UNLV searching for offense as showdown at New Mexico looms

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 | 2 a.m.

UNLV charged out to a 10-0 start this season and wrapped nonconference play with a sparkling 11-1 record, setting the stage for a possible at-large run to the NCAA Tournament.

The first two games of the Mountain West season have thrown cold water on those hopes — for now, anyway — as back-to-back losses have left the Scarlet and Gray searching for the winning formula that seemed so reliable just a week ago.

It started with a shocking overtime loss at San Jose State on Dec. 28, a game in which UNLV struggled to generate offense late. Then on Saturday, Kevin Kruger’s squad had trouble scoring at all as they shot 36.7% in a 76-67 defeat at the hands of San Diego State.

Kruger said the lackluster offense was more about SDSU’s defense than anything his team did.

“Elite defensively,” Kruger said. “They’ve been elite for as long as I can remember. What they do is they’re just so in sync. They’re so solid. They don’t make mistakes.”

Despite the opponent, the Scarlet and Gray are going to need more production from Keshon Gilbert if they intend on getting back into the Mountain West race. The sophomore guard enjoyed a breakout season early on, but he has been unable to find the range in league play.

Gilbert shot 3-of-13 against San Jose State after joining the team on the road due to holiday travel delays. Against San Diego State, Gilbert was held without a field goal for the first time all season; he missed all four of his attempts from the field and made one free throw while committing six costly turnovers.

With 4:27 remaining in that contest, Kruger pulled Gilbert out of the game. He didn’t return to the court until there were 91 seconds left and the outcome had already been decided.

Kruger said it didn’t constitute a benching, but he acknowledged he was looking for a spark that Gilbert wasn’t providing.

“’Benched’ is kind of a harsh word for somebody who has been so good for us,” Kruger said. “I thought Jordan [McCabe] did a good job when he was out there, and I thought Keshon was maybe pressing a little bit.”

McCabe, a senior point guard, has been a bright spot of late. Despite shooting 4-of-13 over the last two games, he leads the team in offensive rating during that span (113), and UNLV was +5 in his 45 minutes against San Jose State and San Diego State.

Still, the offense is more dynamic when Gilbert is at his best, and senior forward Luis Rodriguez is convinced it won’t take him long to find his groove again.

“We know the type of player he’s been for us this year,” Rodriguez said. “Keshon is going to be fine. He’s a hell of a player, and he works very hard to prepare for each game.”

More accurate shooting from leading scorer E.J. Harkless would also go a long way toward righting the offense. Harkless shot 9-of-22 at SJSU and followed that up with a 6-of-19 showing against SDSU. The senior guard connected on only 3-of-17 from 3-point range in those games.

UNLV will need Harkless, Gilbert and the rest of the rotation to be on top of their game on Saturday, when they travel to take on No. 21 New Mexico. The undefeated Lobos rank 60^th in defensive efficiency.

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