Willis can take it or dish it out

But it wouldn’t be surprising to see the sophomore point guard score 11 or more points as UNLV hosts a hobbled San Diego State squad in a first-place Mountain West Conference showdown at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Willis’ maturation as a Division I point guard took a quantum leap forward with his career-high 11-assist performance in the Rebels’ 59-38 win at Air Force on Saturday.

While it’s true he was helped by hot-shooting teammates Joe Darger and Kendall Wallace, Willis gave them open looks by driving aggressively, drawing defenders away, and then making good decisions with the ball.

"I’m starting to get comfortable with my teammates," said Willis, who redshirted last season after transferring from Memphis. "It takes time to learn where guys like the ball, and it took me awhile to get the rust off my game.

"I’m playing more instinctively. I was tentative earlier. But I’ve had a lot of repetitions, and now I just play."

UNLV coach Lon Kruger said he’s pleased with Willis’ play over the past month, which has helped the Rebels (17-4) start 5-2 in conference.

In addition to his career high in assists against Air Force, Willis led UNLV’s second-half comeback in a 75-65 win against Utah on Jan. 24, finishing with a career-best 22 points.

"It’s a big adjustment, but Tre’ has made tremendous progress," Kruger said. "His decision making has improved, and he’s aggressive."

That’s a big concern for the Aztecs (15-5, 5-2 MWC), who might be without their best defender, senior point guard Richie Williams.

Williams hurt his left knee late in San Diego State’s 78-59 win at Colorado State on Saturday and is listed as doubtful.

Aztecs freshman forward Tim Shelton is doubtful as well after re-injuring his surgically repaired right knee in the first half against the Rams. Also, senior forward Ryan Amoroso is nursing a sore back, and senior guard Lorrenzo Wade is trying to recover from the flu.

Even if Williams plays, he faces a difficult task in trying to slow the 6-foot-4-inch Willis, who is averaging 11.2 points.

"He’s a big guard who can get into traffic and find people,"  San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher said.

Fisher has tried to extend his bench by playing a regular rotation of nine to 10 players, but that depth figures to be tested against the Rebels.

Amoroso’s back is a concern. Wade, a former Cheyenne High standout, is coming off a season-best 25-point effort against Colorado State but isn’t likely to be 100 percent.

"One of the strengths of our team has been our depth," Fisher said. "Richie is a phenomenal defensive player, and we would miss him at that end."

• NOTES — Wade was named the Mountain West’s co-player of the week, sharing the honor with Utah’s Luke Nevill. … Former major league pitching star and longtime UNLV season-ticket holder Greg Maddux will be honored at halftime. Maddux retired last month with 355 victories.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.