Rebels stay perfect, beat UCSB in double overtime 94-88

Guts won the game in double overtime. A few days after the landmark win against North Carolina the Rebels stormed  into Santa Barbara to exact some revenge on USCB for their punishment over the years. It was as tough and close as they have come for the Rebels this season, taking not one but two overtimes to seal the deal. As seen by the following chart, this game was extremely close almost the whole way. It was a hotly contested game with a Gaucho’s team who definitely looked forward to the challenge of trying to knock off the #18 team in the nation.

Santa Barbara had big efforts from several players, most notably Orlando Johnson with 36 points, 14 for Nunally, and Jamie Serna with 13. UCSB rebounded slightly better than the Rebels, 46-44.

Stats between the two teams were very even. The Gauchos shot 31% in the first half, 39% in the second, and 63% in overtime. In total UCSB shot 42% for game. The Rebels shot 41% in the first half, 50% for the second half, I don’t have the overtime stat but the Rebels finished 46% for the game.

A familiar theme has emerged, Mike Moser – national player of the week had another monster game, 34 points and 10rebs for Moser – another double double deluxe. Mike hit 6 threes and really fueled the team when overall, a lot of the team was struggling to hit shots with consistency in this game.

Chace Stanback had a totally different regular game, he only had 2 points before overtime, then exploded and really carried the Rebels to the win. He finished the game with 19, doing the math its 17 overtime points.  

Carlos Lopez had a nice game in regulation, tallying 9 points, and Massamba big in over time for the Rebels making key plays and hustling.

Anthony Marshall had a nice game as well, bringing 13 points to the table 8 assists, and a few nice dunks. 

Free throws and threes were big for the Rebels in overtime, and probably made the difference. The Rebels scored by making 8 of 11 free throws and 3 of 7 from three in overtime.

Due to the double overtime, multiple players had to putting in over 40 minutes. Thankfully get a few days to recover at home before they travel to Wichita State, a team that is generally recognized as better than UCSB.

Like many games, it was a a series of runs and holding off runs. While the Rebels held a decent lead close to the end of the game, UNLV gave it away by not being able to contain UCSB and they tied it up to push it to overtime. This game did not come down to who wanted it more – both teams wanted the win equally. When it comes to playing so many minutes, it came down to experience, talent, and conditioning – and that’s where UNLV outshined UCSB, especially in the second overtime.

While it wasn’t a blow out, it was a sweet and difficult win for this Rebels team, one they can learn from and use when adversity comes knocking, and it certainly will.

While the Rebels are still undefeated, and are now 8-0 and ranked, losses will come. Perhaps at Wichita, Wisconsin, or Illinois.


Nobody’s perfect, and home court advantage accounts for about 10 points usually for those who handicap a game. The one thing that’s certain is the amount of heart and determination this team possesses is the best we’ve had in years, and regardless of whether they have 2 losses or 6 losses at the end of the season, this is a scary good team that will make plenty of noise in the tournament.

Rebel Reign MVP(s) - Mike Moser and Chase Stanback (for his overtime heroics)

Links to media sources on the win:

ESPN:  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=313342540

LV Sun: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/30/resilient-rebels-need-two-overtimes-finally-dispos/

LVRJ: http://www.lvrj.com/sports/rebels-set-for-tipoff-against-uc-santa-barbara-134794733.html

Weekly Seven: http://weeklyseven.com/sports/2011/12/01/no-18-unlv-outlasts-ucsb-2ot-thriller-94-88

Some video from the game:

UNLV vs. UNC - My MVP’s Played Not a Single Minute

By Jason Taylor

11-27-2011

Yes… With a reported 40-50 NBA scouts in attendance, Chase Stanback chose a terrific night to drop 28 points and seize 10 rebounds, and Mike Moser chose a great night to grab an astounding 18 rebounds amongst the “ Red Woods” of UNC and to begin showing his 3 point scoring ability. 

It was an all-around team effort.  Marshall, Bellfield, Lopez, Massamba, Hawkins, Thomas… they ALL played really, really well.

In my book, however the biggest stars of the night didn’t play a single minute.  The credit for this win belongs the Rebel Coaching Staff.

In my September piece for RebelReign, “And Then, There Was Rice”, I addressed the idea of what Coach Rice’s “Runnin’” might mean for the Rebels.

Of the compiled list exemplifying what might be meant by “Runnin’”, the following have pretty much rung true as staples to Rice’s offense:

• Quickly identify defensive seams, and attack at first light.
• Guards run the wings looking for quick outlet passes, even on in-bound plays.
• Players have more authority to make decisions based on flow.
• The “Bigs” run the lanes looking for dishes and clean-up work.
• “Offensive Sets” rely on quick lateral movement.
• Guards/Forwards often penetrate and create the “draw and dish”, or finish.
• “Face-up”, or “catch and shoot” jumpers become increasingly important.
• Deep and frequent use of the bench.

Former Reblel’s coach, Lon Kruger, has gained success over the years through consistency.  His teams apply high defensive pressure and a very consistent offensive effort that takes few chances.  Kruger’s games are largely won due to favorable turnover rates.

Coach Rice has dialed up a formula for maximum speed, which has indeed increased the number of turnovers, but in exchange for higher overall scores.  It includes a bit more risk, but in racing terms, it seeks to finish 1^st, vs. finish “high”. 

The style Rice has employed, however, has also been very consistent.  The pace has been frenetic, multiple ball handlers have pushed into the frontcourt, and shooters have been in position, ready and waiting for the drive-and-kick or swing passes.  He’ll send the ball over the top on fast breaks at first chance, and the substitutions have been predictable, bringing in fresh legs to meet the demands of massive oxygen uptake.

This week, however, highlighted a pit crew highly capable of fine-tuning, and even altering its attack, and this is what has caused me to give my “MVP” to the coaches.

The game against Cal Poly was the first example.  Playing time was re-arranged, and some of it was done in real time.  Cal Poly was ridiculously physical.  The Rebels then leaned on the leadership of Brice Massamba, who thrives in a physical scenario, and left Lopez sitting out most of the game, with an added benefit of protecting his recovering ankle. 

The Rebels, as usual this season, pushed the pace against Cal Poly where they could, and were quick to send passes deep before zone defense could set up. 

They weren’t as athletic as the Rebels, as most teams are not, and we exploited this fact, like every team so far, with success.

Then comes UNC.  My recruiting analysis in September identified the fact that the Tar Heels have 9 Top 100 recruits, the worst of which was 32^nd in the nation.   Their average Top Recruit was the 14^th best in the United States.  They are crazy good, and crazy deep!

So, now what do you do.  This may be the one team we’ll face that has a clear-cut “athletic” advantage.  They are taller and faster on the average.   That’s one problem.

Then, as the game developed, there was no doubt that the refs were equipped with some of the quickest whistles in the west.  This altered the variables for both coaches.  Anthony Marshall, who dictated the Rebel’s strategy early in the game, ended up with 3 fouls by half time, as did Massamba.

How did we adapt?

Think about the 2^nd half.  How many times did UNC press ahead for the fast break?  A lot, which yielded a turnover or two, and several trips to the line where they shot poorly, thank goodness. 

In the 52 points that were scored in the 2^nd half by the Rebels, how many times did UNLV press ahead in the same fashion, trying to beat UNC’s defense back?  NONE.  There were some long passes, and a few quick drives, but not one time did UNLV “go long” over the top looking for the quick bucket as it has done all season. 

This was calculated, and intentional.  The odds of accomplishing this feat against UNC were too low.

In previous games, the rebounder has often dribbled up after rebounds, intensely pushing tempo. 

But now, the combined point guard presence of Marshall and Bellfield on the floor was critical to success, so how do you keep Marshall on the floor with 3 fouls? 

Marshall is prone to “charging”, and Bellfield is an excellent pace setter, so in the second half, the backcourt rules changed completely.  The rebounder, instead of turning up-court, began looking for Bellfield in the backcourt, even if the rebounder was Marshall, and Bellfield MODIFIED THE PACE.

We were still in the frame of mind that we needed to use drives and create quick lateral movement in order to utilize the first open scorer, but Bellfield allowed everyone to “take their places” before employing offensive pressure.

Then, on UNC’s fast breaks, it was Thomas, Hawkins, or Lopez that were taking the chances and potentially drawing the fouls.  Marshall would normally find himself in that mix, but he was basically absent to the scenario in the 2^nd half.

As time wound down, UNC began to press.  In astonishingly sound fashion, the Rebels turned the press to their advantage.  Yes, UNC’s press did create a turnover at the end from a Moser in-bound pass, but overall, this team was supremely prepared to draw the double-team and pass long to midcourt.  This created a couple of “freebies” for the Rebels, including a wide-open Stanback dunk to spread the lead. 

The Maestros of the coaching staff were conducting their finest, albeit this is only Rice’s 7^th official game as a head coach.

As a Rebel racked up a foul, they’d sub out and another would sub back in.  The quick whistles finally landed Massamba and Moser on the bench with 5 fouls each, but not until the last seconds.  UNC would not benefit from their absence. 

I don’t think for a second that any of this occurred haphazardly.  It’s not that our players were not in supreme form – they were.  But in my mind, the coaches orchestrated this win.

MVP’s – Coaches Rice, Hutson, Augmon, and Schroyer.

Great Job!

UNLV BEATS UNC

Fantastic win by the Rebels – Nation take notice, UNLV is talented and is back. An epic thanksgiving gift for all Runnin’ Rebels fans!

UNLV never really had problems in this game, the Rebels started off blazing with consecutive 3 pointers. The first inside bucket was Massamba’s with a layup making the score. 11-4 with 16:19 to go. UNLV’s biggest lead early in the game was 7 points, but then gave some of it back when UNC went on a run and cut it to 2 points, (11-9). UNLV then went on another nice run sparked by Marshall and Stanback which pushed the score back out to 17-9. UNC then finally took the first lead of the game which the Rebels quickly tied at 18 all with about 8:30 left to play in the first half. UNC and UNLV were evenly matched as far as shooting percentage went in the first half. UNC took the lead again and then the lead traded back and forth between teams until the 4:30 mark, when UNC held the lead for the remained of the first half. UNLV stalked UNC though keeping pace and ending the half only four points behind UNC, 38-42. One of the more amazing moments of  the first half was a drive and dunk by Anthony Marshall – if you didn’t get up and yell on that one, you probably not reading this website (or didn’t watch the game.)

The second half started very much like the first, with UNLV blazing again and capitalizing with layups, jumpers, and three pointers. UNLV retook the lead at the 18 minute mark, 44-42.  What’s key about this point, is from there on out UNLV never relinquished the lead, and it only grew. UNC shooting went especially cold compared to the first half, they shot only 31%. UNLV held their largest lead of the night at 13 points on a dunk by Carlos Lopez at the 5:40 mark. It was at about that time I was telling my wife precluding some tragic event (or series of tragic events), UNLV would win this game. The closest UNC cut it to down the stretch was 83-77 at the 1:31 mark. Once that flurry had vanished, the bench was celebrated, the crowd went wild, and everyone knew it was a foregone conclusion – UNLV was going to beat the #1 team in the nation. 

Team shooting for the game was impressive, UNLV shot almost 44% from the field, and 40% from three (13). UNC shot 42% from the field and 44% from three (only 4). Free throw shooting was squarely in favor of UNLV, 83% vs 60%. 

Moser was all over the boards as usual, he collected 18 boards and 16 points, a monster double-double. Even though the Rebels were scorching from three point land shooting 13-32 (40%), what was particularly impressive was the inside play against the predicted more physical and skilled UNC players. Massamba, Thomas, and Lopez were all beasts, and held their own against a field of draft picks and all-americans. Moreover, Massamba goated Tyler Zeller into some silly fouls which kept him largely ineffective.

UNLV guards had fantastic nights as well, Oscar Bellfield was huge, especially from three point range, he was 4-8 from three and finished with 16 points and 9 assists. Anthony Marshall was big too, he was 2-3 from three point land and finished with 13 points and 2 steals.

Chace Stanback, welcome to the Rebel Reign MVP circle! Techincally everyone worked as a well oiled machine and had to, to beat the Tarheels, so everyone gets the award. But Stanback, what an effort – 28 points, only 1 foul, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist, and 10 rebounds, a double double and all around massive performance. He was good for 4 of the Rebels 13 3-pointers, and was perfect from the charity stripe. When someone like Stanback, who has been in the background through the first five games of the season can erupt against UNC – you have yourselves one of the five deepest teams in the NCAA. Chace was a hero tonight, we salute you.

What makes this particularly sweet is that UNC was at full strength, no key injuries and no excuses. Sure, they played last night – but so did UNLV. This win isn’t an astricks like the win we pulled off against #6 Kansas State last season – this was legit.

What should UNLV’s ranking be. Well, unfortunately this isn’t Highlander, you don’t take the head of your opponent and their ranking. But, we did just beat the #1 team on a neutral court and impressive fashion, by 10 points. I belive a ranking in the top 10 is in order, perhaps even top 5 given our record.

What makes the feat even more amazing was it was pulled off by a rookie coach in Coach Dave Rice. I am unaware of any head coach in his first season who knocked off the #1 team in the nation – if you can find it let me know, but this is spectacular. We are all super proud of our Rebels, and despite the odds against us had faith they could pull of this monumental upset. GO UNLV!!

Come discuss the win in the forums!


Post-game interview with Heath Schroyer:

Anthony Marshall unassisted dunk:

Preview info for UNC v. UNLV game

          vs.            

Tonight's match-up is an exciting one for Runnin' Rebels fans, and here are links and information on tonight's nationally televised game:

From UNLV Athletics:
You’d be hard-pressed to find a team longer or more athletic than the No. 1 ranked Tar Heels. Entering play tonight, UNC ranks second in the country in assists-per-game (22.2), third in points-per-game (89.6), tenth in rebounds-per-game (43), and eleventh in field-goal percentage (52%). Led by Naismith College Basketball Hall of Fame member and two-time ACC Coach of the Year Roy Williams, the Tar Heels boast a wealth of talent across the board. Sophomore forward Harrison Barnes (17 ppg) leads a trio of players averaging at least 16 points per contest. A native of Ames, Iowa, the 6’8 Barnes was named North Carolina’s ninth ACC Rookie of the Year last season in addition to being tabbed a freshman All-American (USBWA and FoxSports.com). Barnes isn’t the only Tar Heel talent down low, however.John Henson, a 6’11 junior forward is pouring in 16.5 points-per-game in addition to snaring 11 rebounds. As a sophomore last year, Henson became just the third UNC player in the last 13 years to average a double-double for the season. Then there’s the Tar Heel’s man-in-the middle, 7’0 center Tyler Zeller. So far this season, Zeller is averaging 16 points-per-game to go with eight rebounds. Always one to look for a quality shot, the senior led the ACC in field-goal percentage a year ago by converting nearly 55% of his attempts. If UNLV is to have success tonight, it must be solid in the paint and allow its guards to have quality looks at the hoop.

Story about Chace Stanback's father, actually a UNC fan:

http://weeklyseven.com/blogs/above-rim/2011/11/26/family-fuels-stanback-s-motivation-topple-tar-heels

Las Vegas Sun's Preview:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/25/bring-tar-heels-rebels-top-usc-setup-championship-/?hq_e=el&hq_m=230598&hq_l=3&hq_v=ee6ec3987f

A North Carolina perspective preview:

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/hurricanes/story/10426100/?hq_e=el&hq_m=230598&hq_l=4&hq_v=ee6ec3987f

ESPN Blog preview - three things to watch:

http://espn.go.com/blog/north-carolina-basketball/post/_/id/1222/unc-unlv-in-vegas-final-what-to-watch

Fox News preview - Battle of the unbeatens:

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/11/26/battle-unbeatens-on-tap-in-sin-city/

Rebels down USC, 66-55

UNLV beating USC, moving to 6-0

Both UNLV and USC brought  a lot of effort to tonight’s game, and it was a calculated and plodding battle. Unfortunately for the Rebels throughout most of the contest, they could not shake USC’s wiener dog pace. USC could not keep their hands to themselves and got into the double bonus with plenty of time left in the 1^st half. The Rebels were not able to use that to their advantage because once they reached that point the fouls were much fewer.

UNLV built and maintained a lead for 5-7 minutes in  the first half before USC went on a run and took it back. From that point on into the mid second half, USC and UNLV tied or traded leads. The score at the half was a tie at 31-31.

Players for UNLV that had their games going early were Chace Stanback, who had 4 early . Quintrell Thomas had a nice block and bucket, and of course Moser. Hawkins and Wallace added a three a piece to help break open the defense. USC’s game plan however was to allow UNLV to be a jump shooting team, but protect the paint.

With USC in foul trouble much of the first half, and UNLV rebounding (especially on offense) at an amazing rate, the Rebels technically should have had a commanding lead in the first half. As stated earlier, this wasn’t the case.

Unlike previous foes the Rebels have faced, this USC team has two good centers, Deadmon and Blasczyk These centers gave Carloz Lopez a lot of issues, plaguing him with a three second violation and an offensive foul. Brice Massamba and and Quintrell Thomas were both effective against the challenge.

UNLV first half three point shooting was solid as well, but dropped off in the second half. For the game, the Rebels were 7-24 from long range shooting just 29%. Although the low percentage, Justin Hawkins’ really looked like a pro when he shot the long ball, and had  his feet perfectly set when he did.

Alexis Moore went out of the game out the game with 13:00, Marshall stole ball from his freshman replacement and had a great transition layup, followed by the freshman point guard replacement traveling and giving possession back to the Rebels.

It seemed that Rebel rebounding and shooting dropped off from the first half to the second, whereas USC came out firing on all cylinders. With the first 10 minutes of the 2^nd looking very much like most of the first, a seesaw game, the monotony was changed when Kendall Wallace hit another inspiring 3 to break the Rebels lead open at  6.

A bit of luck also favored the Rebels, in that Dedmon earned a technical foul for mouthing off to the refs, something he had actually been doing all game. That technical inspired an 8-0 UNLV run. That technical ended his stint in the game, as his fifth foul.

In a silly move, the slightest agitation on the part of Carlos Lopez (nowhere near as bad as Dedmon’s) caused the refs to equally penalize Lopez.

There’s a saying in basketball, popularized (or created) by Rasheed Wallace. The saying goes, “Ball don’t lie” and it basically means when someone was wrongfully assessed a foul, the foul shooter is likely to miss one or both of the foul shots – basically karma. This applied here, as USC’s Allen missed both shots on the Lopez technical.

USC’s Aaron Fuller fouled out 6:06 play and was tied for the leading USC scorers with 16 points. At this point, UNLV led 52-48. More luck for the Rebels came at the expense of USC’s remaining big man, Blasczyk when he knocked knees with someone and was barely effective while still in the game.

On the offensive front, the Rebels worked hard to finish building a comfortable lead to end the game, and even played a little “Runnin’ Rebel basketball”. Justin Hawkins added another solid 3 point shot to push things out further. The Rebels largest lead to that point came from the game’s leading scorer, Oscar Bellfield who hit a fade-away 2 pointer and pushed it to 8.

The Runnin’ really started coming when Hawkins attempted a steal which didn’t initially turnover the ball, but caused the USC point guard to be sloppy and led to the USC turnover.Still with a lead of 8, with 3:12 left things favored the Rebels from there on out. Anthony Marshall had a fantastic dunk at the 2:58 mark, then soon after Moser pokes the ball out from a USC player and UNLV recovers the loose ball.

In the most exciting and electric play of the night, Hawkins stole the USC pass, and then un an unselfish measure passed the ball to the trailing Moser for power dunk that brought the place to its feet – including the North Carolina fans waiting patiently to watch their Tarheels.

UNLV wins the game with an 11 point margin, 66-55. It was not played at the Rebels pace, but a win is a win and being able to win playing someone else’s style has to count for something.

Rebel Reign MVP(s) – Oscar Bellfield / Mike Moser / Justin Hawkins / Anthony Marshall

Four MVPS? Yes, they all deserve a piece of the honor, and we make the rules up as we go. This was a balanced effort, and I love me some balanced effort because it means the opposition can’t double people and hurt the team. Everyone did well, while it would have been nice to blow out someone at the Orleans, we’ll take a win and remain undefeated!

 The reward for a win - a shot at the #1 team in the nation.

UNLV vs. USC Preview

 vs.

By Jason Taylor

11-24-11

“If we don't have this guy, it'll be very difficult for us to be competitive in major college games,” USC Coach Kevin O’Neill said before the season started. “Don’t come to the games. It’ll be ugly. Don’t show up."

O’Neil was talking about the importance of USC’s 5’7”, 155 lb. point guard, Maurice Jones. 

With their starting point guard, Jio Fontan, out due to a torn ACL, it’s readily apparent the USC coach was putting all of his eggs in one basket before the season started, and according to the stats, he’s following through with that strategy.   Jones has played an average of more than one game per game, averaging 41.5 minutes!  How is this possible?  It includes an overtime game.  The kid just doesn’t sit.

Then, there’s a physical anomaly of a player in Sophomore Dewayne Dedmon.  He’s an athletic 7’0” and 255 lbs that usually finishes 2^nd on the team in sprints.  Think David Robinson, but fortunately, without the skills… yet.  Coach O’Neill Is looking for him to be the 2^nd leading scorer on the season, and the leading rebounder, even though Dewayne had hardly played a lick of basketball as of two years ago.  For religious reasons, he only started playing organized ball his senior year of high school.

USC’s loss to Cal Poly underscores their style of play.  The score was 36-42.  UNLV averages more points per game than were scored by both teams in that game.  USC will slow things down as much as possible, and try to grind the game out… the antithesis to Dave Rice’s “Runnin” strategy.

Another clash of styles…

Rice’s push to “run” allows multiple ball handling opportunities.  Marshall and Bellfield run the point and alternate with fluidity… even play by play, sometimes.  Hawkins, Wallace, and Moser also have the green light to rebound, turn, and burn. 

Nothing of the sort will occur with any regularity for the Trojans.

O’Neill plans on keeping the ball in Jones’ hands on every possession.   “I believe in running the offense through certain guys,” O’Neill said. “I don’t believe in equal opportunity.

The differences in style should be stark.

The last time UNLV played USC 2 years ago, it was also in early-season tournament play.  The Rebels were running strong and expected run past USC.  However, point guard Michael Garrity had just become eligible for USC, and simply diced up UNLV’s defense and handed the Rebels a harsh loss.

This upcoming game comes with similar expectations.  UNLV should be able to beat the 2-3 Trojans… hopefully this expectation will be fulfilled this time.

Here’s the “recruiting strength” info for the Trojans’ roster.

Now that the season is underway, the information has been rearranged according to minutes played. 

	USC					ESPN	SCOUT
NO.	NAME - POSITION	Ht/Wt	CLASS	MinPG	PPG	TOP 100	GRADE
10	MAURICE JONES - PG	5-7/155	SO	41.5*	13.8	89	93
25	BYRON WESLEY - G	6-5/210	FR	33.0	4.8	-	91
21	AARON FULLER - F	6-6/235	JR	32.0	14.0	-	70
3	ALEXIS MOORE - G	6-2/180	FR	31.8	5.5	-	88
14	DEWAYNE DEDMON - C	7-1/255	SO	24.8	7.8	-	70
20	ERIC STRANGIS - G	6-4/190	SR	18.3	18.3	NR	NR
31	JAMES BLASCZYK - C	7-1/260	JR	16.3	1.8	NR	NR
33	GARRETT JACKSON - F	6-6/225	SO	13.3	4.8	-	90
2	GREG ALLEN - G	6-3/180	JR	3.5	0.0	NR	NR
42	CURTIS WASHINGTON	6-10/245	SO	Injured		-	87
22	EVAN SMITH - F	6-7/225	RS SO	Injured		-	78
1	JIO FONTAN - G	6-0/175	SR	Injured		NR	NR
24	DANIEL MUNOZ - G	5-10/175	JR	-		NR	NR
41	DANILO DRAGOVIC - G	6-5/195	FR	-		NR	NR
4	TYLER SUGIYAMA - G	5-10/150	RS SO	-		NR	NR
	AVG SCT GRDE OF TOP 8 RECRUITS						86.3
	* Over 40 due to Overtime(s)
	NR = Not Rated - ESPN was unable to evaluate the player in H.S.