Rougeau stands tall by doing small things

Rene Rougeau lists his greatest athletic thrill as a tip dunk in the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament last season. One play. Over in a blink. About as memorable for anyone else as last Sunday's coupons.

"It wasn't my first dunk," Rougeau said, "but my first actual dunk. You know what I mean?"

I have no idea what that means.

"I had dunks before," he said, "but not a monster dunk like that one."

Oh. The monster kind.

It makes sense now.

Unproven and limited teams rely on little things to succeed. A hard foul. A blocked shot. An offensive rebound. A steal for a monster or just run-of-the-mill dunk. They are often produced by more unfamiliar players than leading ones. Players like Rougeau.

The junior guard's stat line from UNLV's 79-67 victory over UNR on Saturday night won't cause you to pause with amazement, nor was his overall performance likely singled out by most of the 13,068 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.

But hidden within four points, three rebounds, three steals, a block and an assist in 18 minutes are the types of plays UNLV doesn't hope to produce this season, but instead must create to win.

If you take snapshots from what was an impressive bounce-back victory following a 20-point loss to Louisville on Wednesday, consider just three involving Rougeau when realizing how the Rebels will earn wins this year.

No. 1: Size and toughness are two vastly different traits in sports. The Rebels don't have much of the former but absolutely must exhibit the latter to have any chance most nights.

It was early in a 13-11 game when the Wolf Pack charged down court on a three-on-one. Malik Cooke took a pass on the right side and drove hard, likely expecting to see an open lane and unprotected rim.

Instead, he saw a view of the arena ceiling. Flat on his back.

The 6-foot-6-inch Rougeau elevated over Cooke and sent the UNR player crashing to the floor. An intentional foul was assessed. It probably wasn't one -- Rougeau got more ball than body -- but the action was far more significant than the result.

UNLV isn't good enough and certainly not big enough to ever resemble a soft bunch. It's critical to send such messages. To never let down. To put someone on their backside just for the mere point that is implied from it.

"You don't want to play dirty or ever try and hurt anyone, but you have to let them know it's not going to be easy," Rougeau said. "We knew they were going to come in and try and pop us, so we needed to get that first hit of contact in."

Every player should have such an attitude. Hard fouls like that are often as important as any big shot.

No. 2: This is when hustling is rewarded.

UNR led 25-22 with less than four minutes remaining in the first half when it began another break. Sprinting the length of the court, Rougeau blocked a Brandon Fields shot clear into the courtside seats. UNR then turned the ball over.

"Every day in practice, (Rougeau) has that same attitude," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said. "He just loves to play. His approach to the game is spectacular. He plays for all the right reasons and plays the way it's supposed to be played.

"It brings a smile to your face when you think about all he has done to get where he is and to be a big contributor on this basketball team."

No. 3: Bench players expected to contribute most on defense usually must generate their own offensive chances.

Like this: UNLV led 56-50 with 10:10 left when Rougeau anticipated a pass out top, stepped into a lane, stole the ball and raced down court for a (non-monster) dunk.

Five players scored in double figures for UNLV. Rougeau wasn't one. Five players logged 25 or more minutes and three 30 or more. Rougeau wasn't one.

In the big picture of a second straight win against UNR, he probably would be standing off to the side while others remained in clear focus.

It's just reality for a kid whose career averages before this season were an anonymous 6.5 minutes and 1.7 points.

"Taking charges, help side defense, get a steal, setting picks to get open shots for people, make a play for someone else -- setting traps, flying all over the court," Rougeau said.

"Basically, I'm just one of those guys doing all the little things."

Basically, things that win.

Ed Graney's column is published Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. He can be reached at 383-4618 or egraney@reviewjournal.com.