Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV’s Keshon Gilbert suspended for MWC tourney opener

UNLV Rebels Take on Wyoming Cowboys

Steve Marcus

UNLV Rebels guard Keshon Gilbert (10) celebrates after scoring a three point basket during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Wyoming Cowboys in Las Vegas Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

The UNLV basketball team was already facing an uphill battle this week, having to win four games in four days if they want to make the NCAA Tournament. And that hill became even steeper on Tuesday, when the Mountain West suspended Keshon Gilbert for one game.

Gilbert, a sophomore, was ejected early in UNLV’s win at UNR on Saturday after making contact with an opposing player during a stoppage. The conference reviewed the incident and said Gilbert violated conduct policies, meriting an additional one-game punishment.

Gilbert will have to sit out UNLV’s Wednesday afternoon matchup against Air Force in the play-in round of the Mountain West tournament.

Kruger said Gilbert took the suspension hard.

“It’s something you can’t do,” Kruger said. “We sat down, talked about it, discussed it. Nobody feels worse and like he kind of let his team down than Keshon.”

Gilbert has enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign, starting 29 of 30 games and averaging 11.5 points, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals.

Kruger said senior Jordan McCabe will start at point guard in place of Gilbert. Sophomore Jackie Johnson could also see increased minutes with Gilbert out, and walk-on guard Cam Burist will be at the ready, as he was called on to play 11 minutes after Gilbert was ejected on Saturday.

McCabe has started one game this season and otherwise served as a key piece off the bench, posting 5.4 points and 1.8 assists in 18.3 minutes.

He thinks UNLV has enough firepower to weather Gilbert’s suspension.

“We’ve got plenty of weapons, no matter what,” McCabe said. “We’ll be good, and he’ll be back on Thursday.”

UNLV is coming off perhaps its best win of the season, as the team overcame a late deficit to win at UNR, despite losing Gilbert in the opening minutes. Kruger wants to see that same rallying spirit on Wednesday, with the season on the line against Air Force.

“Hopefully we can have another come-together moment like what happened in Reno,” Kruger said.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.

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