August 6, 1998
The Runnin' Rebel basketball program saved the best for last at the conclusion of the 1997-98 campaign. UNLV won 10 out of its last 13 games, including winning four games in five days to capture the WAC Tournament Championship, in only its second year in the conference. UNLV defeated Hawai'i, nationally ranked Utah, Fresno State and nationally ranked New Mexico in the championship game. UNLV received the automatic NCAA Torunament bid and won its 20th game of the season in the process. It was UNLV's first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 1991 Final Four.
The Runnin' Rebels program has recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons and will hope to carry the momentum of its great postseason run into the 1998-99 season. UNLV advanced to the NCAA East Regionals in Hartford, Conn., against Princeton. It was a great achievement for the program that has improved its squad once again with an outstanding recruiting class.
UNLV will be competing in its third and last season in the 16-team Western Athletic Conference. UNLV, along with Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah and Wyoming will join a new yet to be named conference which will begin play in the 1999-2000 season.
The Runnin' Rebels boast a strong nucleus returning from the 1997-98 squad which posted an overall record of 20-13 and a 7-7 mark, which was fifth in the WAC's Mountain Division. UNLV celebrated the 40th season of basketball in its history by recording its 25th 20-win season. UNLV advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 17th time in its history and its second straight postseason appearance. The Runnin' Rebels, who compiled a 1996-97 overall record of 22-10, participated in the National Invitation Tournament and advanced to the third round.
The Runnin' Rebels, under fourth-year head coach Bill Bayno, have compiled a record of 42-23 (.646) over the past two seasons. Bayno has a three-year record of 52-39 (.571).
UNLV returns seven players plus one redshirt and adds five newcomers.
The team will look upon its two seniors: Brian Keefe and Kevin Simmons, who both enjoyed outstanding WAC Tournament performances.
Keefe, a 6-foot-4 guard from Winchester, Mass., provides UNLV with a solid 3-point threat. He appeared in 27 games (started in 12) last season and averaged 7.7 points. He shot .417 from 3-point range (45-for-108), which led the team. He scored a season-high 27 points against Wyoming on Feb. 26. He scored 18 points in a season-high 40 minutes against then-No. 20 New Mexico in the WAC Tournament Championship game on March 7. He established a season-high with six 3-pointers (9 attempts). He was named to the WAC All-Tournament Team. In four games, he averaged 13.3 points and shot .406 (13-for-32) from 3-point range. The 13 3-pointers is a WAC Tournament record.
Simmons, a 6-foot-8 forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., solidifies the inside game. He emerged as one of the team's most consistent players. He appeared in 19 games (started in 12) last season and averaged 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds in 514 minutes (27.1 average). Kevin averaged 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds over the final 14 games of the season (UNLV was 10-4). He scored 21 points (5-for-12 FG, 10-for-13 FT), 16 in the second half and pulled down 9 rebounds in a season-high 37 minutes against Fresno State in the WAC Tournament Semifinals on March 6. He then scored 13 points (5-for-12 FG) and pulled down 7 rebounds in 36 minutes against then-No. 20 New Mexico in the WAC Tournament Championship game on March 7. He averaged 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in four tournament games. He Scored 13 points and pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds (fourth double-double) against Princeton in the NCAA East Regionals on March 12.
The Runnin' Rebels return two juniors: Mark Dickel and Issiah Epps.
Dickel, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Dunedin, New Zealand, returns for his third season. His superb play down the stretch last season enabled the team to make its postseason run. He has appeared in 65 career games and is averaging 5.5 points (354 total points) and 4.7 assists (306 total) in 1,749 minutes (26.9 average). UNLV has an overall record of 42-23 (.646) in Dickel's two seasons at the point guard position. He appeared in 33 games last season and was the team leader with a career-high 183 assists. He ranked second on the team with 999 minutes played (30.3 average). He recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 assists in the season opener against Loyola Marymount on Nov. 15. He dished out a career-high 12 assists (WAC Tournament record) in 38 minutes against then-No. 20 New Mexico in the WAC Tournament Championship game on March 7. For his efforts, he was named to the WAC All-Tournament Team. Mark averaged 8.3 points and 7.8 assists in the WAC Tourney.
Epps, a 6-foot-10 center from Kingstree, S.C., returns for his second season. He bolsters UNLV's rebounding and provides opportunities in the transition game. He appeared in 27 games (started in 6) last season and averaged 3.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots. He was the team leader with 39 blocked shots. He recorded his first collegiate double-double (in his first start) with a career-high 14 points (6-for-9 FG) and a career-high 13 rebounds against UNR on Dec. 30.
UNLV returns a trio of talented sophomores: Greedy Daniels, Kaspars Kambala and Donovan Stewart, who all contributed heavily as freshman.
Daniels, a 6-foot point guard from New Orleans, La., was named to the WAC Mountain Division All-Newcomer Team. He appeared in 32 games (started in 20) last season and averaged 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He was the team-leader with 55 steals and second with 91 assists. He played his best all-around game of the season against USC on Dec. 2. Greedy scored 17 points (7-for-10 FG), pulled down a career-high 9 rebounds (defensive), 6 assists and 5 steals. He scored in double figures in a total of 11 games.
Kambala, a 6-foot-9 forward/center from Riga, Latvia, was named the WAC Mountain Division Freshman of the Year and named to the All-Newcomer Team. He appeared in 32 games last season and averaged 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds (team leader) and was the team leader with nine double-doubles. He scored a career-high 24 points and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds against Chicago State on Dec. 17. He scored 23 points and pulled down 15 rebounds against then-No. 25 Syracuse in the Las Vegas Shootout on Dec. 20. He scored in double figures in 19 of 32 games and 20 or more points four times.
Stewart, a 6-foot 4 guard from Rialto, Calif., appeared in 32 games (started in 13) last season and averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 571 minutes (17.8 average). He provides depth to the guard and the small forward positions. He scored a career-high 17 points (6-for-9 FG) and pulled down 9 rebounds in 28 minutes in the season opener against Loyola Marymount on Nov. 15. He pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds (9 offensive) in 31 minutes against then-No. 11 New Mexico on Feb. 16.
Freshman redshirt Keith Long will add depth to the guard position. The 6-foot guard is from Dumont, N.J., and is a 1997 graduate of River Dell High School.
UNLV has assembled another solid recruiting class for the 1998-99 season. The Runnin' Rebels will add four freshman and one junior-college transfer.
Shawn Marion, a 6-foot-7 forward from North Chicago Ill., is regarded as one of the top JC players in the country. He played two seasons at Vincennes (Ind.) University for coach Dan Sparks. Last season, Marion appeared in 36 games and averaged 23.5 points (847 total points) and 13.1 rebounds (471 total). He shot 60 percent from the field (331-for-549) and 75 percent from the free throw line (122-for-163). Marion had 105 blocked shots (2.9 average), 76 steals (2.0) and 99 assists (2.8). His squad compiled an overall record of 31-5 and advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.
He set the tournament record for rebounds with 68 (13.6 average in five games). He scored 37 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in Vincennes' 103-89 victory over Southern Union (Ala.) in the fifth-place game. He participated in the National Junior College All-Star Game which was played in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on April 11. Marion was named the game's MVP with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
"Shawn is an explosive athlete who I am really looking forward to coaching," Bayno said. "He has incredible potential. He can play inside and outside. He needs to work on his perimeter shooting and his play off the dribble. He's a long athletic player that can get out on the wing and run. He finishes in transition and has a nice inside game to compliment the quickness and ball handling ability on the perimeter. Maybe his greatest attribute right now at any level is his ability to rebound. He is a quick jumper that is able to get the basketballs on both ends of the court."
Desmond Herod, a 6-foot-5 freshman guard, is a graduate of Adelphi Academy in Bayridge, N.Y., where he played for coach Joe McMahn. As a senior, he appeared in 22 games and averaged 30.5 points (670 total points), 13.0 rebounds (286 total), 4.0 assists (89 total), 3.3 steals (73 total) and 3.7 blocked shots (81 total). He earned All-BORO (Brooklyn) honors and was a three-time MVP at Adelphi. Herod played three seasons at Adelphi and his freshman season at FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) High School. In 96 career games, he compiled 2,516 points (26.2 average) which placed him second all-time in New York City High Schools behind Kenny Anderson, now a member of the NBA's Boston Celtics.
"Desmond is an athletic wing player," Bayno said. "He can really shoot the ball from the perimeter. He is a tremendous defensive player who can get out and pressure the ball and into the passing lanes and comes up with loose balls. He's an intense competitor and is a warrior and gym rat. He is going to have a tremendous career here at UNLV. He is maybe a redshirt possibility."
Chris Richardson, a 6-foot-7 freshman forward, is a graduate of Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he played for coach Robert Taylor. As a senior, he appeared in 36 games and averaged 18.3 points (660 total points), 10.7 rebounds (385 total), 4.7 steals and 3.2 assists. He earned MVP honors of his district, All-Metro MVP, first-team all-state TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) and first-team all-region 4.
"Chris is a wing player that can play inside and outside," Bayno said. "He needs to work on becoming a more consistent perimeter shooter. He may have the highest vertical (leap) of any Rebel since Warren Rosegreen. He jumps out the gym and is very athletic. He is great shot blocker for a small forward.
"Chris is a tremendous kid and is a good student who will come in and work hard to improve his overall game. I am very excited about his potential and his future at UNLV."
Matt Siebrandt, a 6-foot-7 freshman forward, is a graduate of Galena High School in Reno, where he played for coach Tom Maurer. As a senior, he appeared in 34 games and averaged 14.9 points (502 total points), 7.5 rebounds (256 total), 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada. He earned first-team all-state and first-team All-Northern Nevada honors.
"Matt is another inside and outside player. Right now a No. 4 (position), power forward with small forward skills," Bayno said. "He is a redshirt possibility. He is a good athlete and has a knack for using both hands. He has a nice touch around the basket and can knock down the 15 foot jump shot. He is a tough competitor who will play hard and do whatever it takes for the team to win. Matt is someone that you have to have to be a successful program.
"Matt will continue to work to improve and I am really looking forward to coaching him over the next four years."
Myron Piggie will add depth to the guard position. The 6-foot freshman is a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Kansas City, Mo.
The Runnin' Rebels schedule will once again feature perennial nonconference opponents. The highlight of UNLV's nonconference road games will be against Kansas in the Tipoff Classic (Nov. 27) in Springfield, Mass. UNLV then will travel to Reno (Dec. 2), Arizona State in the America West Arena (Dec. 5) and UCLA (Dec. 12). The Runnin' Rebels feature nonconference home games are against Cincinnati (Dec. 19) in the Las Vegas Shootout, USC and Georgetown.
The WAC schedule features 14 Mountain Division games with home-and-home contests with Air Force Academy, Colorado State, Wyoming plus Rice, SMU, TCU and Tulsa.
The WAC Tournament will return for its third season in Las Vegas on Tuesday-Saturday, March 2-6, at the Thomas & Mack Center.
UNLV Runnin' Rebel Quick Facts
Location: Las Vegas, Nev. (elev. 2,030)Address: 4505 Maryland Parkway, 89154Founded: 1957Enrollment: 20,000President: Dr. Carol HarterDirector of Athletics: Charles CavagnaroAssociate Athletic Director: Jerry KoloskieFaculty Athletic Rep: Myrlene LamancusaConference: Western Athletic ConferenceNickname: Runnin' Rebels (men's basketball only)Colors: Scarlet and GrayHead Coach: Bill Bayno (Sacred Heart '85, fourth season)Career Record/Years/Record at UNLV: 52-39 (.571)/3 years/52-39 Associate Head Coach: Glynn Cyprien (Texas-San Antonio '90)Assistant Coach: Dave Rice (UNLV '91)Assistant Coach: Greg Vetrone (Long Island '86)Dir./Basketball Operations: Barry Rohrssen (St. Francis '83)Athletic Trainer: Dave Tomchek (Michigan '88)Office Manager: Annette FazioSecretary: Mary Lou MichalewiczAcademic Adviser: Lori Friel Arena/Capacity: Thomas & Mack Center/18,500All-Time Record in T&M/Year Opened: 202-31 (.867), 15 yrs., 1983UNLV All-Time Record: 857-317 (.729/40 seasons)UNLV 1997-98 Record: 20-13/7-7 in Mountain Div.(5th)Postseason Appearance: NCAA First Round - East RegionalsHighest Ranking: NoneFinal Ranking: NoneLettermen Returning/Lost: 6/7Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1Radio Station: KXNT-AM (840)TV Station (road games): KFBT Gold 33, Cable 6Announcers: Ken Korach, Glen Gondrezick
NUMBERS TO NOTE (AREA CODE 702)UNLV Sports Information: 895-3207UNLV Sports Information Fax: 895-0989Men's Basketball SID: Jim GemmaHome Phone: 433-3119Broadcasting Contact: Tony Cordasco Office Phone: 895-1896Thomas & Mack Center Courtside: 895-4600UNLV Men's Basketball Office: 895-3295UNLV Men's Basketball FAX: 895-1399UNLV Athletic Director's Office: 895-4729UNLV Ticket Office: 895-3900Ticketmaster: 474-4000UNLV Athletics Internet: www.unlvrebels.comNCAA Appearances: 17NCAA Record: 30-12 (.714)Best NCAA Finish: 1990 National ChampionsNIT Appearances: 4NIT Record: 6-5Best NIT finish: NIT semifinals in 1980
