Nov. 12, 2004

LAS VEGAS -

UNLV game notes vs. Minnesota in WBCA/BTI Classic
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Sunday's matchup between the UNLV Lady Rebels and the No. 14 Minnesota Golden Golphers isn't quite what was expected just six weeks ago, as both teams have suffered injuries to several key players who will miss the season opener game for both teams in the first game of the WBCA/BTI Classic in Seattle at Bank of America Arena at 1 pm.

For UNLV, senior forward and preseason All-America candidate Sherry McCracklin (12.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg in 2003-04) went down first with an Achillies injury on Oct. 4, while the next week All-American Minnesota center Janel McCarville was lost for a month with a broken hand. Both teams have since lost another key player each, as UNLV's Nikki Hitchens (started all 34 games in 2003-04) went down with an MCL, while Katie Alsdurf, a transfer from Marquette, is out for Minnesota with a foot injury.

UNLV still has several weapons to bring to the court, and could use a 10-12 player rotation this season. The top offensive team in the Mountain West last season, they look to continue that in 2004-05 as they return the league's leading scorer (senior forward RanDee Henry), as well as junior Sheena Moore (16.7 ppg in 2003-04), though Moore is moving to the point guard spot this season.

The last time UNLV faced Minnesota in a preseason tournament, they posted a 75-61 win in the championship game of the Golden Gopher Classic in Regina Miller's first year as head coach at UNLV. This is also the first time in Miller's seven years at UNLV the Lady Rebels have opened the season against a ranked team.

South Carolina and host Washington will play in the second game of the doubleheader on Sunday, while the Lady Rebels will then face South Carolina on Monday at 5 pm.