Rebels trying to prepare for UNR like they have recently against ranked teams

By Taylor Bern

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Most of UNLV’s roster can be forgiven for not understanding the depths of tonight’s rivalry game against UNR. For starters, the basketball version rarely brings out the same vitriol as the Battle for the Fremont Cannon, and more importantly only two guys on the roster have ever played the Wolf Pack before.

Because the lineup is built on kids from all across the country, they don’t have an inherent understanding what it means as Las Vegas’ team to play Reno. So they’re taking their cues from the coaches and the stories they’ve heard about UNR’s three-game winning streak in the series to find the right state of mind.

“Especially for fans this is a really big deal,” said senior guard Cody Doolin. “If it’s a big deal to fans, it’s a big deal to us.”

The game tips off at 8 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center and will air on CBS Sports Network.

Rivalry aside, last year’s sweep by UNR (5-8, 1-0) should be plenty of motivation for the Rebels (9-5, 0-1). UNLV led by double digits in both meetings, including 17 in the second half of the regular-season finale at UNR, only to blow the game both times.

Deonte Burton graduated and this is at best a transition year for the Wolf Pack, but they’ve won three straight after losing eight in a row and 6-foot-9 junior AJ West is holding his own on the inside, averaging 11.3 points and nine rebounds per game.

The rebounding battle wasn’t remotely close in the loss at Kansas (45-31), and UNLV coach Dave Rice put most of that on the guards. The guards agreed.

“They’re coming over to block shots and we’re not returning the favor by getting rebounds,” Doolin said.

When Christian Wood or Goodluck Okonoboh rotate over to protect the rim, it doesn’t do nearly as much good unless someone helps out on the weak side to take the opponent who one of the bigs just left. The rotations had been good lately before Sunday, so the hope is that the bad performance will snap the Rebels back into focus in that area.

A bigger question is how the Rebels will come out energy-wise this week at home, when they’ll be double-digit favorites tonight and Saturday against San Jose State after playing several big games as the underdog. It’s easy for young players to get up for ranked opponents when they’re being told they won’t win, but how about the seemingly routine games that are must-wins as far as conference title aspirations are concerned?

“They get up for what are considered big games, but they need to understand that every league game is critically important,” Rice said.

The Mountain West hasn’t been this wide open in a long time. At least three teams could be considered the favorite — Wyoming, Colorado State, San Diego State — and at least three more — UNLV, New Mexico, Utah State — could stake their claim right now.

“A lot of good teams but at the same time a lot of parity,” Rice said.

The Rebels have every intention of being one of those teams competing for the crown two months from now, and getting there means first and foremost taking care of business at home. Going on the road has always been hard in the Mountain West, and entering Tuesday night the home team was 8-2 in league games.

If UNLV is going to turn its aspirations into reality in a very winnable year for the league, tonight needs be a step toward that goal. Preparing for Arizona or Kansas is one thing, but treating UNR the same way requires a different mindset that UNLV is attempting to learn.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.