Rebels make a statement with blowout win over New Mexico

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 | 6:33 p.m.

When T.J. Otzelberger took over the UNLV program, the prevailing wisdom was that the Rebels would be ready to contend in Year 2. Well, forget about next year — UNLV basketball has got something going this year, and with each passing game it looks like the 2019-20 campaign might be something special.

The Rebels looked every bit like a Mountain West contender on Saturday as they throttled New Mexico at the Thomas & Mack Center, 99-78. UNLV is now 6-1 in conference play (11-9 overall) and firmly in second place behind only undefeated San Diego State (18-0, 7-0 MWC).

Marvin Coleman was once again the catalyst, as the sophomore magician posted 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. It was the first triple-double recorded by a UNLV player since Mark Dickel in 1999 and further cemented the Foothill product as a galvanizing fan favorite.

Coleman categorized it as a statement win for a still-ascending team.

“It’s just telling the league that we’re here,” Coleman said. “We don’t want to get too high with this one. We still want to stay level-headed. We still have a tough stretch coming up. We’ve got to go up north and play Nevada and we have San Diego State after that. We’re going to take this one and keep it in our bag, but we still have to work.”

While Coleman was stuffing the stat sheet, sophomore guard Bryce Hamilton was stuffing the ball through the basket, repeatedly. Hamilton made 14-of-19 shots from the field and finished with a career-high 35 points in 30 minutes off the bench.

Hamilton started the season slow and found himself in the doghouse during the non-conference season, but over the last six games he has averaged 20.7 points while shooting 61.5% from the field.

Otzelberger said he has coached Hamilton hard and that the young lefty is still on a short leash. But when he’s as hot as he was against New Mexico, Otzelberger is more than willing to let Hamilton run with it.

“Obviously the way Bryce played tonight, when we hit him ahead and advanced it he was tremendous,” Otzelberger said. “It was hard to have him out of the game because he was so impactful.”

New Mexico came into the game reeling, both on and off the court. The Lobos are without starting guard J.J. Caldwell and starting forward Carlton Bragg due to legal issues, and the depleted squad went to Colorado State on Wednesday and got blown out, 105-72. Still, the Lobos got off to a hot start against UNLV and led for most of the first half until Hamilton asserted himself late in the period.

Hamilton canned a turnaround jumper just before the halftime buzzer to give UNLV a 43-40 lead, and New Mexico trailed the rest of the way as the Rebels pushed the tempo and diced UNM’s transition defense. Five UNLV players finished in double figures and the Rebels shot 50.7% as a team.

UNLV led, 78-60, with less than four minutes remaining when Coleman got free in the open court and streaked in for a breakaway layup to give him 11 points and complete his triple-double.

Even on a day when Coleman posted overwhelming statistics, Otzelberger once again pointed to Coleman’s intangibles as his biggest contribution.

“He exudes so much character,” Otzelberger said. “He gives everything he has every single day and that’s what we want in our program, guys with that character and that work ethic and playing with that sense of passion. I know a lot of times in recruiting, people get concerned with how many stars are next to guys’ names and how that helps them win games. To anybody that has that mindset, I’d like them to check how many stars Marvin Coleman had next to his name, and when the last time somebody had a triple-double in a big rivalry win was. I’m pretty sure that doesn’t matter. What he’s got inside for character and heart is what counts.”

UNLV will next head to UNR on Wednesday, then return to the Mack for what could be a huge showdown game with San Diego State on Sunday.

After doing a post-game interview with the courtside broadcast team, Coleman ran off the floor and toward the locker room, stopping outside the tunnel to acknowledge the student section as they chanted his name.

Coleman said he appreciates the love and made a pitch for UNLV fans to keep supporting the team as this seemingly charmed season rolls on.

“It’s great, in my home town especially,” Coleman said. “I love it, but I don’t want to get too high with it. I still have a job to do. I still have to lead my team. And we still want more fans to come, as much people as can pack the Mack. I’m thankful for them tonight. The crowd was rocking and they gave us a lot of energy so I’m thankful for them.”

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