Rebels coach Todd Simon not looking past this week
UNLV’s basketball season could end at any point beginning Wednesday, and that also could mean the end in other ways.
The Rebels are in the market for a new coach, though interim Todd Simon and assistant Stacey Augmon could get a look. Augmon already has made his interest known in interviews with the Review-Journal and The New York Times.
Simon was asked about his thoughts on Monday.
“I have an agent, and he does his job and I do my job and remain professional,” Simon said. “It would be a disservice of me to campaign or look elsewhere or do any of those type of things because I think it would be a disservice to these kids.”
Two players were made available to the media, and both could soon play their final UNLV game.
Freshman Stephen Zimmerman Jr. is expected to be a first-round pick in this June’s NBA Draft if he turns pro as many expect.
“I think it’s something I’ll need to sit down and talk to my family about,” Zimmerman said.
The other player to meet with the media, sophomore Patrick McCaw, said he hasn’t given much thought regarding what he will do after this season.
“Now I’m just focused on winning the Mountain West tournament,” he said.
■ INJURY UPDATES — Simon said Jerome Seagears (right heel) and Dwayne Morgan (right shoulder) were day to day, but McCaw said he expected Morgan back by Wednesday’s first-round Mountain West tournament game against Air Force at the Thomas & Mack Center, which is at 1:30 p.m.
“To get Jerome back and Dwayne back is going to help us on both ends of the floor,” McCaw said.
Morgan has been out since Feb. 20, and Seagears has been battling an assortment of injuries. If players start returning, that will be a big lift to a team that needs to win four games in four days.
“Psychologically, you know there’s going to be some kind of rotation,” Simon said. “It allows you to play a little bit harder. Having even that sixth guy is a tremendous difference.”
■ COACHING UPDATE — Frank Martin, who has been linked to UNLV’s opening, is in discussions with South Carolina for a four-year extension, according to The State newspaper. The contract would go through 2022.
■ ARIZONA BOUND — Rawle Alkins, a top-20 guard from New York, committed to Arizona on Monday night on ESPNU. UNLV was on his list of five finalists.
A source with inside knowledge of UNLV recruiting said the uncertain coaching situation cost the Rebels legitimate shots at Alkins and Kobi Simmons, another top-20 recruit who committed to Arizona.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65