Dec. 4, 2001

LAS VEGAS - UNLV will travel to Birmingham, Ala., to play the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Saturday, December 8. The game, which is part of the Arby's Hardwood Classic (a one-day classic, not a tournament), will be held at the Jefferson Civic Center and has a scheduled tipoff of 11:05 a.m. PST. The game will be televised live on KFBT Gold 33/Cox Cable 6 in Las Vegas with Doug Bell and Jordy Hultberg providing the commentary. The game may be heard live in Las Vegas on KBAD 920 AM (ESPN Radio) and worldwide on the internet at UNLVRebels.com with Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick calling the action. The other game of the classic will be No. 8 Virginia vs. Auburn at 1:35 p.m. PST.

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Sat., Dec. 8UNLV at UAB11:05 a.m. PST

Game at Jefferson Civic Center, Birmingham, Ala., Game will be televised live on KFBT Gold 33/Cox Cable 6 in Las Vegas, Game may be heard live on KBAD 920 AM (ESPN Radio) in Las Vegas and worldwide on the internet at UNLVRebels.com

THE RUNNIN' REBELS

UNLV (3-2) opened the year with two wins at home over Wisconsin (74-69) and Nicholls State (97-54), then lost two on the road to Cincinnati (74-61) and Washington (77-64). The Runnin' Rebels hosted Georgia Southern on Saturday night and won (79-64) to improve their record to 3-2 on the year. The Runnin' Rebels are under new leadership in 2001-02 as Charlie Spoonhour is in his first year running the Rebel program. UNLV returns nine players and welcomes seven new faces to this year's roster. Junior forward Dalron Johnson is leading the team in scoring with 18.0 ppg and rebounding with 6.8 rpg. Two other Rebels are in double figures in scoring average (Lou Kelly: 14.2, Marcus Banks: 11.8). Last year, the squad finished with an overall record of 16-13 and finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference with a 7-7 mark.

THE UAB BLAZERS

UAB (2-4) opened the season with a win over Eastern Michigan (79-66), a loss to Miami (81-79), a loss to LaSalle (63-58), a loss to Richmond (60-59), a win over Bradley (82-50) and a loss to Murray State (74-69). The Blazers will host Alcorn State tonight (Dec. 4) before facing UNLV. UAB was 17-14 overall during 2000-01 and finished fourth in Conference USA's National Division with an 8-8 mark. Head Coach Murry Bartow is in his sixth year at the school with a career record of 92-70 (.568). The Blazers return seven letterwinners and three starters off last year's team.

SERIES HISTORY

UNLV leads the all-time series with UAB 2-0. UNLV won the last meeting 109-68 in Vancouver, B.C., on Dec. 1, 1990. The first meeting was a 73-72 UNLV win on Dec. 28, 1985 in Las Vegas.

VS. CONFERENCE USA

UNLV is 20-18 all-time vs. Conference USA teams. The last time UNLV defeated a Conference USA team was on Jan. 4, 1998 at Tulane 77-61. The last time UNLV lost to a Conference USA team was earlier this year on Nov. 24 at Cincinnati (74-61). UNLV has lost its last four games against Conference USA teams: Cincinnati (74-61) on Nov. 24, 2001, Cincinnati (90-72) on Dec. 16, 2000, Louisville (86-85 in OT) on Nov. 21, 2000, and Cincinnati (106-66) on Jan. 2, 2000.

RUNNIN' REBEL BASKETBALL HOLIDAY TICKET SPECIAL

UNLV is offering a discounted ticket package for some of its men's basketball home games. The package, being dubbed the "Runnin' Rebel Basketball Holiday Ticket Special," includes the Runnin' Rebels' seven Mountain West Conference home games along with the Las Vegas Showdown on Dec. 22. The price of the special is 50% off season ticket prices, starting as low as $88. The Runnin' Rebel Basketball Holiday Ticket Special is on sale now and is available by calling (702) 895-UNLV.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

UNLV's game vs. Nevada, Reno on Dec. 20 is U.S. Marines Toys For Tots Night. Fans who bring an unwrapped toy to the Thomas & Mack Center will receive one free balcony ticket for the Dec. 20 game. Toys are being accepted at the Thomas & Mack Center now.

UP NEXT

After UAB, UNLV's next game will be at Loyola Marymount on Dec. 15 at 7:05 p.m. PST. The game will be televised live by ESPN Regional at UNLV.

DIVISION I DEBUTS

Two Runnin' Rebels played their first NCAA Division I college basketball game in the season opener vs. Wisconsin. Marcus Banks scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed 6 rebounds, had 4 steals, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot and 5 turnovers in 38 minutes. Jamal Holden scored 2 points and had 5 rebounds in 11 minutes. Against Nicholls State, three more Rebels made their debut. Ernest Turner scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting including 3-of-5 3-pointers and had 3 assists in 17 minutes. Louis Amundson had 8 rebounds, 4 points, 2 assists and 1 steal in 13 minutes. Lamar Bigby scored 6 points with 3 rebounds and 1 blocked shot in 12 minutes.

CAREER-HIGH SCORING

Five Runnin' Rebels have new career highs in scoring. Lou Kelly had 19 points vs. Georgia Southern and at Cincinnati to eclipse his earlier career high of 17 points vs. Wisconsin in this season's opener. Before that, his career high was 16 at Colorado State on Feb. 3, 2001. Chris Richardson's 15 points vs. Wisconsin eclipsed his old career high of 12 vs. Chicago State on Jan. 6, 2001. Dalron Johnson's 29 points vs. Nicholls State eclipsed his old career high of 24 at BYU on Jan. 15, 2001. Omari Pearson's 12 points vs. Georgia Southern eclipsed his old career high of 11 vs. Chaminade on Nov. 22, 2000. Vince Booker's 12 points vs. Georgia Southern eclipsed his old career high of 11 vs. Pepperdine on Dec. 22, 2000.

CAREER-HIGH REBOUNDING

Three Runnin' Rebel players have pulled down new career highs in rebounds. Omari Pearson's 8 rebounds vs. Nicholls State was 5 more than his previous career high of 3 vs. Chaminade on Nov. 22, 2000. Lou Kelly's 7 rebounds at Cincinnati was 1 better than his previous career high of 6 at Georgetown on Jan. 25, 2001. Vince Booker's 4 rebounds vs. Georgia Southern tied his career high in rebounds, which he set three other times.

SPREADING THE WEALTH

Against Wisconsin, four Rebels scored in double figures (M. Banks 21, D. Johnson 18, Kelly 17, Richardson 15). In addition, out of the 8 Runnin' Rebels who saw playing time, 6 recorded at least 1 assist.

Against Nicholls State, 13 Rebel players saw action and only one didn't put points on the board. Three players scored in double figures (Dalron Johnson 29, Ernest Turner 12, Marcus Banks 11). In addition, 10 of the 13 players recorded at least one assist.

At Cincinnati, 8 of the 12 players that saw action scored at least 3 points and 8 players had at least 1 rebound.

At Washington, all nine players who saw action pulled down at least one rebound.

Against Georgia Southern, four Rebels scored in double figures (Kelly 19, M. Banks 13, Pearson 12, Booker 12). Additionally, 7 of the 10 players who played recorded at least 1 assist.

SHOOTING FOR THE FG'S

In its first two games, UNLV shot a combined 58.5 percent from the field. As a team after five games, UNLV is shooting 47.5 percent from the field, while limiting its opponents to 40.8 percent.

ON THE MARK

UNLV has three players shooting 50 percent or better from the field (minimum of 12 made fg's). They are Omari Pearson (12-of-18: .667), Chris Richardson (19-of-35: .543) and Marcus Banks (22-of44: .500).

FROM THE STRIPE

Dalron Johnson is shooting free throws at 90.9 percent (10-of-11). For his career, he has a free throw shooting percentage of 76.2.

EACH GAME, AT LEAST A BLOCK

So far this season, Dalron Johnson, who is No. 6 on UNLV's all-time blocked shot list, has blocked at least one shot in each game. Dating back to last season, he has a streak of eight games blocking at least one shot. Last year he blocked at least one shot in 22 of his 27 games and during his freshman year he blocked at least one shot in 21 of 31 games, so for his career he has blocked a shot in 48 of 63 games.

NICE FIRST HALF

It would be difficult to imagine Dalron Johnson having a better first half than he did against Nicholls State. Johnson was 8-of-9 from the field, 3-of-3 from 3-point range, had 19 points, 3 rebounds and an assist, a block and a turnover in 13 minutes of action. He ended up scoring a career-high 29 points for the game on 13-of-16 shooting including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He also tallied 5 rebounds in a total of 19 minutes.

PLAYING BIGGER

UNLV has outrebounded its opponents 204-177 so far this season. Against Nicholls State the margin was 55-23 and against Wisconsin it was 35-32. UNLV lost the rebounding game at Cincinnati 40-30 and at Washington 45-38, but picked it back up vs. Georgia Southern (46-37).

MARGIN OF VICTORY

UNLV's 43-point victory over Nicholls State was its largest margin of victory since defeating Sacred Heart by 47, 103-56, on Nov. 14, 1998.

UNLV'S INDIVIDUALS RANK IN THE MWC

As of Dec. 2, UNLV has individuals in the top 10 in various statistical categories in the Mountain West Conference. Scoring: Dalron Johnson, 5th, 18.0, Lou Kelly, T8th, 14.2. Rebounding: Johnson, 7th, 6.8, Chris Richardson, T8th, 6.8. Assists: Kelly, 6th, 3.40, Marcus Banks, T9th, 3.00. Free Throw Pct.: Johnson, T2nd, .909. Steals: Vince Booker, 1st, 2.00, Banks, T8th, 1.40, Johnson, T8th, 1.40. 3-point FG made: Kelly, 8th, 1.60. Blocked Shots: Johnson, 1st, 2.00. Assist/TO Ratio: Kelly, 6th, 1.31, Banks, 10th, 0.68. Offensive Rebounds: Johnson, 7th, 2.60. Defensive Rebounds: Richardson, 6th, 4.40, Johnson, 7th, 4.20

UNLV ONLY MWC TEAM TO HAVE WINNING RECORD VS. EACH TEAM

The Runnin' Rebels are the only Mountain West Conference team with a better than .500 record all-time against the other seven members of the conference. Air Force (12-1), BYU (6-5), Colorado State (13-5), New Mexico (11-8), San Diego State (21-5), Utah (10-9), Wyoming (13-8).

UNLV BOASTS BEST HOME RECORD IN MWC

Out of the eight Mountain West schools, UNLV has the best all-time winning percentage on its home court. UNLV is 245-42 (.854) at the Thomas & Mack Center. Utah is second at .814 (385-88).

IN OVERTIME

UNLV is 35-17 (.673) all-time in overtime games. Last season, UNLV was 1-2 in overtime games. Additionally, UNLV is 28-14 in single overtime games, 5-3 in double overtime and 2-0 in triple overtime. The Runnin' Rebels have a record of 6-3 in overtime games at the Thomas & Mack Center.

MOVIN' UP THE CHART

With 111 blocked shots for his career, Dalron Johnson is No. 6 on the all-time Runnin' Rebel blocked shot list. Stacey Augmon is No. 5 with 128.

UNLV IS 33-5 IN LAST 38 GAMES AT THE MACK'

The Runnin' Rebels are in their 19th season in the 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV has posted an all-time record of 245-42 (.854) in the arena since it opened in 1983. This year, the Runnin' Rebels are 3-0 at home. They were 12-3 at home in 2000-01 and were 18-2 during the 1999-00 season, so UNLV has won 33 of its last 38 games at home. UNLV has been edged at home by four points or less 17 times and the 42 losses has been by an average of 7.9 points (330 total points).

FOR OPENERS

After defeating Wisconsin in this season's opener, UNLV is 34-10 all-time in season openers and is 26-4 when opening the season at home. The Rebels have never lost at the T&M in a season opener as they are 11-0. UNLV has won its season opener each of the last seven seasons.

OPENING WITH WISCONSIN - PART I

This season the UNLV men's basketball team opened with Wisconsin at home and next year the UNLV football team also opens with Wisconsin at home.

RUNNIN' THE REBELS - CHARLIE SPOONHOUR

UNLV has a new head coach this year. Charlie Spoonhour became the 12th head coach in Runnin' Rebel history on March 29. He came to UNLV after spending two years out of coaching, but he didn't stray too far away from the game as he served in the media as an analyst on college basketball broadcasts. Prior to that he was the head coach at Saint Louis University for seven years. Before SLU, Spoonhour was head coach at Southwest Missouri State University for nine seasons. He has a 17-year Division I head coaching record of 322-173 (.651) and has led 11 teams to the postseason, including eight to the NCAA Touranment.

THE REST OF THE STAFF

UNLV also has three new assistant coaches. They are Deane Martin, Jay Spoonhour and Derek Thomas. UNLV has retained Dave Rice, who will serve this season as Director of Basketball Operations. Rice is in his ninth year on staff. Martin was most recently the associate head coach at Tennessee-Martin. Spoonhour (Charlie's son) was most recently head coach at Wabash Valley JC in Mt. Carmel, Ill., where he led the team to the junior college national championship with a record of 36-1 and was named the National Junior College Coach of the Year. Thomas was most recently with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

44 YEARS OF BASKETBALL

The 2001-02 year marks the 44th season of Runnin' Rebel basketball at UNLV. Since the program's inception in 1958-59, the Runnin' Rebels have posted an all-time record of 915-353 (.722). In 1969-70, UNLV made the move to Division I and has since posted a record of 728-249 (.745) while competing at that level. In addition, UNLV has an all-time mark of 880-331 (.727) against Division I competition.

"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 480 games played. During that span, the Runnin' Rebels have made 3,157-of-8,732 (.362) 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 497. 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 533 of the 544 games in which the rule was used. In the 544 total games, the Runnin' Rebels have shot .363 from this distance while sinking 3,351-of-9,237 attempts. UNLV holds the NCAA record for most consecutive games scoring a 3-point field goal. Prior to the beginning of the 2001-02 season, Vanderbilt was No. 2 on the list, three behind UNLV.

RUNNIN' REBELS ON THE AIR

All Runnin' Rebel games are carried live on KBAD 920 AM (ESPN Radio) in Las Vegas and on the internet at UNLVRebels.com. Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick are in their 10th season calling Runnin' Rebel basketball. Broadcasts will start one-half hour prior to the beginning of each game with the pregame show and the postgame show will feature a live interview with head coach Charlie Spoonhour followed by fan call-ins. The broadcasts are also available inside the Thomas & Mack Center by tuning to 99.5 FM. The fan call-in number is (702) 876-8585.

UNLV SPORTS NETWORK

For the first time Runnin' Rebel games are being heard on a regional network of stations. ESPN Regional at UNLV and Lotus Broadcasting have teamed up with PV Radio and KZBZ Radio to help create the first-ever UNLV Sports Network, a seven station grouping that will reach across the state and into parts of Arizona, California and Utah. The stations are in Las Vegas (Network Flagship - 920 AM), Pahrump, Nev. (95.9 FM), Amargosa Valley, Nev. (96.7 FM), Beatty, Nev. (93.5 FM), Scotty's Junction, Nev. (94.3 FM), Death Valley, Calif. (91.1 FM) and Pioche, Nev. (98.9 FM - Lincoln County and most of Southern Utah).

COACH'S SHOWS

"Game Time with UNLV Hoops" television show is shown Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on Las Vegas One (cable channels 1 and 39) and on KLAS TV-8 at 11:30 p.m. The show is hosted by Chris Maathuis and features head coach Charlie Spoonhour. (no show is scheduled for 12/30)

"The Charlie Spoonhour Radio Show" may be heard live Tuesdays from the ESPN Zone at New York-New York Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The show airs from 7-8 p.m. on KBAD 920 AM (ESPN Radio) in Las Vegas and may be heard on the internet at UNLVRebels.com on an archived basis. (no show is scheduled for 12/25, 1/1, 1/15 and 2/5) It is hosted by Ken Korach and Glen Gondrezick and features head coach Charlie Spoonhour.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual game balcony tickets are priced at $15 and $12 with the exception of the Las Vegas Showdown on Dec. 22. Tickets for that event on the balcony level are $22. Individual game seats on the plaza level for men's basketball will go on sale only 24 hours prior to each game. Those tickets are $25 for all games except the Las Vegas Showdown on Dec. 22. Tickets for that event on the plaza level are $28. Also on sale are Family Four Packs, which include 4 balcony level tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 popcorns, and 4 sodas, all for $56. Family Four Packs are available for all games except the Las Vegas Showdown. Family Four Packs are only available for purchase at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office. Individual game tickets may be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, at all Tickets.com locations, by calling Tickets.com at (888) 464-2468, and by logging onto UNLVRebels.com. For more ticket information, please call (702) 895-UNLV.

LUNCHEONS

UNLV Sports Marketing luncheons featuring Charlie Spoonhour will be held at the Si Redd Room at the Thomas & Mack Center. The first luncheon was held on Nov. 15 and the remaining are scheduled for Dec. 18, Jan. 23, Feb. 14 and March 5. Luncheons begin at noon and are $10 for the public. Media interested in attending should RSVP to Andy Grossman. For more information, please call (702) 895-UNLV.

REBELS ON TV

UNLV is scheduled to appear on television at least 18 times this season. The Runnin' Rebels are scheduled to appear on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+plus, ABC, SportsWest and ESPN Regional at UNLV.

MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

The 2001-02 Mountain West Conference Basketball Championship will be played Thursday-Saturday, March 7-9, 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 third year that the MWC Tournament will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center and the sixth straight year a conference tournament will be played at the TMC (The WAC held its championship at the TMC from 1997-99).

GEORGIA SOUTHERN IN REVIEW (DEC. 1)

Lou Kelly scored a game-high and a career-high tying 19 points as UNLV defeated Georgia Southern 79-64. The Rebels went on a 12-4 run to end the first half and led 39-31 at the break. UNLV started the second half with a 20-8 run to build the lead to 59-39 with 11:02 left in the game. The Rebels scored 10 straight at one point in the run, with Kelly and Vince Booker hitting consecutive 3-pointers. Kelly also tallied a game-high and career-high 6 assists. Marcus Banks added 13 points for the Runnin' Rebels and Omari Pearson and Booker each scored 12 (both career-highs). Frank Bennett and Julius Jenkins each had 14 points to lead Georgia Southern. UNLV held the Eagles to 34 percent shooting from the field.

AT WASHINGTON IN REVIEW (NOV. 28)

Washington's Curtis Allen scored a career-high 21points and dished out eight assists in the Huskies' 77-64 victory over UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels held a 50-47 lead with 12:10 remaining in the game, but Washington went on a 22-6 run over the next nine minutes to take control. Dalron Johnson scored 23 for the Runnin' Rebels, including nine of their first 11 points of the second half, but did not score in the final 14:45 of the game. Chris Richardson added 11 for UNLV. Washington's Doug Wrenn also had 21 points, while Grant Leep added 10. It was a see-saw game with neither team holding a lead bigger than three points over the first 15 minutes. There were 15 lead changes during that stretch. Washington led 36-33 at halftime.

AT CINCINNATI IN REVIEW (NOV. 24)

Steve Logan scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half as Cincinnati pulled away to a 74-61 victory over UNLV. Logan missed his first five shots and was only 1-of-6 in the first half but Cincinnati led 33-23 at halftime. In the second half, Logan made his first five attempts, including three 3-pointers, as the Bearcats surged ahead by 21 points. UNLV never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way. UC's Donald Little scored 14 points and had 8 rebounds. Two other UC players scored in double figures. Lou Kelly led UNLV with a career-high 19 points and also grabbed a career-high 7 rebounds. Dalron Johnson added 12 points for the Runnin' Rebels.

NICHOLLS STATE IN REVIEW (NOV. 20)

UNLV, led by Dalron Johnson's career-high 29 points, used a 25-0 run to defeat Nicholls State 97-54. NSU was leading 6-2 when the Runnin' Rebels took control of the game with the run. The Colonels were never able to get closer than 14 points after that, cutting the lead to 30-16 at one point. UNLV led 48-26 at the half. Johnson, who led all scorers, was 13-of-16 from the floor, including three 3-pointers. Ernest Turner had 12 points and Marcus Banks had 11 and 5 assists as UNLV hit 60.3 percent of its field goals, including 47.6 percent from 3-point range.

WISCONSIN IN REVIEW (NOV. 17)

In his Division I debut, Marcus Banks had 21 points as UNLV defeated Wisconsin 74-69 to give new head coach Charlie Spoonhour a victory in the season opener for both teams. Dalron Johnson added 18 points, Lou Kelly had 17 and Chris Richardson added 15 (career-high) for the Runnin' Rebels, who shot 56.4 percent from the field (31-of-55). The Runnin' Rebels scored the first nine points of the game and held a double-digit lead through most of the first half. Wisconsin trailed 36-29 at the half, and cut the lead to four, 43-39, with 16:02 to play. But the Badgers missed their next nine shots as the Rebels built the lead to 51-41 with 9:45 remaining. Wisconsin used a fast break and two 3-pointers to cut a 12-point UNLV lead to 59-55 with 3:41 remaining. Johnson's two free throws put the Rebels up 61-55, but the Badgers converted another layup to get back within four. Banks hit a 3-pointer with 2:33 left remaining to put the Rebels up 64-57. The Badgers never got closer than five points the rest of the way.

LAST YEAR

UNLV recorded an overall record of 16-13 and finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference with a 7-7 mark in 2000-01. The Runnin' Rebels were 12-3 at the Thomas & Mack Center, which included a streak of nine straight wins from Dec. 18 through Jan. 8. The team was led by two-time All-Mountain West Conference first-team selection Kaspars Kambala, who averaged 16.9 ppg and 9.1 rpg on the year. UNLV had two other players who averaged in double figures in scoring (Trevor Diggs: 14.1 and Dalron Johnson: 12.3). Head Coach Bill Bayno was reassigned on Dec. 12 and assistant Max Good was named head coach for the remainder of the season. Because of NCAA sanctions, the Runnin' Rebels were not eligible for postseason play, which included the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

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 692#. The Runnin' Rebel release code is 1906, the stats code is 1908 and the previous game box code is 1909.