Shooting slump won’t faze Darger

Even when shot after shot is off target, Darger never gets discouraged.

“I always feel like my next shot is going to go in,” he said.

Lately, Darger has been trying to shoot a basketball through what seems to be a soup can-sized rim. But no slump is too concerning to him.

“Every year, I’ve had little shooting slumps here and there,” he said. “Everyone has shooting slumps, and you’ve just got to shoot your way out of it.”

Darger’s next shot comes when the Rebels (7-2) play Western Michigan (2-7) at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Orleans Arena.

The 6-foot-7-inch forward shot 1-for-7 in each of UNLV’s past two games, road victories over Fresno State and UNR. He made 1 of 10 3-pointers.

Darger ranks seventh on the Rebels’ career list with 150 3-pointers, but he has taken a step back in terms of production one month into his senior season.

His 3-point shooting percentage (36.2) is the lowest since his freshman year, and his scoring average (8.7 points per game) is down from last season (11.3).

Out of necessity, Darger spent a lot of time at the center position last season. He’s strictly a perimeter presence now, with 58 of his 71 field-goal attempts coming from 3-point range.

“He’s guarded not as often by the 5-man, which makes a difference,” coach Lon Kruger said. “Last year, he had a little more time and a little more open space because he’s got a bigger guy guarding him.”

In UNLV’s offense, Darger’s main role is to pick, pop out and shoot. When the guards penetrate and the defense collapses, Darger steps out.

Because of that, Kruger said, “Joe’s opportunities will come from outside the (3-point) line for the most part.”

That is exhibited by the fact Darger has attempted only seven free throws in nine games. He shot 100 in 35 games last season.

Darger said his role in the Rebels’ offense “will continue to be a lot of 3s,” with the difference being he expects to make more of them.

“Guys are guarding me close, and sometimes I may be rushing my shot a little bit,” he said. “I need to take my time on my shot and just keep shooting it. I’m confident they will start falling.”

Senior guard Wink Adams also is in a shooting slump. Adams has shot 12-for-48 in the past four games and 1-for-19 from 3-point range in the past five games.

“Wink and Joe have been shooting it really well in practice, so I think it’s just a matter of making a few in a game and breaking out of it,” Kruger said. “We know they will because they’ve done it before.”

With four games in 10 days beginning Sunday, Darger said he senses the Rebels are about to get rolling. He’s always optimistic, after all.

“We started to get a little rhythm in our offense,” he said. “It kind of takes a little time for guys to get used to each other. I think we’re starting to figure it out.”

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