 | | René Rougeau participated in a live online chat on Friday, August 29 at UNLVRebels.com |
UNLV senior René Rougeau participated in a live online chat with fans on Friday, Aug. 29 at UNLVRebels.com. Rougeau, a former walk-on who earned a starting spot in the lineup and, later, a scholarship, earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors this past season. Rougeau played in all 35 games last year as a junior and started 27. He has been the spark the Runnin' Rebels have needed on the court the past two years and has become known for flying all over the floor while helping the team to back-to-back MWC Tournament championships and wins in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. He scored in double figures in 14 games last season and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in five contests. He scored 9.0 ppg and led the team in rebounding with an average of 6.2 rpg. He also is a star on the defensive end, swiping a team-high 2.1 balls per game, which was second in the MWC. He also blocked over a shot a game last year. A big part of the UNLV program's return to the national scene, fans found out more about what it has been like for Rougeau to go from walk-on to starter to scholarship athlete during the chat. Transcript below... |
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 |  | UNLV Moderator: Hey Rebel fans, sitting here with René. He heads to class with Wink at 2:30 p.m. Let's get started. |
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| Lou - Ocean Springs,Mississippi: Rene, As a former student and lifelong UNLV fan I would just like to Thank You and the rest of the team as well as coach K for bringing our program back to the national spotlight where it truly belongs. Reeeeeeeeebels |
 | | René Rougeau: First of all, thank you for the support. It's an honor to represent the Rebels. They have a great history of basketball. Vegas has definitely been good to me. Could not have picked a better school to go to. |
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| James (Las Vegas): Rene, First off, congratulations on what has been a great college career & thanks for helping put UNLV back on the national map. How much did the trip to down-under do for the chemistry and bonding of the players? |
 | | René Rougeau: Thank you. Those 10 days out there really brought us together as a family - the coaches and the players. Playing those six games helped us get a feel for each other even more for the upcoming year. I had a lot of fun just being in a different country for once and seeing how other people live. The different sites that we saw as a team were a lot of fun and helped us learn about the history of Australia. |
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| JD ( Las Vegas): Rene, When you were thrown is as a starter last year it seemed like something clicked. The whole game slowed down for you. Can you comment on a specific time where for you the game just slowed down and became a lot easier? What game out of conference are you looking forward to the most BESIDES the UNR game? Lastly I know there isn't one Rebel fan that doesn't love and respect how hard you hustle and how much heart you show each and every day.... On behalf of every UNLV fan thank you for the 4 years and lets go out with a bang this last one........ |
| | René Rougeau: Appreciate the love from all of the Rebel fans. You know I love you guys. Once Coach Kruger granted me the starting position, from that day on I knew I had a lot of responsibility. With that responsibility I just try to help the team with anything and everything I can do. Regarding opponents, really looking forward to the Arizona game. Hopefully we sell out! And really looking forward to the Louisville game on New Year's Eve. That is a big one for us. But right now, I can't wait until Nov. 15 vs. USD. Can we please Pack the Mack? |
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| Cesc: Are you gonna be Plastic Man II this season? |
| | René Rougeau: I am told that the original Plastic Man is Stacey Augmon. So in that case, I would definitely hope to follow in his footsteps. Definitely admire his game, especially while he was at UNLV. That's probably one of the main guys who has influenced me. It's an honor for you to have called me that. |
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| Josh (las vegas): What's up Rene? I think your story has been very insprirational in what it means for basketball and life. If there was any advice you would give to a young athlete, what would it be? |
| | René Rougeau: My advice to the young athlete would be to work as hard as possible and give it your all everyday. From a basketball standpoint, wherever you are playing at (even at the park) you should always be working on improving your game. When I was young my father would make me watch a lot of basketball in order to learn the game even more. Finding a friend or teammate to workout with is always important. Most importantly, having passion for whatever sport you play and, of course, having faith. I look to God for help all the time. |
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| marvin (North Las Vegas): First I like to say great job last season. With all the new player in the front court with size do you think your role on the team will change? |
| | René Rougeau: With the size added to our roster, Coach has let me move over to my natural position in order to help the team even more. Now that I am on the wing, I am able to help the other guards out with my height along with helping the big guys out as well. Having played in the post last year will hopefully give me an advantage over opponents this year. |
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| Devon: You're such a great all-around player, the type every great team needs to be successful. Are there specific things you do to practice the intangibles like stealing, blocking, passing, etc, or have those just been natural talents of yours? |
| | René Rougeau: First off, thanks for all of the positive feedback everyone. But the minute I start believing all of it, I will lose my edge. And that WILL NOT happen. As far as natural talent, just watching a lot of basketball helps. For example, a lot of people watch the games for the highlights. I find myself watching everything that is going on on the court - all ten guys. Whether it's playing defense, rebounding or even the moves that the players use - how they attack. Just want to be a student of the game. As for practice, just shooting and dribbling drills, of course, but also my strength coach, Jason Kabo (have to give him a shout out), helps with my strength and conditioning. I feel the reason I am able to be all over the court is because of him with the drills that he puts me through day in and day out - we definitely have to lift a lot! |
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| Geoff and Family (Las Vegas): Rene, From watching you in practice before Austrailia, it appears you've really extended your shooting range. What was your regimen over the summer to accomplish that? And is that something the coaching staff wanted you to develop? Thanks, Geoff UNLV Alumnus class of 2004 In Section 113 EVERY GAME!!! |
| | René Rougeau: Coach and I sat down and had a good conversation about that. We discussed me moving over to the wing and the things he would like me to do. Of course, with me playing the wing now, I have to work on shooting, but he made me feel a little more comfortable about not making that the No. 1 part of my game. With that in mind, I definitely have been working on my shooting, whether it's mid-range or three-pointer, I have a lot more confidence than I did last year. |
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| Latrell LaRoche(Lower Brule, SD): What are the biggest differences between highschool and college basketball? How have you had to adjust to those changes and what advice can you give younger basketball players wanting to become UNLV Runnin' Rebels? |
| | René Rougeau: Good question, Latrell. There are so many differences I don't know where to start. When I was a freshman here, I definitely was overwhelmed by the size, strength and speed of the guys at the college level. Through the years, I have adjusted by working on my game more and more each year. Just playing more with my teammates, I developed into a Division I basketball player. So to high schoolers, my best advice is hit the weight room earlier and often. |
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| Roy Elia-Walla Walla, Wash.: Could you discuss your progression in the Rebels' program - from being a walk-on to being a key element in UNLV's success the last two seasons? |
| | René Rougeau: Roy, how are you? Scott Hoffman and I have been involved since day one of Coach Kruger's era. Through the years, we've come a long way. The last three years the team chemistry has been tremendous. I think it has been that way because of the leadership of the older guys along with the younger guys following. Regarding my progression in the Rebel program, if you would have told me I would be where I am today - a senior leader - I would not have believed it. However, as a freshman, Coach had a plan for me. He asked me to redshirt to help myself and the team in the future. In that conversation, he said the last two years would be big for me. I wasn't too sure of myself, but I knew if I stuck with it, he was such a good coach he would help me progress. Seems as though his plan worked out for the both of us. |
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| | UNLV Moderator: We have René for a few more minutes before he has to head to class. Sorry he won't be able to get to all of the questions, but he's trying his best. |
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| mike (jersey): hey nice season last year why do you always have your mouth opened? |
| | René Rougeau: Haha. That is funny you ask that because I get made fun of about that all of the time by friends and family. Put it this way, if you had a mouthpiece in for an entire game, wouldn't you struggle breathing? LOL |
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| Brady (Las Vegas): Rene, I've enjoyed wathing you grow and develop on the court more than any other Rebel I can remember. How have others helped you grow into the person/player you are today? As a parent I'd like your insight into helping others reach their potential. Thanks. |
| | René Rougeau: The people who I hang out with definitely help build my character. Therefore, I always try to associate myself with good people. My family and friends have always been supportive of me through the years, even when I wasn't playing. I think my dad has been my biggest fan, coach and critic ever since I started playing. So my advice to parents is to influence and help your kids and, of course, always stay positive (of course, some parents can go crazy - I've seen it through the years). The coaching staff has helped me to become the player I am today as well. Working out with Coach Hill, Coach Henson and Coach Grensing has helped me tremendously. |
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| jeff: How is Santee and Massamba looking? With a lot of more help on the inside I'm excited fdor the season to start. Go Rebels |
| | René Rougeau: Good opportunity to talk about all of the new guys. First off, the big guys - Brice, Darris and Beas will definitely help us this year. They all have a unique and different game from one another that will compliment our team very well. As for the guards and forwards - Todd, DeShawn and Oscar are all showing very good potential. Overall, this has been a good recruiting class for us. Talent-wise and chemistry-wise. |
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| James (las vegas): Rene how is this years team different from last years team? What are your expectations for this upcoming season? |
| | René Rougeau: The size is the biggest difference from last year. This upcoming season, we hope to go further in the NCAA Tournament than last year. However, we have a lot to accomplish before that. Of course, we want that MWC title. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We have a tough non-conference schedule to worry about. |
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| TPrice Las Vegas: Rene,It's been great to watch you grow as a player since your freshman year,My question is with all the high profile recruits that are now coming to the program do you feel like this could hinder the teams intense focas that they have had the past couple of years? |
| | René Rougeau: That's a great question. First off, if not for our success the last two years, we would not have received the high recruits. Secondly, they know what is expected of them when they come to school. As seniors, we are responsible for keeping all of the guys focused. We have to lead by example, therefore the younger guys will follow in our footsteps whether it's dealing with basketball, school or off-campus life. If the young guys continue to stay focused, I can see them being way better than we are. That definitely makes me want to work harder for this year! |
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| | René Rougeau: I appreciate the questions and apologize for not answering all of them, but it is time for me and Wink to get to class now. Remember, the Rebelution has begun! |
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