UNLV aims to build momentum

The wake-up call has been dialed. So if anyone expects UNLV to suffer a letdown tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center against Wyoming, the players say "forget it."

Then again, they promised there wouldn't be a letdown before meeting Southern Methodist a week ago before the Rebels, then unbeaten in the WAC, came out flat and wound up losing 72-62.

There were a lot of shocked and angry guys in red after that one. And while they bounced back two days later to beat Texas Christian in overtime, the thoughts from the SMU loss still linger.

Now, the goal is to rebuild the momentum against the Cowboys tonight and Colorado State on Saturday.

After that, it's three straight road games and five of the last seven away from the Mack, so getting back on a roll is a factor heading into the weekend.

"These two might be bigger than the two we just played on the road," senior co-captain Kevin Simmons said. "That loss reminded us that we can't overlook anyone and that you can't take no days off."

Simmons still is disappointed the team suffered a letdown in the first place. But when asked if maybe it was a blessing of sorts, Simmons said, "Yeah, maybe.

"I mean, it's a game we shouldn't have lost. But I think it helped get us refocused."

Coach Bill Bayno also used the popular '90s buzzword in talking about his team's preparation to wind up the first half of UNLV's final WAC season.

"We're focusing in practice," he said. "When our intensity is there (in practice), it carries over to the games. We've had good practices this week."

That includes suspended freshman forward Chris Richardson, who will not dress tonight against Wyoming after Bayno suspended him for violating team policy.

"It's day by day by day," Bayno said of Richardson's status. "He's practiced hard the past couple of days. And if he keeps it going, he'll be fine."

The players say the suspension has not been a distraction.

"I spoke to him and told him it's a waiting game," Simmons said of his conversation with Richardson. "Chris knew he messed up. But he came back working harder."

Center Kaspars Kambala, who did a little penance himself earlier this season for violating team policy, said the team supports Richardson.

"It's a tough situation when you're a freshman and you don't get to play right away," Kambala said. "I went through a little of that myself at times last year.

"It can be frustrating, but you can't let it get to you. But Chris is handling it. He'll be OK."

Kambala said he's looking to build upon his career-best 29-point effort against TCU, even though he will be facing a formidable challenge in the vastly improved Ugo Udezue, Wyoming's 6-8 sophomore center.

"He's a pretty good player," Kambala said of Udezue, who is averaging just under 18 points. "I've got to stay low and try and deny him catching the ball."

As for the attention he figures to receive when UNLV is in possession, Kambala said it'll be a chance to use his his ever-improving passing skills to add to his assist total.

"I'll be ready," he said of the double-team tactics coach Steve McClain figures to use against him. "I've already got more assists (10) than I did all of last year (5), so I know I'm doing a lot better with my passing."

The other thing UNLV can build from off the TCU win is its defense, especially in transition. The Cowboys are averaging 82.3 points and they're going to try to push the tempo at every opportunity. So the emphasis has been on getting back defensively and not allowing easy buckets.

"Our transition defense is going to be the key," Bayno said. "We have to make sure we're back and not let them run on us."

Hoop du jour It was a dream game for UNLV recruit Jason Kapono last Friday as the senior from Artesia (Calif.) High School scored a career-high 52 points in a win over Glenn, breaking Ed O'Bannon's school record of 50. "I really don't shoot the ball that much," Kapono told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. "I just seemed to be making every shot." UNLV remains in the hunt for the 6-8 Kapono, as does Utah, though word out of Southern California is UCLA is back in the picture. ... Remember Javares Anderson, the JC transfer from Florida who failed to qualify academically to play at UNLV? Anderson landed on his feet at Tuskegee University in Alabama and is averaging 13.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, has 41 blocked shots and is shooting 68 percent from the field playing 29 minutes a night for the 8-5 Golden Tigers. ... Senior Brian Keefe has overcome his bout with the flu and is feeling fine. He'll start tonight at the off-guard spot. His backup, Desmond Herod, had his first assists as a collegian when he had four against TC

U. It took Herod 14 games to dish one to his teammates.

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