Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Answers for 20 questions about UNLV basketball

UNLV Loses to San Diego State

L.E. Baskow

UNLV head coach Dave Rice shouts orders to his players as San Diego State takes the lead during their Mountain West Conference tournament game Thursday, March, 12, 2015.

When UNLV basketball lost in the Mountain West quarterfinals and decided to not pursue further postseason play, the main question was whether coach Dave Rice would return for a fifth season. That was answered March 16 when Athletic Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy announced Rice, who received an extension last March, would remain in Las Vegas.

But that wasn’t the only question facing the program after a seventh-place finish in the Mountain West Conference. As we look ahead to the 2015-16 season, here are 20 questions people might have, asked by Sports Editor Ray Brewer and answered by staff writer Taylor Bern:

#1

How close was Rice to losing his job?

Tina Kunzer-Murphy

Tina Kunzer-Murphy

As close as he could be without actually getting fired.

Influential boosters had been looking into gathering money for Rice’s $1.2 million buyout weeks before the end of the season, and many wanted to pull the trigger as soon as the Rebels lost to San Diego State in the Mountain West quarterfinals. However, Rice has a lot of supporters, too, and they eventually won.

Why? Kunzer-Murphy had given a new contract and an extension to football coach Bobby Hauck and Rice, respectively, in each of their last offseasons, and Hauck already had been sent packing. Doing that twice within a year would look bad. There also was concern that players or committed recruits would head elsewhere.

#2

Was former UCLA coach Ben Howland, who led the Bruins to three Final Four appearances and coached Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, in line to become the next UNLV coach?

His was the name that kept coming up. Another was Dayton coach Archie Miller. But Howland, who was fired in 2013 after 10 seasons at UCLA, seemed the more likely choice.

There’s no doubt Howland will get a job this offseason. So if there was doubt about Rice’s coaching abilities — which there clearly was — it would have made sense to act quickly if the Rebels had wanted Howland. Instead, UNLV did the only fair thing and gave Rice at least one more season.

#3

What does UNLV need to accomplish next season for Rice to keep his job?

Specific demands haven’t surfaced yet, but at minimum, competing for the Mountain West regular-season title and returning to the NCAA Tournament likely would be required. If at this time next year the Rebels again are in the middle of the pack and looking at the CBI as their only postseason option, it would be hard to imagine Rice getting a sixth season.

#4

What will be different next year?

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The UNLV basketball team's Jerome Seagears #20 catches some air while making a late pass during a scrimmage on Saturday, November 1, 2014.

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The UNLV basketball team's Ben Carter #13 goes after a rebound over Dantley Walker #30 during the scarlet and gray exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday, October 16, 2014.

UNLV’s core group of freshmen plus redshirts Jerome Seagears, a senior guard from Rutgers, and Ben Carter, a junior forward from Oregon and Bishop Gorman High, have been practicing together for a year. Already, you could see improvements in each one this season. Add in another solid recruiting class, and UNLV should have multiple lineup options with a good mix of youth and experience without any depth issues.

That being said, next season could bring more of the same. If you believe Rice was the main problem, his getting a fifth season and another player who’s likely heading out the door getting a disproportionate amount of the blame (think Anthony Bennett, then Bryce Dejean-Jones and now Christian Wood) isn’t going to convince you significant change is coming.

Most of UNLV’s league losses this year followed the same script: get a halftime lead, quickly blow it, fight to the end and watch the other team make game-winning plays. Some would say all those close losses are bound to balance out, but don’t forget UNLV started the year by winning close games against Morehead State, Sam Houston State and Portland.

#5

Where would Rice have landed had he been fired?

Definitely not UNR. He likely would have been an assistant somewhere on the West Coast, maybe in the WCC, or taken a year off before jumping back into it.

#6

The community was divided about whether to keep Rice. Will that hurt attendance?

Probably not any more than it already has. When Kunzer-Murphy took over as AD in 2013, there were many departures from UNLV athletics, including the marketing department staff. Since then, there hasn’t been the same engagement with the community. Combine that with an overall and home record that has been trending downward, and it’s no surprise you have a lot of empty seats at the Thomas & Mack Center.

#7

Critics say Rice can’t motivate players. Yet, when he nearly left last offseason for South Florida and this month when he was almost fired, players took to social media to show their support. What does that say about Rice?

The players wouldn’t have come to UNLV if they weren’t comfortable with the situation, so it makes sense they wouldn’t want it to change. Rice always has had the public support of his team.

#8

In five words, what is Rice’s task next season?

No more excuses. Just win.

#9

What changes can we expect in his coaching style?

This season, he started putting himself out on the court much more and, after much effort, picked up his first technical foul at New Mexico. Personnel will dictate this to a degree, but Rice showed more willingness to mix up defenses and mix in some full-court press, which helps keep opponents guessing and doesn’t allow them to get comfortable. More of that would be good.

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UNLV forward Christian Wood (5) takes the ball from UNR forward AJ West (3) after a missed opportunity during their Mountain West Basketball Championships game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday, March, 11, 2015.

#10

Sophomore forward Christian Wood and freshman guard Rashad Vaughn have decisions to make. Do you expect them to test the professional waters or return to UNLV?

My official guesses: Wood leaves, Vaughn returns, redshirt freshman guard Dantley Walker transfers.

#11

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UNLV guard Rashad Vaughn (1) gets off a shot while being fouled by New Mexico forward Joe Furstinger (23) during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday, January 21, 2015.

UNLV has seen several players transfer out of the program during Rice’s four years. How has that hurt the program?

As of last week, 10 Rebels had transferred and three had declared with eligibility remaining in Rice’s four seasons.

Many of those are understandable. The transfer that hurt most, Savon Goodman to Arizona State, was the one in which the player most forced UNLV’s hand. The biggest negative impact was junior Khem Birch going pro. He would have been a huge piece for the Rebels and instead has spent the season putting up good numbers in the NBA D-League.

#12

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UNLV guard Dantley Walker (30) shares a laugh with teammate UNLV forward Christian Wood (5) during their basketball game versus SJS at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, January 10, 2015. L.E. Baskow.

You can’t knock Dave Rice as a recruiter. Stephen Zimmerman, a 7-foot center from Bishop Gorman and a McDonald’s All-American, is believed to be favoring UNLV. How is Rice able to attract blue-chip recruits without great results?

It started with the Rebels’ backyard. Getting top players from Findlay Prep (Bennett, Wood, Vaughn) and now possibly Bishop Gorman helps build a foundation that’s enticing for other highly rated players. Rice has done a good job building coaching staffs with strong recruiters, from Justin Hutson and Heath Schroyer to Todd Simon and Ryan Miller, and UNLV’s facilities are some of the best on the West Coast and arguably in the country.

#13

What are UNLV’s offseason roster needs?

Point guard is crucial, and it will be interesting to see how that develops from Seagears, Pat McCaw, Daquan Cook and incoming freshman Jalen Poyser.

Even if Zimmerman commits, the Rebels could use another frontcourt player, whether that’s Findlay Prep forward Justin Jackson reclassifying to 2015 or someone else.

#14

What went wrong this season?

Defense, particularly in the second half, was a consistent issue, and the roster didn’t leave a lot of wiggle room. When injuries became an issue, there wasn’t much depth to lean on.

Still, the Rebels were close down the stretch in nearly every game since New Year’s Eve. Poor offensive screening and defensive rebounding became highlighted in those moments.

#15

UNLV led 16 straight games at halftime yet went just 8-8 in those contests. What happened?

Several of those leads were close, but even the more sizable ones disappeared almost instantly. That’s primarily coaching and not making the necessary adjustments. Depth certainly was a factor, but there are plenty of teams that used a short bench all season — Wyoming is an example — and were much better at closing games.

#16

Were there any bright spots this season?

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The UNLV basketball team guard Patrick McCaw (2) gets up high to defend against Boise State guard Derrick Marks (2) during their game Wednesday, February, 18. 2015.

The biggest positive is one of the things Rice often is criticized for: player development. McCaw played multiple positions and got better at each as his role increased. Goodluck Okonoboh added offensive post moves to go with his defensive prowess. Jordan Cornish hit big shots game after game. Dwayne Morgan played the final three weeks the way many thought he would from the start of the season.

Those are reasons to get excited, along with Cody Doolin almost single-handedly taking down Portland and stretches of really fun basketball in the first halves at Kansas and Colorado State.

#17

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UNLV forward Goodluck Okonoboh (11) dunks the ball with authority over San Diego State during their Mountain West Men's Championship game on Thursday, March, 12, 2015.

The highlight of the year was beating Arizona, arguably the only quality win. What defeat hurt the most?

At home against UNR. There were struggles earlier in the season, but that was the one that signaled real trouble.

#18

Assuming Wood leaves, Vaughn stays and Zimmerman commits, what’s the starting lineup next season?

Seagears, Vaughn, Morgan, Zimmerman, Okonoboh, with McCaw, Carter and Poyser as the first guys off the bench. Lots of options, though, so I’m not confident in that guess. Personally, I’d make sure McCaw is in there.

#19

How does the schedule look for next year?

The highlight is a November trip to the Maui Invitational with a field that includes Kansas, UCLA and Indiana.

Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson also has said the league is all but done signing a deal to renew a series with the Missouri Valley Conference, something league coaches are not exactly thrilled about.

#20

Is UNLV a preseason top-25 team next year? Does it make the NCAA Tournament?

I wouldn’t put the Rebels in the top 25, but their talent level will be enough for some to put them up there.

I’m more interested in whether UNLV will be able to compete for a Mountain West championship. Rice’s highest finish was third in each of his first three seasons.

I’ll also say the will Rebels return to the NCAA Tournament. Rice’s job seems to depend on it.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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