Slow start: Runnin’ Rebels struggling to pick up the pace

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 | 2 a.m.

T.J. Otzelberger oversaw one of the nation's most efficient offenses during his three years at South Dakota State, merging an up-tempo style with a modern emphasis on 3-point shooting to build the Jackrabbits into a Summit League juggernaut.

When he took the UNLV job in the offseason, the plan was to implement a similar crowd-pleasing style that would eventually make the Runnin' Rebels a winner — and a hot ticket.

Through six games, however, UNLV has actually gone backward in terms of tempo. After slogging their way through a 64-57 home loss to Texas State on Wednesday, the Rebels are statistically one of the slowest teams in the nation.

According to KenPom.com's adjusted tempo rating, UNLV ranks No. 322 this season. If that holds, it would be the Rebels' slowest team since KenPom began tracking the stat in 2002 (the 2008-09 Rebels ranked No. 223). In terms of possessions per game, the Rebels are No. 298. When it comes to transition rate, they are No. 331.

Through six games, UNLV has recorded just 35 fast-break points. Twelve of those points came in the season opener against Purdue Fort Wayne. In the last two contests — home games against Abilene Christian and Texas State — the Rebels scored six total fast-break points.

After being compelled to play at Texas State's preferred pace for 40 long minutes, Otzelberger said it was the Bobcats' commitment to the offensive glass that slowed the UNLV attack down to a crawl.

"I think for us, we need to get stops and then we play with pace," Otzelberger said. "Two things were happening: One, we stopped getting stops; now we're taking the ball out of the net and we're walking it up, so our pace is not the same. And then the other thing is [Texas State] made a concerted effort to go to the offensive boards, and I think we were a bit fatigued when we were able to get the rebound, and we ended up walking it up."

During the offseason the Rebels were fully committed to pushing the ball and getting into the open court, but according to Synergy Sports data, the Rebels have only had 41 transition possessions so far this season.

Guards Amauri Hardy and Elijah Mitrou-Long are tied for most field-goal attempts in transition with nine apiece. Big man Mbacke Diong and guard Jonah Antonio have attempted four each. Donnie Tillman has taken three shots in the open court and Bryce Hamilton has tried two.

Hardy, the team's leading scorer, said the team is still determined to force the action by creating fast-break opportunities.

"I would definitely say it's something that's being emphasized," Hardy said. "Sometimes I feel like we do get away from that. It's something we've got to continually focus on. Going into the next game, we're going to continually look to push the ball. But if we don't get stops, we're going to have to play in the halfcourt with other teams, and I don't think that's something we really want to do right now."

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.