Unlike last year, UNLV now has its own identity

Rebels at Air Force

When: Saturday, 6:35 p.m.

Where: Chine Arena, 6:35 p.m.

TV: KFBT, Channel 6

Radio: KXNT, 840 AM

It may have been one of the most important moments in the Bill Bayno Era. And those who experienced it won't soon forget it.

Last year at this time, UNLV was a struggling basketball team, trying to keep above the .500 mark. The team had lost three of its last four. And little did the Rebels know it, but they were about to lose their best player, Keon Clark, for the rest of the season.

Even though UNLV was facing Air Force, there wasn't a whole lot of confidence flowing through the team, which was 10-10 going into the game a year ago today.

But it was on that night this program grew up. Clark was imposing, as he was wont to be. But he fouled out down the stretch, leaving the team devoid of leadership.

Little did anyone know what would take place in the next few moments.

Mark Dickel hit a big layup. Greedy Daniels made a key defensive stop. And Kevin Simmons grabbed a loose ball, got fouled with a second to go and calmly drained the ensuing two free throws as UNLV left Clune Arena with a 59-57 win.

Clark never played another game at UNLV, having tested positive for marijuana. He was suspended indefinitely and left the program a couple of weeks later. In his place as the team's leader stepped Simmons, who had little problem accepting such an important role.

Facing the stark reality that things would have to change dramatically if they were going to make something of what had been a disappointing season, the Rebels began playing unselfish basketball. And they started winning games. Ten of their next 12 in fact, riding the crest of the wave all the way to the NCAA Tournament in Hartford, Conn., and finishing 20-13.

So here it is a year later. UNLV is back at the Academy to face Air Force. Only this time, the Rebels are not a struggling ballclub in search of an identity.

This is a team that is in sync, playing hard and sitting atop the WAC Mountain Division at 6-1 (13-7 overall) heading into the second half of league play, winners of nine of its last 10.

Was there a lesson learned from that night a year ago? The players who experienced it say absolutely.

"That started us in the right direction," said Simmons, who scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win. "We got together after that game and the lesson we learned was to never doubt what it takes to win."

Dickel said he remembered the struggles he and the team were going through before that cold, foggy night last February.

"I remember how frustrated everyone was," he said. "I knew we had a good team. It just took us so long for us to come together.

"Sometimes, it's just one thing, like Kev hitting those free throws, to get the team going."

Guard Brian Keefe: "I think the lesson we learned is that you have to work hard every day and work together to be successful. When we lost Keon, that was a big part of our team. But everyone stuck together and I think that lesson has carried over to this year."

Simmons sees it that way, too.

"I think this team realized it a lot earlier what it takes to win," he said. "Last year's team waited too long to figure it out."

Coach Bill Bayno sees a similarity to what this year's team has accomplished over the first half of the WAC campaign to last year's second half of the conference season.

"We've talked about the challenge of the second half," he said. "Last year, we were the ones chasing Utah and New Mexico. This year, we're the ones with the target on our backs, so we have to be ready every night.

"I think this team understands the day-to-day, practice-to-practice, game-to-game philosophy. We've had pretty good intensity this week in practice."

The players say to settle for what got them to the top in the first half would be a monumental mistake.

"We have to work even harder in practice," Keefe said. "We know teams are gunning for us and we're going to get their best shot. But the guys want to win and they're doing whatever it takes."

archive