Ex-UNLV walk-ons running strong

A friendship formed in the summer of 2004 has turned out different than either Rene Rougeau or Curtis Terry ever expected.

At the time, the two realized they had a lot in common. Almost four years later, their connection remains unique, and their bond is tighter.

"Since we came in together, this is what we've dreamed about," Rougeau said.

In reality, it's a lot more than that.

"It's something that if you tell someone, nobody's going to believe it," Terry said.

Rougeau, a redshirt junior from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Terry, a senior from Tacoma, Wash., entered the UNLV basketball program as walk-ons. After high school, they had a combined zero scholarship offers.

What they did get was an invitation to prove they could play, courtesy of Rebels coach Lon Kruger.

The irony of that was on display again Tuesday, when Terry and Rougeau led UNLV to a 70-41 victory over Brigham Young at the Thomas & Mack Center. Two former walk-ons were the best players on the floor.

"We joke about it all the time," said Rougeau, who finished the game with 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots. "Who would have thought two walk-ons would be starting and trying to lead the team?"

Rougeau's all-out hustle set the tone on defense and Terry made five 3-pointers and scored a game-high 21 points in the blowout of the Cougars, the preseason favorites to win the Mountain West Conference.

"Coach gave us the opportunity just to be on the team, and we were grateful for that," Terry said. "From there, we've just been working hard and we both have done everything Coach has asked and more.

"For me, not having any scholarship offers, it meant the world to me to have that opportunity."

The Rebels, 13-4 and 2-1 in the Mountain West, are off until hosting Wyoming on Wednesday. The domination of BYU -- three days after UNLV was whipped in a 12-point loss at Air Force -- reaffirmed Kruger's faith in his team's potential.

"It wasn't just a bounce-back effort," Kruger said. "For 40 minutes, it was a great, focused effort. It was really good."

It also was enough to convince Rougeau that a conference title and return trip to the NCAA Tournament are within reach.

"We feel like we're just as good as last year, if not better," he said.

Rougeau and Terry were reserves last season, when the Rebels followed five seniors to a 30-7 record and a Sweet 16 appearance.

Rougeau, who played in 25 games and averaged 1.5 points as a sophomore, is averaging 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as a junior. In the ninth game of this season, Rougeau made his starting debut, and the 6-foot-6-inch guard suddenly seems irreplaceable.

He was on scholarship for two semesters before this season but is not on scholarship now.

"I would rather it be like this," Rougeau said. "I'm thankful just to be able to play and be able to start.

"As a walk-on, at first you just want to make the team. After that, you want to get playing time and contribute. Without a doubt, I definitely have a lot more to prove."

Awarded a scholarship before his sophomore year, Terry has played in all 115 games during his career. The 6-5 point guard has started every game this season and is second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game.

Terry remembers the summer of 2004, when he and Rougeau played in pickup games that included former UNLV stars Lou Amundson and Marcus Banks.

"Rene didn't back down. He flew around the court and hustled," Terry said. "That's what Rene has done since he first got here, and now he can step out and shoot the ball and he drives effectively.

"We always had the bond that we were walk-ons who came in together. Things have evolved, and I'm grateful for that."

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