Rebels head to Reno with chip on shoulder

RENO — All it took was one game for UNLV freshman Rashad Vaughn to develop an appreciation for the rivalry with UNR. It was a loss that got his attention.

“We’re going to be excited to play them with a chip on our shoulder,” he said.

For two teams dwelling near the Mountain West cellar, there is not much at stake but bragging rights.

Losers of three in a row in the series, the Rebels (11-9, 2-5) get another shot at the Wolf Pack (6-12, 2-4) at 7 p.m. today at Lawlor Events Center. Due to a lack of interest, the game will be shown on ESPN3.com instead of ESPNU.

When the teams met Jan. 7 in Las Vegas, UNLV’s players showed a lack of enthusiasm for a majority of the game and learned a lesson. UNR escaped with a 64-62 win on Marqueze Coleman’s 18-foot jumper with 4.8 seconds remaining.

It was the start of the Rebels’ downhill slide in conference play.

“They beat us, so it’s important to go up there and get them back,” said Vaughn, who scored 20 points in the loss. “We really want them.”

Vaughn is coming off a career-high 31-point performance Saturday in UNLV’s 79-77 overtime victory over Utah State.

“We didn’t play very well and still found a way to win,” said senior point guard Cody Doolin, who hit the winning free throws. “It was a big confidence boost for us to win that one.”

At this point, the Rebels are playing to string some wins together and improve their seeding in the conference tournament in March. But the thought of dropping four straight in a rivalry UNLV previously owned is what is getting coach Dave Rice’s attention.

“It’s a very, very big basketball game,” Rice said. “We have to play with a tremendous sense of urgency. This is a huge game for us.”

AJ West, the Wolf Pack’s 6-foot-9-inch senior forward, looms as a potentially huge roadblock for the Rebels. West totaled 15 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks in the first meeting. His hard work and strength in the low post led to 10 offensive rebounds.

In six league games, West has 50 offensive rebounds, and he’s a matchup problem for a UNLV team that continues to display weak defensive rebounding.

“It’s phenomenal the job West is doing rebounding the basketball, and it’s not just against us,” Rice said. “It’s a unique challenge because of how aggressive he is on the boards.

“He absolutely will be at the top of our scouting report. He will draw a lot of attention from us.”

In Monday’s practice, junior forward Ben Carter played the role of West. Carter is the Rebels’ toughest rebounder, but the Oregon transfer is redshirting and unable to come to the rescue this season.

Goodluck Okonoboh might be up to the task of handling West. The 6-10 freshman forward practiced Monday and is probable to play despite a foot injury. Okonoboh, who has a painful case of plantar fasciitis, was mostly ineffective in 20 minutes Saturday.

“We’re hopeful he’ll be able to go and give us quality minutes,” Rice said.

UNR coach David Carter used a zone defense that limited UNLV to 34 percent shooting in the game three weeks ago.

Vaughn, Patrick McCaw and Jordan Cornish have been the Rebels’ top 3-point shooters. Cornish, a freshman reserve, hit two 3s against Utah State and is earning more playing time.

“Jordan just makes things happen. I like guys who create and force action, and that’s what he does,” Rice said. “I think we’ll continue to see a lot of zone, and he’s shooting the ball extremely well.”

Doolin echoed Vaughn’s words on the importance of the game to UNLV, which is a 5-point favorite and still in search of its first true road win of the season.

“Anytime you lose at home, it hurts more,” Doolin said. “Obviously, this game means a lot to both teams, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.