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Grensing To Chat Live Thursday

 UNLV men's basketball assistant coach Greg Grensing participated in a Live Chat session on Thursday, Feb. 12.
UNLV men's basketball assistant coach Greg Grensing participated in a Live Chat session on Thursday, Feb. 12.

Grensing is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for UNLV. He joined the staff in its second year here at UNLV after he spent 11 seasons on the Creighton University men's basketball coaching staff, including the 2004-05 season as the associate head coach.

During his time at Creighton, Grensing worked for head coach Dana Altman, which was a partnership that dated back to 1986-87 when they started three seasons of work as assistant coaches under UNLV head coach Lon Kruger at Kansas State University. When Kruger left KSU, Grensing remained in Manhatten, Kan., as a member of Altman's staff and was with him for 15 years at KSU and Creighton.

Grensing started his collegiate playing career as a guard at Independence (Kan.) Community College, helping the Pirates to a 62-6 record and the 1977 national title as the team's sixth man. Following the 1977 season, Grensing transferred to Southwest Texas State and led the Bobcats to a 49-13 record in two seasons, including a third-place finish in the 1979 NAIA national tournament.

The chat transcript below:

UNLV Moderator: Hey Rebel fans! Sitting here with Coach Grensing... We have a lot of questions coming in so let's get started.
Greg (Greeley, CO): Coach Grensing - It seems that the offense has been very inconsistent this year. Is this team just not a particularly good shooting team, or do they have difficulty executing the offense and getting good looks? BTW your buddy BJ Hill is a neighbor of mine. Small world!
Greg Grensing: We haven't been shooting the ball well, in part because of execution, decision-making and the inability to produce easy shots. We've seen growth in the last few weeks and expect to shoot the ball more consistently the remainder of the season. I'll give Coach Hill your best.
Michelle (Las Vegas): You have known Coach Kruger for a long time and have coached with him for many years... What is something that would surprise people about Kruger?
Greg Grensing: Coach Kruger has a great sense of humor and is an excellent card player.
Jay (Los Angeles, CA): Hi Coach. I was wondering how many players you guys have departing and incoming next season. I know you guys have Anthony Marshall and Justin Hawkins coming in next year who will probably make a splash, but is there anybody else? Also, what advice would you give to someone who would be trying to be a walk-on next year? Anything in particular you guys are looking for?
Greg Grensing: We have four seniors graduating that are on scholarship. We have signed three young men in the early signing period and with Beas' departure, we have one more scholarship available for the spring signing day. Chace Stanback is currently not on scholarship but will be in the fall of 2009.
Nate (Las Vegas): You have been coaching for a long time and have been able to teach alot of guys different things over the years, I'm sure. What is something that you have learned from some of your players?
Greg Grensing: I think what I have learned over the years is that it is not what you say, but what they hear. Some players respond better to verbal instruction while others respond better to visual aids and teaching.
Dan (Las Vegas): Hey Coach. What are some things the staff has done this year to motivate the players? It seems to be an up and down hill climb sometimes with this years team.
Greg Grensing: I think one of the main differences between this year's team and last year's team is the expectations and how they have handled being the hunted as opposed to the hunter. It is easier to play the role of the underdog and approach each game with something to prove as opposed to getting every opponents' best shot and knowing that each game counts the same in the conference standings.
Kathy (Kansas): It has been great following your team over the past few years. I have a question about all the different places that you have coached. Coaching has taken you to different places in the country. What kind of effect does that have on your family? And for all the coaches families for that matter? I know there are a lot of perks with the job, but it has to be hard to think in a few years you may be someplace different?
Greg Grensing: Generally speaking, I have been very fortunate to spend the majority of my time at three different institutions the past 23 years. My family has been exposed to some tremendous people at each stop and while change can be challenging, it also can be a wonderful experience. My family has been embraced by the UNLV basketball community and the greater Las Vegas area, and we love living here.
Jacob (NV): Can you compare Coach Kruger when you first starting working with him to working with him now? I think its awesome that you guys have such a long relationship. Good luck the rest of this season.
Greg Grensing: 25-plus years ago, Coach may have been visably more competitive, but his approach has always been the same and it's his consistency in the ways that he treats everyone associated with UNLV basketball that is reflected by the caliber of play. Winning is still important to him but it's the process of getting better that he emphasizes daily.
amber (arizona): Can you explain some of your day to day roles with the team? I have always been curious how a coaching staff of 4 or 5 splits up the responsibilities. Thanks, Coach.
Greg Grensing: The primary responsibilities of all of the assistant coaches is two-fold. The players we have on campus and their well-being on and off the floor. And secondly, recruiting. Our motivation is based in relationships and developing those on a personal level is the long term benefit of our job description. We are fortunate to have an impact on a number of young men's lives, and all of us see that as our reward.
nick (las vegas): What kind of strategy goes behind using the smaller line-up to start? What kinds of things do you think you get out of using those 5 than a different five? Good luck the rest of this season.
Greg Grensing: The "small" line-up allows us greater flexibility in creating match-up advantages both offensively and defensively. By putting players in a position where they can be successful, it allows our team to be more productive and hopefully win more games.
jim - henderson: I read where you coached with Lon Kruger during his first years as a head coach. How has he changed? Has he?
Greg Grensing: Coach really has not changed in the 25-plus years I have known him. He still places basketball in its proper prospective and creates an atmosphere around our program that is a very positive one. One of the greatest assests Coach seems to have is giving his players confidence and getting them to buy into what we are trying to do as a team. When players take ownership in what you are doing, you have a great chance of being successful.
Walt (Las Vegas): How has the recruiting game changed since you first starting coaching?
Greg Grensing: In so many ways, it is hard to even know where to begin to start. It seems like each year, we are given by the NCAA more rules that reduce the amount of actual contact and evaluation that we are allowed to do. Again, the basis of what we try to do here is about establishing relationships. The rules almost seem to be working against that. The trend today with young men committing earlier and earlier has led to more disgruntled players once they reach Division I basketball. The young men reflect our society and the desire to be instantly gratified. As we all know, that is not the way life works. Therefore, more young men transfer looking for that gratification.
Todd (Las Vegas): Hey Coach Grensing! I was wondering, Coach Kruger is usually pretty calm on the sideline and rarely yells at players or officials. What would you say your sideline mentality is? Are you calm and cool, or do you get pretty heated sometimes? Either way works for me because I think the Rebels need some fire under them at times. Thanks!
Greg Grensing: Coach Kruger is calm and poised during games, especially the more heated they become. I think I've learned to be a little more calm, but all of us are extremely competitive and while we may not display that to the audience, trust me, the players know that we have a high standard we expect them to play up to. And when they don't, they are made aware of it.
Ron from Omaha: We miss you here in Omaha. Has your recruiting responsibilities changed from Creighton to Omaha?
Greg Grensing: I enjoyed my 11 years at Creighton very much and have a lot of friends and colleagues that I hold particularly close to my heart. I still follow the program extremely closely and wish nothing but the best for the Bluejays. My responsibilities at UNLV are very similar to what they were at Creighton.
david (henderson): I???ve been very impressed with Joe Darger???s ability to be a chamelion as of late. It was said that this season he was going back to the 4 because that???s his natural position, but with the inside game being somewhat ineffective, he has gone back to playing a lot of 5 now. Can you share a little about Joe prepares? In practice, does he prepare as a big man or does he just have to be flexible given the opponent? Go Rebels!
Greg Grensing: Joe prepares offensively more as a perimeter player and defensively more as a post defender. Joe's willingness to embrace the role of a five-man both this season and last may very well be the single-most significant strategical advantage we have. As a player, Joe is willing to sacrifice his body for the good of the team and do so with only one thought in mind - that it will help us win games. His teammates have a great deal of respect for Joe because of that attitude.
Santiago (Las Vegas): Coach, the freshman have been up and down this year. However, they???ve been a huge part of this this team. Can you quickly talk about their mental progress as well as their progress on the court and in your system? Thank you.
Greg Grensing: I think it is common for most freshmen to go through a transition and the length of that transition will vary based upon the individual and the preparation they have had leading up to UNLV. The expectations, the demands and the competition all factor into the performance of the individual. Most freshmen have to make an adjustment at the most primary level, and that is playing hard every day and every possession. I think our freshmen are doing a great job. Oscar has come along quickly at a very demanding position and DeShawn has made great strides in the past three weeks of practice which has resulted in additional playing time. Long term, Brice is going to be a good player at UNLV. He is just playing behind two more experienced players.
UNLV Moderator: Thank you for all of your questions. Coach tried to get to as many as possible. The Runnin' Rebels are back for their second game this week when they host Colorado State this Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. Go Rebels!
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