Rice putting emphasis on versatility, depth for 2015-16 Rebels roster

By Taylor Bern

Friday, May 8, 2015 | 2 a.m.

This isn’t exactly new territory for coach Dave Rice and the UNLV basketball program.

With a lot of the previous season’s production out the door, Rice will rely on a few returning players in expanding roles to coalesce with a highly rated group of newcomers in a style that resembles the fast-paced offense built on a pressure defense the Rebels have been selling for years. Rinse, wash and hopefully not repeat the mistakes of the past, something that Rice emphasizes each offseason.

One of the big lessons Rice took from his fourth season at the helm in 2014-15, which ended with an 18-15 overall record and no postseason for the second straight year, was that he never wants to get caught so short-handed again.

“I certainly don’t want to go to San Jose State with six scholarship guys like we did,” he said.

Injuries happen, and are largely out of anyone’s control, but a deeper roster can help offset the effect they might have. Filling the bench with players capable of stepping in when needed without a big drop-off, or sending waves of those bodies to pressure opponents more often, has been one of UNLV’s offseason emphases.

“Depth is going to be important and we need competition,” Rice said. “I feel so good about the progress our current guys have made. I like the makeup of our roster.”

On Tuesday, transfer guard Ike Nwamu officially became part of the incoming group by signing his scholarship agreement. A 6-foot-5 guard with a lot of athleticism and a career 38.3-percent mark beyond the arc, Nwamu is a grad transfer from Mercer who joins incoming freshmen guard Jalen Poyser and forwards Stephen Zimmerman and Derrick Jones.

That group will get bigger, too, as UNLV still has two available scholarships. Tyrell Bellot-Green, a 6-7 JUCO forward at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, is taking an official visit on campus this weekend, class of 2016 forward Justin Jackson is still considering reclassifying to 2015 and the Rebels are also pursuing several other options, including unsigned class of 2015 forward Jordan Murphy, who was heading to VCU until coach Shaka Smart left for Texas.

Even without any more additions the Rebels have a seemingly loaded rotation. Zimmerman, sophomore Goodluck Okonoboh and junior Ben Carter should anchor the post spots while Jones and sophomore Dwayne Morgan round out the front court.

The back court, with guys like Nwamu, Poyser, senior guard Jerome Seagears and sophomore Jordan Cornish, could be even more crowded. Being multiskilled might be the best way to stand out and sophomore guard Pat McCaw, the top returning scorer,

As a freshman, McCaw played four different positions and transitioned from role player to starter to star throughout the year. Not every player is as equipped to get plugged in to that many holes but it’s clear there’s going to be a high value on flexibility.

“What everybody’s exact role is going to be I don’t know,” Rice said, “but I like that we have a lot of guys who are versatile and can play multiple positions.”

Rice said he envisions multiple players, sometimes even all five on the court depending on the lineup, being able to grab a rebound and push the ball to get the Rebels into their offense. Playmakers without positions, basically.

Whether that comes together as well as the Rebels envision depends largely on the work they continue to put in over the next several months. Rice credited his players for working hard not only on their individual games but also to sell the program on recent visits, even when that might mean less playing time for the players already in the program.

Rice wants a lot more depth, and for the sake of the entire team individuals have bought in.

“We need everybody,” Rice said.

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