Nov. 14, 1999

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Runnin' Rebels will host California West All-Stars in its final exhibition game on Monday, Nov. 15, at 7:35 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center (18,500). UNLV then will open the 1999-2000 season against Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:35 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Runnin' Rebels will open the season with a four-game homestand over the first 10 days of the '99-2000 campaign.

All Runnin' Rebel games will be carried live on ESPN 920 AM. Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick will call the action all season long. Rebel Radio Pregame will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Tony Cordasco, Ruben Herrera and Derek Roy. The pregame show with Ken and Gondo will begin at 6:30 p.m. Fans can bring their radio to the game and tune in to ESPN's radio broadcast inside the Thomas & Mack Center on 99.5 FM. Radio broadcasts can be heard on the internet at www.unlvrebels.com.

RADIO/TV SHOW INFO: "Game Time with UNLV Hoops" television show will be shown every Sunday on KLAS TV-8 at 4:30 p.m. (begins Sunday, Dec. 5). The show, with Head Coach Bill Bayno and host Chris Maathuis, features previews of upcoming opponents and highlights of previous games.

"The Bill Bayno Radio Show" can be heard live every Tuesday from Gordon Biersch (located on 3987 Paradise Road) at 7 p.m. on ESPN 920 AM with hosts Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick. The weekly show, which can be heard on www.unlvrebels.com, features interviews and listener call-ins. Listeners are invited to call in to the show at (702) 365-9200. The first show is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 23.

In addition every Runnin' Rebel game can be heard live on Teamline by calling (800) 846-4700. The Runnin' Rebel team access code is 1094.

LINEUPS: Here's a glance at the possible starters for the season opener for each team.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (0-0)

UNLV RUNNIN' REBELS (0-0)

INJURY REPORT: Athletic Trainer Dave Tomchek reports that junior guard Danny Brotherson has tendonitis in the left arch.

TICKET INFORMATION: Season tickets as well as individual game tickets are available for the 1999-2000 season. For season ticket information, call 895-UNLV and individual game tickets are available at the Thomas & Mack Center box office. Tickets are priced at $15, $12, $10 for reserved seats in the balcony. Fans can also purchase tickets through tickets.com at 888-464-2468.

PROMOTIONS: Friday, Nov. 19 vs. Mississippi Valley State - the first 2,500 fans will receive 1999-2000 schedule magnets, sponsored by PacifiCare, Sunday, Nov. 21 vs. Fairfield - the first 2,500 fans will receive key chains, sponsored by Ted Wiens, Wednesday, Nov. 24 vs. UNR - the first 2,500 fans will receive hats, sponsored by Nextlink, Sunday, Nov. 28 vs. Georgetown - the first 10,000 fans will receive team posters, sponsored by Wells Fargo.

CALIFORNIA WEST ALL-STARS TOUR SCHEDULE: California West All-Stars is currently 7-3 on its 14-game tour.

Nov. 1 at Wyoming, W 97-94            Nov. 10 at ASU, W 77-69Nov. 2 at San Diego, L 111-77         Nov. 11 at N. Mexico, W100-90Nov. 4 at UC Irvine, L 86-83          Nov. 12 at California, W 94-89Nov. 5 at USC, L 89-65                Nov. 14 at ArizonaNov. 6 at Northern Arizona, W 89-78   Nov. 15 at UNLVNov. 7 at Idaho, W 78-67              Nov. 16 at Washington StateNov. 9 at Utah, W 70-68               Nov. 17 at Oregon

UNLV EXHIBITION RESULTS: Looking over the last nine years, here are scores from UNLV's exhibition games:

UNLV 103, Global Sports 97 (11-8-99)
UNLV 101, Global Sports 81 (11-5-98)
UNLV 79, California All-Stars 69 (11-10-98)
UNLV 109, USDBL 84 (11-1-97)
UNLV 72, Melbourne 56 (11-9-97)
UNLV 91, Global Sports 81 (11-14-96)
UNLV 99, USDBL 86 (11-17-96)
UNLV 79, Marathon 76 (11-16-95)
UNLV 71, Mexico National 61 (11-21-95)
UNLV 98, Verich Reps 92 (11-17-94)
Mexico National 82, UNLV 64 (11-22-94)
UNLV 92, Verich Reps 88 (11-20-93)
Australian National Team 102, UNLV 95 (11-27-93)
UNLV 98, Russian Select 68 (11-20-92)
UNLV 81, Marathon 80 (11-27-92)
UNLV 78, Cuban National 69 (11-7-91)
UNLV 89, Marathon 67 (11-18-91)

REBEL BASKETBALL LUNCHEONS: The Rebel basketball luncheons featurning Bill Bayno will be held six times this season at noon at the Si Redd Room in the Thomas & Mack Center. Admittance is free to working media.

LUNCHEON SCHEDULE:

UNLV VS. GLOBAL SPORTS RECAP: The UNLV Runnin' Rebels defeated Global Sports 103-97 on Monday, Nov. 8, at the Thomas & Mack Center in the team's first exhibition game. Five Runnin' Rebels scored in double figures. Junior center Kaspars Kambala scored a game-high 23 points (9-for-16 FG, 5-for-7 FT) and pulled down 14 rebounds in 31 minutes. Junior guard Trevor Diggs scored 19 points in 33 minutes, senior point guard Mark Dickel recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists in 35 minutes. Sophomore forward Chris Richardson added 12 (10-for-10 FT) and freshman forward Dalron Johnson rounded out the double figure scoring with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in 26 minutes.

UNLV never trailed in the game and raced out to an early 8-0 lead in the first 1:19. UNLV enjoyed its biggest lead of 15 points with a 36-21 lead with 9:18 left in the half. Junior forward Sylvester Dotson made two free throws with 3 seconds left to give UNLV a 54-41 halftime lead. Global Sports, which dropped to 1-4 on its 12-game tour, outscored UNLV 56-49 in the second half.

Global Sports cut the deficit to 58-53 with 16:33 left in the game. UNLV then scored five straight points to take a 63-53 lead with 15:39 left. Global Sports then cut the lead to 71-67 at the 9:54 mark. Global Sports couldn't cut the lead any closer the rest of the way. UNLV led 78-68 at 9:10 and Global Sports came right back and trailed 80-75 with 7:53 left. Johnson's jumper at 3:33 increased UNLV's lead back to 90-81. Andre Branch connected on a 3-pointer to cut the score to 96-91 with 1:13 to play.

The second half was played out at the free throw line. UNLV shot .774 (24-for-31) from the line in the second half and .787 (37-for-47) for the game. Global Sports shot .700 (16-for-22) in the second half and 21-for-30 for the game. UNLV shot .449 (31-for-69) from the field and Global Sports shot .449 (35-for-78).

UNLV shot .211 (4-for-19) from 3-point range and Global Sports shot .300 (6-for-20). Global Sports outrebounded UNLV 51-39. Forward Sai Tuialii led Global Sports with 22 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. Guard Marcus Saxon added 18.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE - SEASON OPENER ON NOV. 19: UNLV will open its 42nd season of basketball against Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:35 p.m. in the Thomas & Mack Center. The Delta Devils compiled an overall record of 14-13 last season and 11-6 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The game against UNLV will also be the season opener for the Delta Devils. MVS lost its lone exhibition game to VASDA USA, 104-100, on Nov. 10. The game will mark the first meeting between the two schools.

RUNNIN' REBEL HEAD COACH BILL BAYNO: He begins his fifth season as the head coach of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. He is UNLV's 10th head coach in the 42-year history of Rebel basketball. He has a career record of 68-52 (.567) in four seasons at the helm of Runnin' Rebel basketball. He recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons (42-23 record over that stretch) in '96-97 and '97-98 and has guided UNLV to postseason play for three straight seasons (NIT in '96-97, NCAA in '97-98, NIT in '98-99). He has also recorded three straight .500 or better seasons (1996-99).

In 1998-99, UNLV compiled an overall record of 16-13 and were the WAC Mountain Division Co-Champions. UNLV compiled an overall record of 22-10 in 1996-97 in Bayno's second season. UNLV more than doubled its win total from 1995-96 (10-16 record).

In 1997-98, UNLV compiled an overall record of 20-13. The Runnin' Rebels had a remarkable run winning four games in five days in the WAC Tournament. UNLV posted victories over Hawai'i, Utah, Fresno State and New Mexico to capture the WAC Tournament championship and receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. UNLV reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1990-91 season. UNLV faced eighth-ranked Princeton in the NCAA East Regionals in Hartford, Conn.

Bayno served seven years as the associate head coach at the University of Massachusetts under John Calipari (former head coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets). Other coaching experience includes: 1987-88: Assistant Coach, Baptist College (Charleston, SC), 1986-87: Graduate Assistant Coach, University of Kansas, 1985-86: Graduate Assistant Coach, Seton Hall University. Playing experience includes: 1980-82: Massachusetts and 1983-85: Sacred Heart University.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE HEAD COACH LAFAYETTE STRIBLING: He is in his 17th season at Mississippi Valley State and his record is 230-235 (.495).

HOME OPENERS: UNLV is 33-8 (.805) in home openers and 4-0 under coach Bayno (defeated Cal State Northridge 80-56 on Nov. 25, 1995, defeated Cal State Northridge 61-59 on Nov. 23, 1996, defeated Loyola Marymount 96-81 on Nov. 15, 1997, defeated Sacred Heart 103-56 on Nov. 14, 1998). UNLV is 15-1 in home openers at the Thomas & Mack Center. The only loss was against Cal State Fullerton, 82-80, on Dec. 17, 1994.

FAIRFIELD: The Stags compiled an overall record 12-15 last season and 7-11 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Fairfield will open the 1999-2000 season at Kansas on Friday, Nov. 19. The game against UNLV will mark the first meeting between the two schools.

FAIRFIELD HEAD COACH TIM O'TOOLE: He is in his second season at Fairfield and his record is 12-15 (.444).

A STATISTICAL COMPARISON: Here's a look at Mississippi Valley State and UNLV's final statistical averages from last season.

PACIFICARE RUNNIN' REBEL ALL-MILLENNIUM TEAM: The UNLV Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that basketball fans will have the opportunity to vote for the PacifiCare Runnin' Rebel All-Millennium Team. Voting will take place primarily on the athletics department website at www.unlvrebels.com in conjunction with FANSONLY. A ballot will also appear in the 1999-2000 Runnin' Rebel Official Yearbook and in the Rebel Nation (Nov. 2 edition). The contest will launch on the website on Tuesday, Nov. 2, and conclude on Wednesday, March 1.

Though this is only the 42nd season of men's basketball at UNLV, the push into the year 2000 offers a perfect chance to reflect on a program's storied past, honor its accomplishments and - most fun of all - select its best players in history.

Certain to spark friendly debate across the Las Vegas Valley, the naming of the all-time best Runnin' Rebels comes with just one catch - you get to decide. That's right, it is the fans who get to vote for the school's most dominating center, prolific shooting guard and effective forward. Brought to you by the UNLV athletics department, the FANSonly Network and PacifiCare of Nevada, the election will see the best of the basketball bunch pared down to the ultimate Runnin' Rebel squad. Five players, one from each position, will be chosen from the 36 nominees provided along with any write-in candidates.

"Although UNLV basketball is a relatively young program, in just more than four decades of existence it has established a presence rivaling any school in the nation," Geri Martin, marketing manager for PacifiCare of Nevada, said. "Moreover, the Runnin' Rebels have become a vital part of our community. As we head into the next millenium, this is PacifiCare's way of helping honor some of the best to ever play the college game."

PacifiCare is one of the country's leading managed health care services companies. Primary operations include managed care products for Medicare beneficiaries and employer groups in nine states, serving approximately 3.6 million members.

Voting for the team is as simple as hitting a few buttons. You can click to pick! All five positions have at least seven candidates to choose from, each with biographical information available.

Voting closes on March 1. The PacifiCare Runnin' Rebel All-Millennium Team will be announced during ceremonies on Saturday, March 4, as part of UNLV's final regular-season home game against Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico.

From Elburt Miller, who scored 55 points in one game in 1967 to Shawn Marion, who was an NBA lottery pick in 1999, all the Runnin' Rebel greats are included on the ballot for your perusal. Now it's your job to pick just five.

"We hope all fans will get involved and vote for their all-time favorites," Martin said. "PacifiCare would like to thank not only those who had the greatest impact, but also all who ever donned a UNLV uniform. Thanks for putting Runnin' Rebel basketball on the map."

The following is the list for the All-Millennium Team:

Center - George Ackles (1988-91), Richie Adams (1981-85), Jimmie Baker (1972-74), Lewis Brown (1973-77), David Butler (1988-90), Keon Clark (1996-98), Elmore Spencer (1990-92).

Power Forward - Jarvis Basnight (1985-86), Armon Gilliam (1984-87), Glen Gondrezick (1973-77), Evric Gray (1990-93), Sidney Green (1979-83), Larry Johnson (1989-91), Jackie Robinson (1973-78).

Small Forward - Larry Anderson (1979-83), Stacey Augmon (1987-91), Robert Florence (1971-74), Shawn Marion (1998-99), Elburt Miller (1966-68), Eddie Owens (1973-77), Gerald Paddio (1986-88), J.R. Rider (1991-93).

Shooting Guard - Freddie Banks (1983-87), Dexter Boney (1991-93), Anderson Hunt (1988-91), Anthony Jones (1984-86), Reggie Manuel (1991-95), Sam Smith (1975-77), Tony Smith (1976-79).

Point Guard - Greg Anthony (1988-91), Michael Burns (1978-82), Robert Smith (1974-77), Ricky Sobers (1973-75), Danny Tarkanian (1981-84), Reggie Theus (1975-78), Mark Wade (1985-87).