

"I think it's probably as tough as we've had, given the number of road games along with the quality of opponents," he said. "It's a really good schedule. It should be exciting."

The Rebels open the regular season Nov. 15 by hosting San Diego in one of nine nonconference games at the Thomas & Mack Center.

UNLV also plays high-profile home games against California (Nov. 28), Cincinnati or Florida State (Nov. 29) and Arizona (Dec. 20).

Over the past two seasons, the Rebels are 57-15 with three NCAA Tournament wins. They finished 27-8 last season, losing to eventual national champion Kansas in the second round.

Wink Adams, Joe Darger and Rene Rougeau will be returning senior starters, with Mareceo Rutledge the fourth senior on the roster.

"This team will have great senior leadership, and you obviously need that when you go on the road," Kruger said.

UNLV has road games against Texas-El Paso (Nov. 24), Fresno State (Dec. 3), UNR (Dec. 6) and Louisville (Dec. 31).

The Rebels' toughest test should be the New Year's Eve date at Louisville. The Cardinals, who reached the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight, beat UNLV 68-48 last season at the Thomas & Mack.

San Diego, which won the West Coast Conference Tournament, upset Connecticut to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Arizona, another NCAA Tournament participant, will have coach Lute Olson on the bench after a one-year absence. The Wildcats have won the first two games in a four-year series with the Rebels.

UNLV plays Texas-Pan American on Nov. 18 as part of an eight-team tournament the Rebels are hosting. The tournament, to be run by Global Sports Management and to be named later, replaces the Duel in the Desert tournament.

The new tournament also features California, Cincinnati, Florida State, Coastal Carolina, North Carolina A&T and Western Illinois. The first two rounds will be played on different campus sites, and the final two rounds will be staged at the Thomas & Mack on Nov. 28-29 with four games each day.

The Rebels play Western Michigan, which won the Mid-American Conference's West Division, at the Orleans Arena on Dec. 14.

UNLV's exhibition game is against Division II Washburn on Nov. 11, when the Rebels' Final Four teams from 1977, 1987 and 1991 will be honored.

The Mountain West Conference schedule is expected to be released in early August.

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