Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

REBELS BASKETBALL:

Chace Stanback makes plays in all kinds of ways in UNLV win

TCU vs UNLV

Chace Stanback and Tre'Von Willis combine for 32 points as UNLV moves into third place in the Mountain West Conference standings with a 78-62 win over TCU.

UNLV-TCU Basketball

UNLV guard Tre'Von Willis shoots a jumper over the outstretched arms of the TCU defense Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.  The Rebels won the second straight, 78-62. Launch slideshow »

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The Rebel Room

TCU POSTGAME: Rebels back on the rise

Ryan Greene and Ray Brewer break down yet another blowout win for the suddenly-surging Rebels, who easily dispatched of TCU on Wednesday night, 78-62. UNLV was again well-rounded on the offensive end, hounding on the defensive end and now finds itself in third place in the Mountain West Conference as a result.

Tre'Von Willis needs only one word to describe teammate Chace Stanback when he's at his best: active.

That portrayal certainly fits with Stanback's night in a 78-62 victory against TCU on Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center. Stanback filled the statistics sheet in a number of categories with 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

"I was trying to do everything tonight," Stanback said. "I was pretty successful."

He didn't waste much time. Stanback scored UNLV's first points of the night with a 16-foot jumper and also forced TCU to commit turnovers on consecutive defensive possessions.

The Horned Frogs tallied a total of 21 turnovers against the Rebels and ran an anemic offense. Willis said Stanback was a key for UNLV's defensive prowess.

"He can do a lot of things and when he can, it's a big plus for us," Willis said. "We know he can score the basketball and when he rebounds and defends, we're a tough team to beat."

It's no secret that Stanback's success correlates closely with UNLV's. During the Rebels three-game slide earlier this month, Stanback was in a self-admitted slump.

Stanback, who has averaged 10 points per game on the season, scored only 17 points combined in the losses to New Mexico, San Diego State and Utah. He also committed more turnovers (5) than assists (3) in the stretch.

"In those games, I was kind of passive," Stanback said. "I wasn't shooting the ball real well. But my coaches and teammates instilled some confidence in me."

Stanback said he started to feel better and get his touch back before Saturday's game against Colorado State, when he scored 12 points.

Although Stanback put on an efficient offensive performance in that game, he didn't have a major impact in the other areas. Wednesday was when it all came back together, and Stanback had one of his most well-rounded contests.

"Anything my teammates need me to do, that's what I'm going to do," Stanback said. "I've been saying that all year."

His teammates needed a spark Wednesday. And from finding Oscar Bellfield alone in the corner for an open three-point shot to sneaking up on TCU guard Keion Mitchem for a block, Stanback did it.

As much as UNLV counts on Willis playing well, Stanback is just as important to its success.

"Every club needs a couple guys that need to be clicking to really be at their best," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said. "Certainly, we need Chace and Tre to be that."

The Rebels finish their regular season with two crucial matchups at Air Force and against Wyoming, which they must win to stay in third place in the Mountain West Conference.

Stanback needs to stay active for UNLV's sake.

"As long as I keep attacking and being aggressive, we will be fine," Stanback said.

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