Instant Analysis: UNLV takes significant step forward in development, upsets No. 3 Arizona

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014 | 9:40 p.m.

If this is the basketball program Dave Rice is building at UNLV, results like tonight could become a common occurrence. Pretty impressive win, Rebels.

When Rice flirted with leaving UNLV in the offseason for a lucrative offer from South Florida, some were lining up to help him pack. They questioned his in-game coaching ability and whether he could get the Rebels back in the national spotlight.

While it was just one game, tonight shows the potential Rice and his players have. They beat third-ranked Arizona 71-67 for the second-most significant win in Rice’s four-year tenure, validating his efforts in rebuilding the program.

Sure, UNLV still isn’t an NCAA Tournament team, and they are far from a finished product. But the potential is there — and not just the potential to be good. This group of players, underclassmen who were highly sought after recruits, took a significant step in their advancement. If they stay together a few years, a big if in this era of players leaving for the pros, they could be great.

UNLV frequently used a lineup of four freshmen and a sophomore. While it’s a talented bunch, something reaffirmed today, they are still a work in progress. Arizona has built a program UNLV would love to mirror. Yes, even after tonight.

The talent disparity was obvious: Arizona was bigger and stronger and it played with confidence, even when UNLV had them on the ropes.

But, to UNLV’s credit, they came to play. Finally.

Arizona coach Sean Miller was fuming at halftime when he told CBS the Rebels were manhandling his team. He said UNLV had the better team and was going to win because “we stink.”

UNLV might not have had the better team, but the Rebels wanted the game more. It played harder and it didn’t back down. The result was the best performance of the season. It’s a step in the right direction and reason to be optimistic moving forward.

Here are more observations from the game.

Keep attacking: When the Rebels pushed the ball up the court in transition, it created scoring opportunities at the rim and open attempts on the perimeter. The Rebels were scoring points and playing with confidence. When they were forced to run their halfcourt offense, there was no tempo and few open looks at the basket. Against Utah last Saturday, when the Rebels scored less than 50 points, they were also stuck in the trap of trying to score in the halfcourt. That’s not how this team is going to win games. The Runnin’ Rebels need to run. They need to play with pace. And is it just me, or do the Rebels seem more efficient offensively with Pat McCaw at point guard and Cody Doolin on the bench?

Christian Wood came to play Wood is believed to be an NBA prospect. Until tonight, I would have never pegged the 6-foot-11 power forward as a pro. At least not in the NBA. His mistakes were too many and he frequently settled for the outside shot instead of attacking the rim. He also had the tendency to be lazy. Tonight, he attacked the rim to show the potential others have raved about. He led UNLV with 24 points on 10 of 17 shooting, using his long reach near the basket to create scoring opportunities. You could easily argue he was the best player on the court, which says a lot considering Arizona’s roster is loaded with guys who will be getting paid handsomely to play next season. Just think how good Wood can be if tonight becomes the norm and not the exception.

Viva Las Vegas See what happens when you show up? The Rebels finally gave the home crowd at the Thomas & Mack something to cheer about. And, finally, there were enough supporters in attendance to make a difference. So, where’s everyone been all season? UNLV used the energy from the season-best 15,387 crowd to do what seemed unthinkable of beating the nation’s third-ranked team. Fans stormed the court in celebration, singing the fight song and “Viva Las Vegas” and feeling good about the scarlet and gray. For one night they got what they’ve longed for, a winning and relevant team. Enjoy it. See you Saturday for Southern Utah.

Look at the stat sheet: This game was partially won with effort, namely in rebounding. UNLV outrebounded Arizona 46-33. Wood led the way with 10 rebounds and Goodluck Okonoboh had nine. ... Rashad Vaughn, the McDonald’s All-American freshman, was as good as advertised in scoring 21 points. ... Fellow freshman Patrick McCaw was solid again with 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists. ... UNLV was still bad from the free-throw line in making 15 of 24 attempts. ... Each team was whistled for 20 fouls, including Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson fouling out with about eight minutes to play.

Up next: Southern Utah’s visit Saturday to the Thomas & Mack Center will be a welcome change of pace, giving the Rebels a break from their stretch of three games against top-15 ranked opponents in 16 days. It’s the toughest sequence of games in program history, according to UNLV sports information. Southern Utah will be one of the easiest games on the schedule, giving the Rebels a chance to gain confidence ahead of the Mountain West opener New Year’s Eve at Wyoming. The Rebels Jan. 4 will face another respected national opponent when they travel to Kansas.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21