Transition doesn’t faze Bellfield

At least one person is unimpressed that Oscar Bellfield is UNLV's starting point guard as a freshman.

And that person is Bellfield, who said it's no big deal to him to be running the Rebels this early in his career.

It's a rare achievement that surely means something to him. But as far as feeling intimidated or overwhelmed, he said those thoughts no longer exist. If they did, he said, they were gone in one game.

"I actually anticipated a lot of pressure," Bellfield said. "I haven't felt the pressure. I'm adjusted to it."

By this time next week, he might feel like a veteran.

UNLV begins a stretch of four games in seven days by hosting Texas-Pan American at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Rebels (1-0) and Broncs (1-0) meet in the first round of the eight-team Global Sports Classic that includes California, Cincinnati, Florida State, Coastal Carolina, North Carolina A&T and Western Illinois.

The first and second rounds will be played at home sites, while the third and final rounds will be hosted by UNLV on Nov. 28 and 29.

Pan American opened with an 84-59 victory over Sul Ross State on Saturday. Senior forward Emmanuel Jones scored 27 points and Nathan "The Ice Chip" Hawkins, nephew of former NBA star George "The Iceman" Gervin, added 17.

In his college debut Saturday, Bellfield had 13 points, six assists and three steals to help the Rebels hold off San Diego, 65-60.

UNLV's Lon Kruger, who began his head coaching career at Pan American from 1982 to 1986, said he can't recall starting a freshman point guard in his first game before Bellfield.

Rebels assistant coach Steve Henson was a four-year starter at the point for Kansas State under Kruger from 1986 to 1990, but Henson did not start every game.

"It's hard to remember any others," Kruger said. "But I've never worried too much about age. If a guy plays and earns a spot, age has never been a factor."

The 6-foot-2-inch Bellfield, from Westchester High School in Los Angeles, won the job during the preseason over sophomore Tre'Von Willis, a transfer from Memphis.

"Both of our guys know that whoever gets the results plays," Kruger said. "The idea is to get them both playing as well as we possibly can and they share that role. Oscar played with a lot more aggression and more confidence Saturday. He played like he's been practicing. Tre did a terrific job defensively.

"Oscar has played against a high level of competition throughout his high school career, and I think that helps him maybe be a little more accustomed to the level of competition."

Senior guard Wink Adams credited Bellfield for playing like a senior in Saturday's game. Adams said his first college game against Long Beach State in 2005 was memorable for other reasons.

"I was definitely nervous," Adams said. "I had six turnovers and eight points. My first shot was a 3-pointer and it hit off the backboard. I got dunked on. I'll never forget it."

Bellfield shot 3-for-6 from 3-point range against San Diego. His most impressive move came when he darted through traffic for a dunk to put the Rebels up 55-49 with 6:07 remaining.

Adams never has dunked in a college game, but Bellfield plans to change that.

"Wink is going to get his this year, too," he said. "He's going to get a couple of them because I'm going to throw him a couple lobs."

Being the starter is one thing, Bellfield said, and keeping the job is more important.

"In order to keep that spot, I've got to limit the mistakes and play hard," Bellfield said. "Whoever starts really doesn't matter. We're competing with each other and just trying to win.

"I need to be a playmaker. I'm working hard in practice and learning from the veterans. We're all working together and building chemistry."

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