Rebel Nets UNLV Basketball Predictions
UNLV enters the 2001-2002 basketball season with several new faces, most notably head coach Charlie Spoonhour. In Spoonhour's first recruiting season, which was abbreviated due to his late hiring, he signed 6-9 freshman forward Louis Amundson, 6-9 junior center Jamal Holden, and 6-5 junior small forward Lamar Bigby. Spoonhour also preserved the signings of Juco sensation point guard Marcus Banks and highly touted freshman guard Ernest Turner.
The Rebels return guards Jevon Banks, Vince Booker, Lafonte Johnson and Jermaine Lewis. UNLV also added Georgetown transfer Demetrius Hunter to the backcourt, but he must sit out a year before being eligible to play. Jermaine Lewis sustained a torn ligament during summer pick ups and required surgery. Some believe that Lewis will return this season, but do not count on it. Lewis will redshirt this season and play in the 2002-2003 season for the Rebels.
At the forward spot, the returnees include Chris Richardson, Noel Bloom, Lou Kelly, Dalron Johnson, and Omari Pearson.
With the loss of Kaspars Kambala to graduation, UNLV did not find a traditional center to fill the gap. Instead, the Rebels will be undersized both by height and weight. Expect to see Omari Pearson, Jamal Holden, Chris Richardson, Dalron Johnson and even newcomer Louis Amundson to share post duties.
The Rebels return guards Jevon Banks, Vince Booker, Lafonte Johnson and Jermaine Lewis. UNLV also added Georgetown transfer Demetrius Hunter to the backcourt, but he must sit out a year before being eligible to play. Jermaine Lewis sustained a torn ligament during summer pick ups and required surgery. Some believe that Lewis will return this season, but do not count on it. Lewis will redshirt this season and play in the 2002-2003 season for the Rebels.
At the forward spot, the returnees include Chris Richardson, Noel Bloom, Lou Kelly, Dalron Johnson, and Omari Pearson.
With the loss of Kaspars Kambala to graduation, UNLV did not find a traditional center to fill the gap. Instead, the Rebels will be undersized both by height and weight. Expect to see Omari Pearson, Jamal Holden, Chris Richardson, Dalron Johnson and even newcomer Louis Amundson to share post duties.
The most exciting addition to the Rebels will be Las Vegas native Marcus Banks. Banks, who originally signed out of high school with UNLV, played the last two seasons at Dixie junior college. Rebel Net watched Banks more than any other recruit over the past two years.
While he has only proven himself on the lesser JC level, Rebel Net has every reason to believe that Banks will be the best point guard in the conference. While it will take Banks some time to adjust to basketball at the division one level, when he gets there in mid December, watch out. His explosive first step makes defenders look as if they are in quicksand. His mid range jumper is deadly and his three point shot, one of very few weaknesses, is improving daily. Banks can finish at the rim as well as any Rebel point guard in recent memory. Another weakness of Banks is his ability to find open men. We do not expect him to total very many assists unfortunately, but he will be one of those guys that will average around 15 points per game and have games where he scores in the high 20's to mid 30's. He is the real deal.
Banks' defense is solid, though he is prone to foul trouble due to overaggressive play. He is physically strong and he will find himself in foul trouble with the ticky tack calls of the Mountain West Conference officials. It'll be trouble for the Rebels if that does happen, because they are going to need Banks on the floor to be successful. Expect Banks to take home a MWC newcomer award or two.
At the shooting guard there are many candidates to start - Ernest Turner, Lamar Bigby, Vince Booker and even Lou Kelly, though he may be better suited for the small forward spot. Of the other three, Turner has the most talent, but he has been hampered by a severely sprained ankle suffered in early July. Turner is not yet up to speed. Aside from that, inexperience may keep Turner from getting minutes early. Bigby has had an up and down summer and fall, but his athleticism can help the Rebels. He is more suited for the small forward also, but if needed he can step into the shooting guard for some minutes. Rebel Net believes that Vince Booker will get the start at the shooting guard. Aside from shooting, which he does not do nearly enough of in games, Booker has no real strengths.But bythe same token, Booker does not have very many weaknesses. Booker will be more of a role player at the shooting guard. His duties will be simple - take the open shot, don't force any shots or dribble penetration, don't turn it over, and defend. That will keep Booker on the floor for most of the game.
At the small forward we believe that Lou Kelly will be starting by mid-season. It appears that in an effort to minimize UNLV's distinct size disadvantage, Spoonhour will start Chris Richardson or Dalron Johnson at the small forward. But Spoonhour will probably yield to the firepower of Lou Kelly by the new year. Kelly's career has been a disappointment thus far. He suffered a broken foot on two separate occasions and found very little playing time last season due to a lack of defensive intensity. But with this being Lou's senior season, we believe that we will see a much better effort on the defensive end by Kelly. He is a very streaky shooter and offensively creative player. He may serve as a "point forward" for the Rebels because of his incredible floor vision and passing ability. This season we expect Kelly to break the 30 plateau a game or two, but don't be surprised to see him saddled with single digit scoring on a few occasions.
Dalron Johnson is the most steady returner for the Rebels. He can score in the post, but Dalron is still more comforable on the outside. But this year he may be forced into the post because of the collective lack of size. Dalron is a do it all type player. We expect him to lead the team in scoring and rebounding this year. He'll also lead the team in blocked shots as he will become UNLV's all time leading shot blocker by the end of the year. Dalron will also have a great opportunity at MWC awards.
While he has only proven himself on the lesser JC level, Rebel Net has every reason to believe that Banks will be the best point guard in the conference. While it will take Banks some time to adjust to basketball at the division one level, when he gets there in mid December, watch out. His explosive first step makes defenders look as if they are in quicksand. His mid range jumper is deadly and his three point shot, one of very few weaknesses, is improving daily. Banks can finish at the rim as well as any Rebel point guard in recent memory. Another weakness of Banks is his ability to find open men. We do not expect him to total very many assists unfortunately, but he will be one of those guys that will average around 15 points per game and have games where he scores in the high 20's to mid 30's. He is the real deal.
Banks' defense is solid, though he is prone to foul trouble due to overaggressive play. He is physically strong and he will find himself in foul trouble with the ticky tack calls of the Mountain West Conference officials. It'll be trouble for the Rebels if that does happen, because they are going to need Banks on the floor to be successful. Expect Banks to take home a MWC newcomer award or two.
At the shooting guard there are many candidates to start - Ernest Turner, Lamar Bigby, Vince Booker and even Lou Kelly, though he may be better suited for the small forward spot. Of the other three, Turner has the most talent, but he has been hampered by a severely sprained ankle suffered in early July. Turner is not yet up to speed. Aside from that, inexperience may keep Turner from getting minutes early. Bigby has had an up and down summer and fall, but his athleticism can help the Rebels. He is more suited for the small forward also, but if needed he can step into the shooting guard for some minutes. Rebel Net believes that Vince Booker will get the start at the shooting guard. Aside from shooting, which he does not do nearly enough of in games, Booker has no real strengths.But bythe same token, Booker does not have very many weaknesses. Booker will be more of a role player at the shooting guard. His duties will be simple - take the open shot, don't force any shots or dribble penetration, don't turn it over, and defend. That will keep Booker on the floor for most of the game.
At the small forward we believe that Lou Kelly will be starting by mid-season. It appears that in an effort to minimize UNLV's distinct size disadvantage, Spoonhour will start Chris Richardson or Dalron Johnson at the small forward. But Spoonhour will probably yield to the firepower of Lou Kelly by the new year. Kelly's career has been a disappointment thus far. He suffered a broken foot on two separate occasions and found very little playing time last season due to a lack of defensive intensity. But with this being Lou's senior season, we believe that we will see a much better effort on the defensive end by Kelly. He is a very streaky shooter and offensively creative player. He may serve as a "point forward" for the Rebels because of his incredible floor vision and passing ability. This season we expect Kelly to break the 30 plateau a game or two, but don't be surprised to see him saddled with single digit scoring on a few occasions.
Dalron Johnson is the most steady returner for the Rebels. He can score in the post, but Dalron is still more comforable on the outside. But this year he may be forced into the post because of the collective lack of size. Dalron is a do it all type player. We expect him to lead the team in scoring and rebounding this year. He'll also lead the team in blocked shots as he will become UNLV's all time leading shot blocker by the end of the year. Dalron will also have a great opportunity at MWC awards.
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At center, the Rebels brought in Jamal Holden from Westark JC in Arkansas. While Jamal may be able to give the Rebels some decent minutes, he does not have the type of game to be a huge impact. Then again, none of the Rebel potential centers have that type of game. Omari Pearson added 20 pounds of bulk and has looked good at times during the preseason, but he probably will not get the start. Freshman Louis Amundson is very raw but shows a lot of promise. He is fearless around the basket and makes things happen. At this point, it is a crap shoot at who will start at center for the Rebels. But Rebel Net's guess is that it will be 6-6 Chris Richardson.
Offensively the Rebels will have some options. Dalron Johnson will be the primary scorer for the team while Lou Kelly drops in points from the perimeter. Marcus Banks is a supreme penetrator. With those ingredients, the Rebels will have a chance to lead the league in scoring.
Johnson will get his points from all over the court - from behind the three point line, from mid range and from down low. In games where Johnson has difficulty scoring down low, the Rebels may have problems because it appears they have no other true scoring options from the post.
Kelly has terrific range, but he goes hot and cold. He's also strong with partial penetration, stopping to hit the jump hook or short jumper in the lane. But his biggest asset may be to draw attention and then find the open man.
Banks will have to hit the outside jumper to keep his defender honest. Even if it isn't falling, Banks is quick enough to break down his defender. Banks will also serve as a great safety valve in close games and shot clock situations.
In games where two of the above three are 'off', the Rebels won't have a chance because there is not a lot of firepower off the bench.
Jevon Banks has played well and will be a definite spark off the bench. He's a shaky outside shooter, but he is a solid open court player and he is very unselfish.
Ernest Turner is a great three point threat and will have a chance to earn some good minutes this year. He is never hesitant to shoot the ball and when he does, it has a good shot at going in.
Returnee Lafonte Johnson will back up Banks at the point guard. Lafonte is steady but unspectacular as a point guard. The team won't lose ground when he is in the game, but they won't pull away either.
As for the rest of the bench - Pearson, Holden, and Amundson - they are going to have to provide the Rebels with hustle stats such as rebounding and taking charges. They are not going to outmuscle anyone but they will have to out hustle.
Defensively the Rebels will be very weak in the middle. With no real bulk to speak of, the bigger teams may be able to score at will. But an even bigger concern will be the rebounding, especially with some of the teams in the MWC (see Wyoming).
The Rebels should be tough with their perimeter defense though. Banks can make players look like children when he picks their pocket. Booker is far from a spectacular defender, but he should be solid enough to keep average players in check. Kelly is not noted for great defense, but he can play it. His long arms and timing will lead to a few blocked shots and several deflected balls. Look for the Rebels to have one of the best perimeter pressure defenses in the league.
Johnson will get his points from all over the court - from behind the three point line, from mid range and from down low. In games where Johnson has difficulty scoring down low, the Rebels may have problems because it appears they have no other true scoring options from the post.
Kelly has terrific range, but he goes hot and cold. He's also strong with partial penetration, stopping to hit the jump hook or short jumper in the lane. But his biggest asset may be to draw attention and then find the open man.
Banks will have to hit the outside jumper to keep his defender honest. Even if it isn't falling, Banks is quick enough to break down his defender. Banks will also serve as a great safety valve in close games and shot clock situations.
In games where two of the above three are 'off', the Rebels won't have a chance because there is not a lot of firepower off the bench.
Jevon Banks has played well and will be a definite spark off the bench. He's a shaky outside shooter, but he is a solid open court player and he is very unselfish.
Ernest Turner is a great three point threat and will have a chance to earn some good minutes this year. He is never hesitant to shoot the ball and when he does, it has a good shot at going in.
Returnee Lafonte Johnson will back up Banks at the point guard. Lafonte is steady but unspectacular as a point guard. The team won't lose ground when he is in the game, but they won't pull away either.
As for the rest of the bench - Pearson, Holden, and Amundson - they are going to have to provide the Rebels with hustle stats such as rebounding and taking charges. They are not going to outmuscle anyone but they will have to out hustle.
Defensively the Rebels will be very weak in the middle. With no real bulk to speak of, the bigger teams may be able to score at will. But an even bigger concern will be the rebounding, especially with some of the teams in the MWC (see Wyoming).
The Rebels should be tough with their perimeter defense though. Banks can make players look like children when he picks their pocket. Booker is far from a spectacular defender, but he should be solid enough to keep average players in check. Kelly is not noted for great defense, but he can play it. His long arms and timing will lead to a few blocked shots and several deflected balls. Look for the Rebels to have one of the best perimeter pressure defenses in the league.
Rebel Net Predictions
Starters
Marcus Banks PG
Vince Booker 2G
Louis Kelly SF
Dalron Johnson PF
Chris Richardson C
Key Contributors off the Bench
Jevon Banks
Ernest Turner
Louis Amundson
Lafonte Johnson
Omari Pearson
Jamal Holden
Predicted Regular Season Record: 20-7
Predicted MWC Conference Record: 9-5 (third place behind first place Utah and second place Wyoming)
Post Season Prediction: NIT. The Rebels will be on the bubble on selection Sunday, but they will be a win short of making the big dance. Of course, the Rebels can avoid the heartache by winning the MWC on their home court, but they will fall a game short here.
