Rebels get off to glamorous start

Thirty-nine minutes after the scheduled start of UNLV's opening basketball practice Friday night, senior guard Wink Adams jogged across a red carpet and led the team onto the floor.

An estimated crowd of 4,000 greeted the Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center for a "FirstLook" event not short on hype.

An extended pep rally preceded the practice. There was a video presentation, cheerleaders were introduced, the band played, coach Lon Kruger gave a speech, football coach Mike Sanford gave a speech and, finally, the players were introduced and awarded rings for winning last season's Mountain West Conference Tournament.

The scrimmage that followed the show was brief, but the season should be worth the wait.

"We're just happy to get this thing started," senior forward Rene Rougeau said. "The season is right around the corner. This is definitely the most athletic team we've had since I've been here."

Kruger's fifth season at UNLV might be the most anticipated one for the program since the early 1990s.

The Rebels, 57-15 with three NCAA Tournament wins over the past two years, return an experienced team headlined by Adams.

The 18-man roster, which includes four players who will sit out the season, appears to be Kruger's deepest and most talented.

"I think it's the most healthy competition in practice that we've probably had, and the quality of the competition will be really good, too," Kruger said.

"We like this group and we like their attitude about the work they do. I think this group will challenge each other in a good way."

UNLV unveiled its incoming recruiting class of freshmen Oscar Bellfield, Brice Massamba, DeShawn Mitchell and junior college transfer Darris Santee. Mitchell highlighted a layup drill with a windmill dunk.

"DeShawn might have the most hops on the team," Rougeau said.

The leading scorer in the scrimmage was Rougeau with 12 points. He helped the red team defeat the white team, 37-28.

The starting lineup for the red team consisted of Adams, Rougeau, Santee, senior forward Joe Darger and sophomore point guard Tre'Von Willis.

Chace Stanback, a transfer from UCLA, came off the bench to score 10 points. Adams scored just two points, on free throws.

The white team's starting lineup was Bellfield, Mitchell, senior guard Mareceo Rutledge, sophomore guard Kendall Wallace and freshman center Beas Hamga. Bellfield had 10 points and Rutledge scored six.

The Rebels, who practice again today and Sunday, host Washburn in UNLV's only exhibition game on Nov. 11.

UNLV's season opener is against San Diego on Nov. 15.

"I think every practice will be a good one for us," Rougeau said. "Without a doubt, everyone on this team can do good things. It's definitely a dangerous team.

"Everyone is just working hard, even the new guys. They want the same thing we got last year and even more."

• NOTES -- Sidney Green, who played from 1979 to 1983 and is the Rebels' No. 2 all-time leading scorer, was a presenter for the ring ceremony. ... UNLV hosted several recruits Friday, including the three who orally committed for 2009 -- Mojave High's Anthony Marshall, Carlos Lopez of Findlay Prep in Henderson and Justin Hawkins from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft High.

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