Seniors’ lack of consistency hurting Rebels

RENO -- Criticizing players in a public forum is never on Lon Kruger's agenda. The UNLV coach usually prefers encouragement.

In private settings such as meetings and practices, however, Kruger is more demanding. What he's not heard saying now is obvious -- the Rebels need a lot more than they are getting from their three senior leaders.

Wink Adams, Joe Darger and Rene Rougeau all have played well in spurts. But all three are performing below most expectations set for the veterans, and none is showing consistency.

Junior forward Darris Santee and sophomore guard Tre'Von Willis carried UNLV to its 82-76 victory at Fresno State on Wednesday night.

"When you go on the road and win, a lot of different guys have to do it," Kruger said.

Despite a relatively soft schedule, every win has been hard earned for the Rebels (6-2).

Kruger has reasons to be pleased, but he also has a long list of concerns -- including poor team defense and weak rebounding -- heading into Saturday's game against UNR (3-3).

One concern among fans in Las Vegas is why the 7:30 p.m. game is not being televised. UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick has heard the complaints, but he is powerless to solve the problem.

The Mountain West Conference's TV network, The Mtn., owns the rights to the Rebels' games. For games not broadcast on The Mtn., ISP owns UNLV's rights. Hamrick said UNLV requested permission from UNR to televise Saturday's game in Las Vegas, but the request was denied, as Hamrick said he expected.

When the teams met last year in Las Vegas, The Mtn. carried the game and the MWC denied UNR's request to televise it in Reno. Similar scenarios played out for football games between the schools.

"UNLV did not deny Reno the chance to do last year's game," Hamrick said. "When Reno asked to bring it back, our conference said no. It's not a UNLV-Reno thing.

"There are no hard feelings at all. It's just simply a business deal."

The Rebels have won two in a row against the Wolf Pack, and if they see the streak hit three, it probably will be because Adams, Darger and Rougeau play better.

Adams has shot 10-for-40 in the past three games, and he's 1-for-16 on 3-pointers in the past four games.

Darger had impressive games against North Carolina A&T and Cincinnati, but he's 9-for-34 from 3-point range in the other six games. He's gone to the free-throw line only six times all season.

Rougeau's numbers are solid, but he's defending quicker guards this season and getting beat more frequently.

Willis and Santee stepped up at an opportune time Wednesday. Willis, the starter at point guard the past five games, has scored 18 points in back-to-back outings.

"Tre is a big-time competitor," Kruger said. "As he gets more comfortable in his role, I think we'll see more and more of that."

After the Fresno State game, Willis said UNLV must develop more toughness. Santee, who scored 21 points and added a desperately needed inside presence, said the players lacked a sense of urgency.

"Darris is a big factor to this team," Adams said. "We know what he can do, we tried to get him the ball as much as we can, and he delivered."

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