UNLV’s schedule gets busy quickly

On an off day for his players, UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger reported to work as usual Sunday. He was not exhausted after a sleepless night spent worrying about his team.

Kruger's concerns are nothing unusual. What he saw on film was confirmation that the Rebels have some minor flaws that can be fixed.

UNLV struggled to defeat San Diego 65-60 in Saturday's season opener. Considering the Toreros were missing three starters, the result was closer than anticipated.

"I doubt if any team in the country is playing the way they want to eventually play," Kruger said. "I'm not alarmed by it."

Even if he was distressed, the Rebels' schedule allows little time for reflection. UNLV plays four games in the next seven days, starting Tuesday against Texas-Pan American at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Rebels also host Northern Arizona on Thursday and North Carolina A&T on Saturday, before their first road game at Texas-El Paso on Nov. 24.

"Of course the players like it. I might want another day of practice in there," Kruger said. "It will be a good stretch for us."

Kruger would like to see UNLV play with more flow offensively. Against San Diego's zone defense, the Rebels shot 8-for-29 on 3-pointers and committed 15 turnovers.

"There were a lot of opportunities to be aggressive and penetrate and make plays," Kruger said. "I thought we were a little tentative and impatient offensively, but for the first game it's not a huge surprise."

Kruger had few qualms with the backcourt play of senior Wink Adams and freshman point guard Oscar Bellfield. Adams scored 19 points and Bellfield had 13 points, six assists and two turnovers in his first regular-season start.

Adams bruised his tailbone on a hard fall under the basket, but he reported no problems Sunday and is expected to practice today.

"I think Wink is in the best shape of his life, and he'll need to be to counteract the attention from opposing defenses," Kruger said.

Adams said the competitive opener was a positive experience for Bellfield, junior forward Darris Santee, sophomore guard Tre'Von Willis and freshman center Brice Massamba -- all playing their first game for UNLV.

"It's good for the young guys to play close games like this and learn from their mistakes," Adams said. "Guys missed shots and kind of put their heads down and got frustrated. But you've got to keep playing."

Kruger used nine players Saturday. Redshirt freshman center Beas Hamga and freshman guard DeShawn Mitchell did not play, but Kruger said both will play this week and Mitchell is not a redshirt candidate.

"A lot of guys who didn't get to play Saturday will get some playing time," Kruger said.

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