Gordon on the rise, even as Lobos slide

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Four days after its latest disappointing loss, New Mexico's season is on the brink of being a lost cause. But Drew Gordon has not been the problem.

Gordon, a 6-foot-9-inch power forward, transferred from UCLA in December 2009 as rumors of a bad attitude shadowed him. He visited UNLV, San Diego State and Notre Dame before choosing to play for the Lobos.

The Rebels' coaches declined to offer Gordon a scholarship. He now says he has "no doubts" he landed in the right spot.

"He's been a bright spot," said New Mexico coach Steve Alford, who is not praising many players after a three-game losing streak has mired the Lobos (17-10, 5-7) in sixth place in the Mountain West Conference.

UNLV (20-7, 8-5) will run into an angry New Mexico team at 6 p.m. today at The Pit.

Despite the Lobos' slide, Gordon has been playing as well as any big man in the conference. He had 17 points and a league-record 23 rebounds in a loss to Utah on Saturday.

"As great as all that is, I really feel like I lost the game," said Gordon, who drew criticism from Alford for his pick-and-roll defense.

The Utes pulled off a stunning 62-60 upset when Chris Hines banked in a 28-footer at the buzzer. The Lobos fell to 2-7 in games decided by six points or fewer.

"We've had our share of tough breaks," Alford said. "There's nothing to be happy about in a situation like this.

"Our guys are working hard. I love the effort. If you have a big win or a bad loss, you've got to get on to the next game. It's hard for coaches and players, but you have to be able to move on. We have to get ready for an outstanding UNLV team."

The Rebels dealt New Mexico a 63-62 loss in an error-filled game Jan. 22. New Mexico freshman Kendall Williams missed a free throw to force overtime with 1.1 seconds remaining.

"We were very fortunate to get away with that one," UNLV junior forward Chace Stanback said.

Stanback led the Rebels' effort with 20 points and nine rebounds in that meeting. Gordon finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds. It was not the first time the two stars crossed paths.

Also a UCLA transfer, Stanback played against Gordon in high school in California, and he hosted Gordon during his visit to UNLV. Transfers sometimes get unfairly labeled, Stanback said, and maybe that was the case with Gordon.

"I don't think he's a bad teammate or would be a bad teammate," Stanback said. "I haven't seen anything of that sort. He's always a pretty happy guy.

"You can't worry about what people say about you. I've experienced that myself. Random people were coming up and saying they heard I didn't get along with the (UCLA) coaches."

Gordon is averaging 12.6 points and 10.1 rebounds in 18 games since becoming eligible as a junior at New Mexico's semester break.

"Drew has done a tremendous job of not making rebounding an issue for our team," Alford said. "He's been very good for us inside offensively as well as what he's doing on the backboards."

But the Lobos' habit of losing close games has probably left them in a position of needing to win the MWC tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament, one year after rolling in as a No. 3 seed.

"Something's not quite clicking between us players," Gordon said. "Something's not there that we need to gather and bring together for these last four games before the tournament. It's been a rough road."

The Rebels are off their most important road victory of the season, 68-62 over Colorado State on Saturday. It moved UNLV closer to an NCAA bid, a theory coach Lon Kruger wants his players to ignore.

"If you get to the point where you think you're OK and approach it differently, that would be a mistake," Kruger said. "Both teams will approach it as a huge game."

■ NOTES -- Kruger said senior guard Tre'Von Willis, who exited Saturday's game with a sore left knee, was "pretty limited" in Tuesday's practice but is expected to start today. ... The Rebels are 2-2 in their past four trips to The Pit, including a 74-62 win last year.

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