Willis elevated back to Rebels’ starting lineup

After a month in a reserve role, senior guard Tre’Von Willis is back in the first five. A lineup move that seemed imminent was made official Tuesday by Rebels coach Lon Kruger.

”You knew it was going to happen,” Marshall said. ”It had to happen sometime.”

Willis, a preseason first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection, will help lead UNLV (9-1) against UC Santa Barbara (4-3) at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Gauchos return five starters from a 20-win team, and two are big-time scorers. Junior forward James Nunnally averages 21.9 points per game, and junior guard Orlando Johnson averages 21.4.

Kruger kept the same lineup for 10 games. But he opted for change after the Rebels, in their seventh straight game away from home, suffered a 77-69 defeat at Louisville on Saturday. The loss dropped UNLV’s ranking from 20th to 22nd in this week’s Associated Press poll.

”We’ll have a lot of different starting lineups on the year, I would imagine, before it’s all over because a lot of guys are playing well,” Kruger said. ”It’s not a change that’s a result of what Anthony is not doing. He’s doing fine.

”Anthony has got a great attitude about everything. It’s always a little disappointing. There are 12 guys who would like to start, and that’s healthy and that’s the way it should be.”

Marshall had nine points, 11 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals in 30 minutes against Louisville. He was not pleased about moving to the bench but said he stepped aside with a ”positive outlook” and without kicking and screaming.

”Whatever role I can fill to help the ballclub get better, I’m willing to do that,” said Marshall, a Mojave High School product. ”We need Tre to play like he was playing last year. We need him to be that leader. He’s a great player.

”I guess it could be an ego thing. But it’s really not who starts the game, it’s who finishes. When it’s crunch time, I like to be on the court.”

Marshall has started 20 consecutive games, including his final 10 as a freshman while Derrick Jasper was injured. Marshall is averaging 9.4 points and 23.7 minutes per game this season.

It has been odd seeing Willis, the Rebels’ leading scorer last season at 17.2 points per game, come off the bench for an extended stretch. But Kruger was not inclined to change anything during a winning streak.

Willis had minor knee surgery in early August and was suspended for the first four games, including two exhibitions, as a result of his offseason arrest. He’s averaging 10.5 points and 24.6 minutes after eight games as a reserve.

In the past three games, Willis has shot 14-for-22 (63.6 percent) from the field and averaged 14 points.

”He’s getting better and healthier with each week,” Kruger said.

Willis was visibly disturbed during the second half of Saturday’s game. UNLV led 45-36 with 16:45 remaining before allowing Louisville to take command with a 21-6 run.

”I didn’t feel like we had enough fight,” Willis said. ”I feel like great teams answer the bell. We didn’t punch back when they initially went on that run. That’s the only thing I was disappointed about, but that’s behind us.

”If I’m starting or not, I’ve still got to do my job.”

Willis and Marshall are roommates on road trips. Marshall said the two have a ”great relationship” and he accepts his new role.

”Last year he took me under his wing and talked to me about some stuff and kind of helped me get through my freshman year,” Marshall said.

n NOTES — The Rebels traveled an estimated 8,620 miles on their trips to Anaheim, Calif., Normal, Ill., Reno and Louisville. … Point guard Matt Carlino, a freshman transfer from UCLA, visited UNLV’s practice. Carlino said he plans to pick a new school by the end of the month and is also considering Brigham Young, Butler, Saint Mary’s and San Diego.

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