Look for UNLV's Daniels to take control at the point this season

It's hard to accept an incomplete in a class you never took. So that primer Greedy Daniels had in Point Guard 101 last season was just that -- a taste of what his basketball major will be.

After spending the majority of his freshman season at the shooting guard and struggling with the transition from high school to college ball, Daniels has wiped the slate clean. And coach Bill Bayno said fans need to judge the 6-foot sophomore from New Orleans on what he does this year, not on the past.

The UNLV faithful will get a first glimpse at how much Daniels has improved at 7 tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center, as the team holds its annual Scarlet and Gray scrimmage as part of the Rebel Fan Jam.

"To say I played him at point guard last year isn't accurate," Bayno said. "I never really got to coach him at the point last year. But we sat down after the season and had a heart-to-heart talk and he has responded."

Bayno took Daniels to Tahiti during the summer as part of a traveling all-star team which ran UNLV's offense. Daniels got a chance to work closely alongside the coach and he came away with a much better understanding of what he needs to do at the college level.

"I don't need to be the man here (at UNLV)," he said. "We have plenty of guys here who are the man. I need to get them the ball.

"I didn't come here to play the two (guard). But Tahiti was a big trip for me. Coach Bayno talked me through everything and he and I are on the same page. I understand what I need to do to play the position at this level."

If Daniels can cut down on the turnovers, make better decisions, know when to shoot and pick his spots on when to gamble on defense, he will make the successful transition from Cohen High in New Orleans, where he averaged 27 points a game and was one of the nation's most sought-after point guards.

"This is a transition," Daniels said. "It takes time. Last year, I put pressure on myself. This year, my confidence level is much higher."

His maturity level also has grown. Assistant Glynn Cyprien, who has known Daniels since he was a youngster, said that is the biggest difference.

He's learning to accept criticism," Cyprien said. "Billy's been hard on him, but Billy should be hard on him because he's the point guard. But their relationship has grown and that's very important. They understand each other."

And while Bayno wants to develop some structure in Daniels' game, he doesn't want to take away the natural talents that will allow Daniels to become a complete and consistent collegian.

He led the team with 55 steals last year and with UNLV looking to pressure more defensively, Daniels' numbers could go way up. But Bayno said it means learning how to pick his spots, knowing when to gamble and when to lay off.

"He's learning that he doesn't need to try to go for the steal every time," Bayno said. "He's learning that if he goes for the steal and doesn't get it, it creates a mismatch for the other team and we have to recover for him."

If Daniels, who had 91 assists but 77 turnovers last year, will trade the flash and dash for simplicity, it will enhance his growth.

"He's getting better at making the easy plays," Bayno said. "I'll live with the good mistakes -- trying to make a smart play, a simple play."

Daniels said it will be easier to make the simple play because he knows his teammates a lot better. Last year, he would find himself as a shooting guard with one unit and at point guard with another group. He said it was confusing.

"I would try and remember what I needed to do with the different teams," he said. "But now that I know all the guys, I know what to expect. My game's at another level. I'm thinking it more."

And he's willing to split time at the point with junior Mark Dickel. At times last year, Daniels didn't know how to handle it and he appeared unhappy. There were rumors he would transfer.

But after talking to Bayno and having his role clearly defined, he is ready to stay in Las Vegas and contribute.

"He's playing so well right now," Cyprien said. "It's the best I've ever seen him play."

Fan Jam lineup

Tonight's Scarlet and Gray scrimmage will start at approximately 7:45 p.m. Coach Bill Bayno said he wants to see "20 hard minutes." Mark Dickel still is nursing a sprained right ankle and he will be the lone Rebel not to participate.

Admission to the Rebel Fan Jam is free and the first 2,000 fans will receive a free 1998-99 schedule poster. The Lady Rebels also will hold a brief scrimmage and will participate in a 3-point shooting contest.

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