Rebels trail at halftime
Another game, another 10-point deficit for UNLV.
It seems like UNLV falls behind by double-digits in the first half of just about every game in conference play and it happened yet again against San Diego State on Tuesday night.
UNLV trailed 24-14 with five minutes to play in the opening half, but got within two at the half as Joe Darger hit a 3-pointer with about 20 seconds left to make the score 30-28.
Darger and Wink Adams each have six points
Kyle Spain, D.J. Gay and Lorrenzo Wade all have seven points to lead the Aztecs.
The Rebels have been unable to get much going offensively, making just 7 of 25 shots thus far. UNLV did force nine turnovers, enabling it to stay close.
ACCURATE INJURY REPORTS?
San Diego State coach Steve Fisher listed Richie Williams as doubtful for tonight’s game and the lightning-fast guard, who is just two steals from the Mountain West Conference record, was not in the starting lineup because of a knee injury he suffered on Saturday at Colorado State.
He did enter the game very early, however, and made his presence felt immediately by draining a 3-pointer just 15 seconds after taking the floor.
Forward Ryan Amoroso also was listed as doubtful by Fisher.
Amoroso was in the game just minutes after Williams.
Why even say anything when asked about injuries to players. There is no requirement to provide injury reports in college basketball.
If you’re going to lie, just say no comment and move on.
According to Fisher, freshman Tim Shelton did not make the trip to Las Vegas because of a knee injury and will not play.
Why would I not be surprised to see him take the floor to start the second half?
GOOD DEFENSE UNREWARDED
UNLV made a couple of very nice defensive plays in the opening minutes, though only one of them counted.
Tre’Von Willis denied San Diego State point guard D.J. Gay the ball and forced a 5-second violation in the very early going.
Moments later, the Rebels forced a 35-second shot clock violation that was noticed by everyone but the three officials working the game.
Mehdi Cheriet drove to the basket and put up a shot well after the buzzer sounded. The officials, however, let the play go and counted the bucket.
It started a very quick 7-0 run that gave the Aztecs a 12-4 lead.
Late in the half, Cheriet again found himself with the ball as the shot clock ticked down, but this time the referee’s decided to call the violation.
IS THAT THE SAME GUY?
Steve Fisher has done a decent job with the Aztecs program but has never really had the success that was expected when he made the move out West.
It’s difficult to believe this is the same guy that took over just before the NCAA Tournament and led Michigan to a national title.
He also recruited the Fab Five and took that team to the championship game, though he did fail to save a timeout, setting up Chris Webber’s famous blunder.
