Rebels host get-acquainted session

Little or no buzz accompanied coach Lon Kruger's first basketball practice at UNLV in October 2004. He was excited, but few others shared that enthusiasm.

A bigger -- and wilder -- crowd gathered at the campus library.

"Certainly, it has changed," Kruger said, "and we want to continue making the program grow every year."

The Rebels raise the curtain on the 2008-09 season today, and Kruger is hoping for an impressive turnout for a "FirstLook" practice that is open to the public at 9 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The event also will feature the band, cheerleaders and ESPN personality Kenny Mayne, a former UNLV quarterback, serving as host via video screen. Doors open at 8:15 p.m., and practice will end at approximately 10:15.

Kruger said he wants fans to treat the event almost like a game and fill a majority of the arena's 8,000 seats in the lower bowl.

"I think the interest is such that we'll have a really good crowd," he said.

The Rebels are favored to win the Mountain West Conference and ranked in numerous preseason top 25 polls. They return three starters -- seniors Wink Adams, Joe Darger and Rene Rougeau -- from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

But the opening practice will be a get-acquainted session for several players. Ten players on the 18-man roster have yet to suit up for a game at UNLV.

Sophomore point guard Tre'Von Willis, a transfer from Memphis, and redshirt freshman center Beas Hamga practiced with the team while sitting out last season. Both are expected to fill major roles.

"It's going to be the fans' first chance to see us," said Willis, picked by the media as the MWC's top newcomer. "I'm just happy to get out there in front of the fans. It's going to be a great event.

"This is a brand new team. We've probably got more expectations, even though Coach Kruger helps remind us that this team hasn't done anything yet."

The incoming recruiting class consists of freshmen Oscar Bellfield, Brice Massamba and DeShawn Mitchell and junior college transfer Darris Santee.

Derrick Jasper, a transfer from Kentucky, and Chace Stanback, a UCLA transfer, can practice this season but must sit out as redshirts. The two new walk-ons are sophomore Todd Hanni from Danville, Ind., and senior Steve Jones, a transfer from Arizona State.

"We've got a lot of new guys, and it's an opportunity to get them a little bit of experience on the floor in front of people," Kruger said.

The Rebels went 17-14 and 17-13 in Kruger's first two seasons. The program's resurgence started in 2006-07, when Adams, Darger and Rougeau were sophomores and UNLV finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16.

"When you think about Wink, Joe and Rene, since they came in four years ago, it has changed a lot, and they have had a lot to do with that," Kruger said.

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