Nov. 18, 2000
MAUI - After opening the season Friday night with an 81-60 victory over Northern Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Runnin' Rebels will compete in the Maui Invitational. UNLV opens against No. 8 Illinois on Monday, Nov. 20, at 8:30 p.m. PST. The game, played at the 2,400-seat Lahaina Civic Center, will be televised live on ESPN2 and may be heard on ESPN 920 AM and on the internet at www.unlvrebels.com.
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Mon., Nov. 20UNLV vs. No. 8 Illinois8:30 p.m. PST
Game part of Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center (2,400), Lahaina, Hawaii, Game may be heard live on ESPN 920 AM in Las Vegas and on the internet at www.unlvrebels.com, Game televised live on ESPN2.
THE RUNNIN' REBELS
UNLV (1-0) opened its regular season Friday night with an 81-60 victory over Northern Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Runnin' Rebels were led by All-America candidate Kaspars Kambala's 29th career double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. UNLV has high expectations in 2000-01 after capturing the inaugural Mountain West Conference regular season and tournament championships last season. The Runnin' Rebels finished 23-8 overall last year, which included their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last three years and their fourth straight postseason appearance. The team recorded a 10-4 mark in the Mountain West, which tied for first place. The team won both of its exhibition games this season, a 94-80 victory over the Delta Jammers on Nov. 7 and a 91-79 win over the L.A. Stars on Nov. 10. This year's squad returns nine letterwinners and four starters, while losing only three letterwinners and one starter. Mark Dickel, the nation's top assist man last year, is UNLV's most notable loss from the 1999-00 team.
THE OPPONENT
No. 8 Illinois (1-0) opened its regular season with an 86-57 win over Maine on Friday night. The Fighting Illini were led by Marcus Griffin's 15 points and 6 rebounds. Illinois returns 11 letterwinners and all five starters of its 22-10 NCAA Tournament team in 1999-00. The Fighting Illini lost in the second round to Florida 96-76. They finished fourth in the Big Ten last season with a mark of 11-5. Illinois won both its exhibition games this year: 91-56 over Athletes in Action and 76-57 over NBC Thunder. Head Coach Bill Self is in his first season at Illinois and has an eight-year head coaching record of 131-80.
FOR OPENERS
After Friday's win, UNLV is now 33-10 all-time in season openers and is 25-4 when opening the season at home. The Rebels have never lost at the T&M in a season opener as they are 10-0. UNLV has won its season opener each of the last six seasons.
SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series history between Illinois and UNLV is tied at 1-1. Illinois won the last meeting 84-74, which was on Nov. 19, 1980 in the NIT consolation game in New York. UNLV won the first meeting between the two schools 94-92 on Jan. 13, 1978 at home.
A TOUGH SCHEDULE
UNLV will face arguably one of the toughest schedules in program history during the 2000-01 season. The Runnin' Rebels have six possible opponents that are ranked in the AP Top 25 (Arizona, Maryland, Illinois, Utah, Connecticut, Cincinnati) and have an additional six possible opponents that are receiving votes (Georgetown, Dayton, Wyoming, BYU, Cal State Northridge, Pepperdine).
KAMBALA RECORDS 29TH CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Runnin' Rebel senior Kaspars Kambala recorded a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds Friday night vs. Northern Arizona. That marked the 29th double-double of his career. Prior to this season beginning, Kambala ranked third among active Division I players in career double-doubles. As of Nov. 13, Maryland-Baltimore County's Kennedy Okafor had 33, Notre Dame's Troy Murphy had 32, while Kambala and Murray State's Isaac Spencer had 28.
RUNNIN' REBELS AT THE 'MACK
The Runnin' Rebels are playing their 18th season in the 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV has posted an all-time record of 231-39 (.856) in the arena since it opened in 1983. The Runnin' Rebels were 18-2 in the building last season and currently hold an 11-game win streak at the T&M. UNLV has been edged at home by four points or less 17 times and the 39 losses has been by an average of 7.6 points (298 total points).
REBELS RIDING 11-GAME HOME WIN STREAK
UNLV currently owns an 11-game home win streak. UNLV's last loss at the Thomas & Mack Center was to BYU (77-75) on Jan. 10, 2000.
INJURY UPDATE
Lou Kelly will likely be out of action until at least Jan. 1 because of a broken right foot. Kelly was diagnosed as fracturing the third metatarsal on Monday, Nov. 13. Last season, Kelly fractured the fifth metatarsal on the same foot during the Jan. 17 game vs. UNM and missed the remainder of the season. The two injuries are unrelated.
RICHARDSON INELIGIBLE
On Nov. 9, the Division I Committee on Infractions made a finding of a violation of NCAA ethical conduct against Chris Richardson in association with UNLV's infractions case. The University is appealing to restore his eligibility.
UP NEXT
UNLV will play either No. 6 Maryland or Louisville on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at either 4:00 p.m. PST or 1:00 p.m. PST depending on how it does vs. Illinois on Monday.
PRESEASON PUB
Kaspars Kambala has had some bigtime acknowledgments during the preseason. He has been named a Preseason Top 50 candidate for 2000-01 John R. Wooden Award All-American honors and was among the top 25 votegetters. In addition, he was named to the list of preseason candidates (one of 30) for the 2000-01 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year award.
RUNNIN' REBELS ON THE AIR
All Runnin' Rebel games will be carried live on ESPN 920 AM. Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick will call the action all season long. The pregame show will begin an hour before tipoff and the postgame show, which will last for approximately one hour, includes player interviews and fan call-ins. The broadcasts may also be heard inside the Thomas & Mack Center by tuning to 99.5 FM. In addition all broadcasts may be heard on the internet at www.unlvrebels.com.
COACH'S SHOWS
"Game Time with UNLV Hoops" television show will be shown every Sunday on KLAS TV-8 at 11:30 p.m. (begins Dec. 3). The show is hosted by Chris Maathuis and features head coach Bill Bayno. "The Bill Bayno Radio Show" may be heard live every Tuesday from Barley's Casino (4500 E. Sunset) at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN 920 AM with hosts Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick. The weekly show may also be heard on the internet at www.unlvrebels.com and 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 tonight. There is no show scheduled for Nov. 21, Jan. 2 and Jan. 23.
REBELS ON TV
UNLV is scheduled to appear on television 20 times this season. The Runnin' Rebels will be on ESPN at least four times, ESPN2 three times, ESPN-plus twice, SportsWest seven times, ESPN Regional at UNLV three times and ABC once. Depending on how UNLV does in the Maui Invitational, it may appear on ESPN for two extra games.
HEAD COACH BILL BAYNO
Runnin' Rebel Head Coach Bill Bayno is in his sixth season as a head coach (all with UNLV) with a career record of 92-60 (.605). Last season, Bayno led his team to a 23-8 overall record, a share of the regular season Mountain West Conference championship, the conference tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. For his efforts, he was honored with the Mountain West Conference Co-Coach of the Year award. Under Bayno, UNLV has qualified for the postseason each of the last four years and has made the NCAA Tournament two of the last three years (1998, 2000). Bayno's Rebels have also won the conference tournament two of the last three years (1998, 2000). He led the team to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1996-97 and 1997-98 and recorded his third 20-winner during the 1999-00 season. Bayno came to UNLV from Massachusetts where he served seven years as the associate coach under then-head coach John Calipari (former coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets).
COACHING STAFF
UNLV's assistant coaches are Dave Rice, Max Good and Charles Cunningham. Rice, who is in his eighth season, played on UNLV's 1990 National Championship team. Good, who is in his second season, came to UNLV after spending 10 years as head coach of Maine Central Institute (one of the nation's top prep schools). Cunningham, who is in his first season with the Rebels, joins the program after three years at Minnesota.
"THREE-POINT GOAL ..."
Since the 3-point field goal was adopted by the NCAA in 1986-87, UNLV has converted at least one 3-pointer in all 442 games played. During that span, the Runnin' Rebels have made 2965-of-8159 (.363) shots from behind the arc. The Big West Conference experimented with the 3-point shot in the 1982-83, 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons. During that period, UNLV connected from 3-point range in 53 of the 64 games (the 3-pointer was used in some non-conference games). The Runnin' Rebels sank 194-of-505 (.384) 3-point attempts during that time. The UNLV streak for games in which it sank at least one 3-point shot stands at 459. The last time the Runnin' Rebels failed to make at least one 3-pointer came against Long Beach State on Jan. 25, 1986. So, UNLV has sunk at least one shot from behind the arch in 495 of the 506 games in which the rule was used. In addition, the Runnin' Rebels have shot .365 from this distance while sinking 3159-of-8664 attempts. UNLV holds the NCAA record for most consecutive games scoring a three-point field goal.
NORTHERN ARIZONA REVIEW (11/17)
Kaspars Kambala recorded his 29th career double-double as UNLV routed Northern Arizona 81-60 in both teams season opener at the Thomas & Mack Center. Kambala scored 18 points (7-of-11 FG), pulled down 14 rebounds and had 4 assists. Trevor Diggs also contributed 18 points (7-of-14 FG, 3-of-7 3pt), while adding 3 assists and 2 steals. Dalron Johnson added 15 points (7-of-14 FG) for UNLV. As a team, the Runnin' Rebels shot 49.2% (32-of-65) to NAU's 45.8% (22-of-48) from the field, recorded only 8 turnovers to the Lumberjacks' 18 and had 8 steals to NAU's 2. Northern Arizona had four players in double figure scoring and was led by Casey Grundman's 14 points. UNLV held a 41-30 halftime advantage and outrebounded NAU for the game 35-31.
L.A. STARS REVIEW (11/10)
Five Runnin' Rebels scored in double figures as UNLV defeated the Los Angeles Stars 91-79 in its second and final exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack Center. Kaspars Kambala had a double-double by halftime with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. He ended up with 16 points (7-of-11 FG) and a game-high 13 rebounds. UNLV used a 14-1 run over a stretch of 3:50 in the first half to take a 25-17 lead and never looked back. The Runnin' Rebels went into halftime with a 49-30 lead, which turned out to be its biggest lead of the game. The Stars cut UNLV's lead to 9 points with 12:50 left in the game, but the Rebels stretched the lead back to 19 and cruised to the victory. Dalron Johnson led UNLV with 21 points (8-of-12 FG) and contributed 11 rebounds. Trevor Diggs, Jevon Banks and Sylvester Dotson all had 10 points. Banks led all players with 6 assists as UNLV recorded 25 total to the Stars' 9. The Runnin' Rebels shot 55.9 percent from the floor, while limiting the Stars to only 35.1 and recorded 54 rebounds to L.A.'s 41. The Stars were led by former Runnin' Rebel Warren Rosegreen's 17 points and 11 rebounds. Saipele Tuialii also scored 17 points. Reggie Manuel, another former Runnin' Rebel, scored 11.
DELTA JAMMERS REVIEW (11/7)
Kaspars Kambala scored a team-high 24 points and Chris Richardson added 16 as the UNLV Runnin' Rebels defeated the Delta Jammers 94-80 in an exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV led 48-43 with 17:55 left in the game when it went on an 11-2 run to take a commanding lead. The Rebels led by as many as 25 on their way to the 14-point victory. Dalron Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Runnin' Rebels. Kambala was an impressive 12-of-17 from the field to lead the Rebels. Troy McCoy led the Delta Jammers with a game-high 25 points, while Darnell McCullogh scored 15 points and pulled down a game-high 10 boards.
UPCOMING TICKET PROMOTIONS
On Nov. 25 vs. Cal State Northridge, all kids 12-and-under receive free admission for balcony seats. On Dec. 18 vs. Alaska-Anchorage balcony seats are again 2-for-1 with a canned-food item. UNLV is participating once again in Toys for Tots. On Dec. 22 vs. Pepperdine admission is free when fans donate a toy at the gate.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets as well as individual game tickets are available for the 2000-01 season. Individual game tickets are priced at $15, $12, and $10 for balcony level. Plaza tickets, which are priced at $25, go on sale 24 hours prior to each game. Las Vegas Showdown tickets are priced differently at $22 for the balcony and $28 for the plaza. Runnin' Rebel tickets may be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center box office, all tickets.com locations and on the internet at www.unlvrebels.com. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more. For all ticket information, call 895-UNLV.
UNLV ON THE WEB
The three-year-old UNLV athletics web site www.unlvrebels.com was re-launched this past May with an updated look and additional features to best serve fans and media interested in the Rebels. Originally launched in Nov. 1997, unlvrebels.com has steadily expanded in both content and usership but now boasts a new graphic design that elevates it to among the leaders in the industry. Designed for use by alumni, students, fans and media, the Rebels' home on the internet features in-depth, updated information 24 hours a day. The site features rosters, records, historical information and biographical sketches of players and coaches in addition to any and all results since the website first premiered.
BILL BAYNO LUNCHEONS
UNLV Sports Marketing luncheons featuring Bill Bayno will be held at the Si Redd Room in the Thomas & Mack Center. Media interested in attending should RSVP to UNLV SID Andy Grossman at (702) 895-3995. The remaining luncheons are scheduled for Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and Mar. 5. All luncheons begin at noon. For more information, call 895-UNLV.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews with UNLV men's basketball players and coaches may be arranged through SID Andy Grossman. Requests for interviews must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling the UNLV sports information department at (702) 895-3995.
MEDIA TEAMLINK AND INFO CONNECTION
UNLV's release, statistics and latest box score are all available on the internet through www.mediateamlink.com. Media members may view documents on the internet or have the information e-mailed to them the moment it is updated. The service is free to all accredited members of the media. The same information is available on Info Connection and may be obtained by calling (770) 558-6000 from a fax machine. Media members without a PIN should call (770) 399-0096 to obtain one. The MWC's passcode is 922#. The Runnin' Rebel release code is 1906, the stats code is 1908 and the previous game box code is 1909.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
The 2000-01 Mountain West Conference Basketball Championship will be played Thursday-Saturday, March 8-10, at the Thomas & Mack Center. All eight teams will compete in the tournament with the champion receiving the MWC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This is the second year that the MWC Tournament will be played in the building and the fifth straight conference tournament to be played at the T&M (The WAC held its championship at the T&M from 1997-99).
LAST SEASON - INAUGURAL MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
UNLV compiled an overall record of 23-8 last season during the Mountain West Conference's inaugural season. The Runnin' Rebels were 10-4 in conference play and were the MWC co-champion with Utah. UNLV won the inaugural conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center with wins over San Diego State, Wyoming and BYU. UNLV was awarded with an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where it fell to Tulsa in the first round, 89-62. It marked the second time in the past three years that UNLV made the NCAA Tournament and won the conference tournament. (The Rebels won the WAC Tournament and made the big dance in 1998) UNLV won 20 games for the third time in the last four years and qualified for postseason for the fourth straight year. UNLV also won the conference championship in some form for the third straight year. UNLV won the 1998 WAC Tournament, was the 1999 WAC Mountain Division Regular Season Co-Champs and was the 2000 Mountain West regular season co-champs and the MWC Tournament champions.
WITH HONORS
When the 1999-00 season was over, UNLV had plenty of hardware to go around. Head Coach Bill Bayno won the Coach of the Year award along with Air Force's Reggie Minton. Kaspars Kambala was named first-team All-Mountain West, Mark Dickel was second-team, Trevor Diggs and Dalron Johnson were named to the all-newcomer team and Johnson was named Freshman of the Year along with Air Force's Tom Bellairs. Along with becoming the Mountain West Conference's first tournament champion, UNLV had three players named to the all-tournament team: Mark Dickel (MVP), Kaspars Kambala and Dalron Johnson.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Last year Kaspars Kambala captured the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week award three times, the most by any player in the league. Mark Dickel won the award twice.
20 WINS
UNLV notched its third 20-win season under head coach Bill Bayno over the last four seasons in 1999-00 (23-8). It also marked the 27th 20-win season in the 42 years of UNLV basketball. The 23 victories is the most in Bayno's five years as head coach and the most since the 1991-92 team was 26-2.
