The upcoming: The scrimmage and what's hopefully in-store till then

This weeks article isn't original content, but it is very important information provided by the athletic department regarding the upcoming Scarlet and Gray scrimmage. Unlike last years festivities, it appears that there is no planned Fremont Street event. Looking back, perhaps that was more of a 'here's our new coach and his staff' type of event, as much as it was about introducing the 2011-12 Rebels. In any event, the scrimmage has been held before the season starts, and provides a view into the team and what to expect when the season rolls around.

Besides this information, RebelReign.com will try to do the following before the seasons starts: get at least one more interview with either a player or member of the coaching staff, and give a in-depth recap and analysis from the scrimmage. Real college basketball is only a short wait, and the anticipation is killing me. Please read the following, and attend the free scrimmage.

Sept. 27, 2012 

RUNNIN’ REBEL SCARLET/GRAY SHOWCASE SET FOR OCT. 18 

Free fan event features dunk contest, Legends game, Scarlet & Gray Scrimmage, Fan Fest and more 

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men’s basketball team will hold a free fan event on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. Named the Runnin’ Rebel Scarlet/Gray Showcase, fans are invited to celebrate the start of the 2012-13 season with festivities that will include a dunk contest, the Scarlet & Gray Scrimmage and the Legends game. 

The dunk contest is a new element to the program’s first open-to-the-public event of the season, while the Legends Alumni game has taken place prior to or during halftime of Runnin’ Rebel games the past several years. 

The Runnin’ Rebel Scarlet/Gray Showcase will have a Fan Fest outside in front of the Thomas & Mack Center from 5-6:30 p.m., and the building’s doors will open at 6 p.m. There will be games and activities for kids included. The Showcase will also feature the debut of new videos as well as a chance for fans to get autographs from the players and coaches at the conclusion of the event. 

“We are excited to begin the 2012-13 season and for this opportunity to be back in front of our fans,” said UNLV men’s basketball head Dave Rice. “This event is so important to our program and we know Runnin’ Rebel fans look forward to it each year. It will be a lot of fun for the team as well as the fans, and it will be good for our players to be in front of a crowd as we continue our preparations for games to start in November.” 

The Runnin’ Rebels are ranked No. 13 by Athlon Sports and No. 15 by Blue Ribbon entering this season after going 26-9 in Rice's first year at the helm of the program. The 26 wins during the 2011-12 campaign were the most victories in a season by a first-year head coach in UNLV history. 

UNLV played in its third straight NCAA Tournament and defeated three top-25 teams last year, including a win over then-No. 1 North Carolina, marking the program’s first victory over the nation's top-ranked team in 22 years and the first time a Mountain West school has ever defeated the No. 1 team in both polls. 

The Runnin' Rebels were ranked for 13 straight weeks (14 overall), climbing as high as No. 11 in the country last season. UNLV was 18-1 at the Thomas & Mack Center last year, which included a perfect 17-0 mark during the regular season, its first undefeated home regular season in 20 years. 

The team was second in the nation in assists per game last year (17.6) and also second in the country in percentage of field goals assisted at 65.4 percent. 

The Runnin' Rebels return six letterwinners from last year's team, including starters Mike Moser and Anthony Marshall. Moser, who is entering his junior season, was honorable mention Associated Press All-America and a unanimous First-Team All-Mountain West selection as a sophomore. Marshall, who is entering his senior campaign, was named to the All-MW Second Team. Both Moser and Marshall were selected to the league's all-defensive squad last year. 

Also returning are seniors Justin Hawkins and Quintrell Thomas, along with junior Carlos Lopez. The Runnin' Rebels have welcomed their six new scholarship players (Anthony Bennett, Daquan Cook, Savon Goodman, Demetris Morant, Katin Reinhardt and Roscoe Smith) to the roster for the 2012-13 season, plus Bryce Dejean-Jones, who redshirted in 2011-12 after transferring from USC, and Khem Birch, who sat out the Spring 2012 semester after transferring from Pittsburgh. Birch must also sit out Fall 2012 before becoming eligible to play in games in December. 

UNLV had an early start to its season in August as it went 4-0 during its exhibition tour of Canada. 

For information on purchasing season tickets in the lower plaza level, contact the Rebel Athletic Fund at702-895-1533. For information on all other tickets, call 702-739-FANS or visit UNLVtickets.com. 

Thanks for all your support! 

Gary Plumlee 
Rebel Athletic Fund

Dantley Walker Article / New ticket packages available

Dantley Walker Article / Update

Recently, I received an update from 2013 recruit Dantley Walker's dad Greg, that a nice article had been published recently (see below) in the Western News. This is worth sharing, since I assume that's not normally a paper people in Vegas read :) .Something new is that Dantley is now serving his mission in Montana temporarily (at least a few months more) and then may be sent somewhere else. Dantley will be finished with his mission in time to attend summer school in 2013. 

New ticket packages available

Now that season tickets for the 2012-13 season have been available for some time, and the season is ever inching towards jump-ball, mini-plans have been announced for those who either cannot afford season tickets, or don't believe they'd be able to make it to 19 home games. The packages go on sale Sunday, September 23. Here's the breakdown:

According to UNLVTickets.com, these plans represent up to a 43% savings over purchasing these games at the single game face value price. Which plan is better? Savings wise, I'd rather backwards compare them against the full season ticket price - since its not too late to still pull the trigger on the season tix.

Scarlet Mini-Plan - Math -             Savings
Balcony RAF - $152 vs $240 =    37% cheaper than season
Balcony - $128 vs $215 =            41% cheaper than season
End Balcony - $86 vs $125 =       31% cheaper than season

Gray Mini-Plan - Math -                Savings

Balcony RAF - $162 vs $240 =    33% cheaper than season
Balcony - $138 vs $215 =            36% cheaper than season
End Balcony - $91 vs $125 =       27% cheaper than season

Although these tickets represent up to a 43% savings over the single game ticket prices (likely much more after all of the bull crap fees that are tacked on when you buy single game tickets), they aren't nearly as good a deal as would be if you just bought the season. For example, the worst option is the Gray Mini-Plan end balcony, its less than 30% cheaper than just buying the season - we're talking about missing 11 of 19 games, 57% of the home schedule to save 27%. The best deal among these plans, not counting the caliber of games, is the Scarlet Balcony Mini-Plan at 41% cheaper. Still, you pay 41% less for 57% less of the games.

Caliber of games-wise, the Gray mini-plan is the one to buy, if you're planning on buying either. Oregon, Northern Iowa, UNR and San Diego State should all be good games. On the plus side for buying a mini-plan, at least two of those games should be sellouts, so good luck finding single game tickets for less than astronomical prices in the secondary market.

Speaking of single games, here's the latest. Single game tickets will go on sale Sunday, October 21 at 10:00am. The majority of single game tickets available will be in the balcony, so prices aren't even being published right now for lower bowl. Here's the pricing and consideration of what games are premium:

Still need to work out the math (its hard to factor in the single game ticket fees) but it seems as though the mini-plans make sense if you plan on attending at least 4 games, and season tickets make sense if you plan on attending at least 6 games. For those of you who may attend a few with your child, the Rebel Kids Club is still a good and inexpensive option.

Anyhow, if you're serious about season tickets or mini-pans, contact UNLV Tickets asap, and make sure to, if possible, see the view from the seat you're interested in purchasing. There are a few that unfortunately have an obstructed view, so it would be wise to check that out first.

Is anyone else having a hard time waiting to occupy the Mack?

2012-13 Season Predictions II

Will this year's success equal or surpass last years?

Last weekend, Rebel Reign shared predictions for the season (win-loss). This week, Rebel Reign contributor Jason Taylor (RebelGrad95) shares his predictions for the season. Before we begin, an update on two of last year's senior players. Chace Stanback has landed himself playing professional basketball in France (picture of Stanback, good luck reading french), and Oscar Bellfield has landed on the New York Knick's preliminary roster (news release from Knicks). Congratulations guys, may wealth and success find you, and the UNLV brand spread world-wide. 

2012-13 Season Predictions by Jason Taylor:

Dixie State (exhibition) (1-0)

Northern Arizona (2-0)

Jacksonville State (3-0)

- The first 3 games (including the exhibition) will help us establish a wide average margin-of-win. We’ll win these games, hopefully by an average of 30 points.

Nov. 23 Oregon 

Nov. 24 Cincinnati or Iowa State Toss-up 

Nov. 28 UC Irvine 

Dec. 1 Hawaii 

Dec. 4 at Portland  

Dec. 9 at California 

Dec. 13 University of La Verne (D-III)

Dec. 17 at Texas-El Paso 

Dec. 19 Northern Iowa 
Dec. 22 Canisius 

- Then, we’ll face several good teams by the time we play Canisius.  I think it would be a stretch to think we’ll win all of them.  Oregon, Cincy, Northern Iowa (beat us in NCAA tournament 2 years ago), Cal, Portland… even Hawaii was tough to get past last year.  We’ll be fortunate to be (12-1) before the UNC Game.

Dec. 29 at North Carolina

- Do we have a legit chance to beat UNC… of course, but playing them “away” has to push the odds in their favor.  12-2.

Jan. 3 Chicago State 
Jan. 5 Cal State Bakersfield

- We’ll win the next 2 with home games with Chicago St and Cal St Bakersfield.  14-2.

Jan. 9 at New Mexico
Jan. 12 Air Force
Jan. 16 at San Diego State
Jan. 19 at Colorado State
Jan. 24 Wyoming
Jan. 29 UNR
Feb. 2 at Boise St.
Feb. 6 at Fresno St.
Feb. 9 New Mexico
Feb. 13 at Air Force
Feb. 16 San Diego St.
Feb. 20 Colorado St.
Feb. 23 at Wyoming
Mar. 2 at UNR
Mar. 6 Boise St.
Mar. 9 Fresno St.

- Then, we’ll have 16 Conference games.  In theory, and talent per talent, we should win out during conference play.  Then again, last year, we shouldn’t have lost almost the entire back half of conference road games either. 

- I have a big “if” statement that will determine how well we’ll do, and responsibility doesn't lie on the players.  IF Rice has learned how to better manage minutes and keep legs fresh, I predict we will go 13-3 in conference play.  This would leave us at 27-5 (26-5 throwing out the exhibition). 

- If he doesn’t, we’ll lose a few more road games again, and we’ll end up at 25-7. 

Overall, going beyond regular season, I predict a 30 win season because I think Rice will spread minutes better this year, and I think that by the end of the season our “young” kinks will have been largely worked out.  Therefore, I predict a tournament championship, which means 3 more wins. 

If we are 26-5, or 25-6 at MWC tournament start, that will put us at 28-29 wins. 

This year, while I understand the difficulties of the tournament, I believe the chances of winning 2 games are strong, putting us into the 30-win category (not including exhibition game). 

Can we win 4 more?  Yes, but the chances mount against us, of course.  However, how long has it been when serious fans can legitimately answer, “Yes” to that question? 

Go Rebels!

Season Predictions 2012-13

The Mendenhall Center - a new training advantage this season

The schedule has been out for awhile now, and no time like the present to forecast how the Rebels will do pre-tournament. There are four designations that a game can get. Win, Loss, Toss-up - Win, Toss  up - Loss. Explanations will be given where necessary.


The Rebels' non-conference schedule for the 2012-13 season: 
(Bold means home game)
Nov. 7 Dixie State (exhibition) - Win (1-0)
Nov. 12 Northern Arizona - Win (2-0)
- true home opener, inferior competition, this hopefully will be a blowout.
Nov. 17 Jacksonville State - Win (3-0)
- they finished 15-18 last season and scored about as much as Air Force (likely not by design).
Nov. 23 Oregon - Toss-up - Win (4-0)
- This is going to be a sick game, Oregon features Ben Carter and Jonathan Lloyd, both from Bishop Gorman, as well as Dominic Artis from Findlay Prep. They should be a legit team, but UNLV should give them more than they can handle early in the season.
Nov. 24 Cincinnati or Iowa State Toss-up Win (5-0)
- The Rebels have historically done well in fall tournaments regardless of venue - this one will be no different. Both teams are legit, just barely missed out on being pre-season top-25 candidates, so it'll likely be 5 point or less victory.
Nov. 28 UC Irvine - Win (6-0)
- Blowout
Dec. 1 Hawaii - Win (7-0)
Dec. 4 at Portland  - Win (8-0)
Dec. 9 at California - Toss-up Win - (9-0)
- should be a well coached team, better than the one that visited the T&M last season.
Dec. 13 University of La Verne-z (D-III) - Win (10-0)
- blowout, likely a lot of bench players see minutes
Dec. 17 at Texas-El Paso - Toss Up - Win (11-0)
Dec. 19 Northern Iowa -Toss-up Win (12-0)
Dec. 22 Canisius - Win (13-0)
Dec. 29 at North Carolina Toss Up - Loss (13-1)
- They will be less loaded than they were last year, but they will be at home and want revenge. Every part of me wants to say we'll win, but my brain says we'll lose - but respectably. Reality speaking, UNC was 17-1 at home last year, only losing to Duke by 1 point. Let's put it this way, nobody predicted we would beat them at the Orleans last year, and we did - so there is hope.
Jan. 3 Chicago State - Win (14-1)
Jan. 5 Cal State Bakersfield - Win (15-1) 

Conference Schedule
Jan. 9 at New Mexico - Toss-up - Win (16-1)
Jan. 12 Air Force - Win (17-1)
Jan. 16 at San Diego State Toss-up - Loss (17-2)
- damn them, as much as I would like a win - they project to be too tough of a team for even the Rebels to beat in their house. The curse continues. Going to be a hell of a game though... Did you know ESPN projected them #16 of the top 25 (UNLV #23)? They must think they know something I chose not to believe is true.
Jan. 19 at Colorado State - Win (18-2)
Jan. 24 Wyoming - Win - (19-2)
Jan. 29 UNR - Toss-up Win (20-2)
- Ok, UNR is supposedly going to be a tough team (see the "don't sleep on") - but I'm not seeing it. The only thing they have going for them is a team mostly made up of juniors and seniors. That said, they lost two key guys, Olek Czyz and Dario Hunt.
Feb. 2 at Boise St. - Win (21-2)
Feb. 6 at Fresno St. - Toss-up - Loss (21-3)
- I just have a feeling, given the gumption that sometimes Fresno State brews up, along with the limited rest between road games that this one is going to be an unexpected loss to what will be an inferior team.
Feb. 9 New Mexico - Toss-up - Loss (21-4)
- They will be seeking vengence for us beating them at the Pit. We will be wary from more lack of rest, and they will unfortunately even the score.
Feb. 13 at Air Force - Win (22-4)
Feb. 16 San Diego St. - Toss-up - Win (23-4)
- Pride will allow us to overcome and beat these guys in our house. Also expecting by this time in the season SDSU to have an injury to one key player, perhaps James Rahon possibly Tapley is banged up as well.
Feb. 20 Colorado St. - Win (24-4)
- They won't be the challenge they were in the past, without Tim Miles at the helm.
Feb. 23 at Wyoming - Toss-up - Loss (24-5)
- Wyoming always overachieves late in the season. I have a feeling we will sleep on them and they will win an ugly game in Laramie.
Mar. 2 at UNR - Toss-up - Win (25-5)
- I definitely see the Rebels riding into the MWC tournament with a 3 game win streak. No matter how good UNR is, we're beating them in Lawlor.
Mar. 6 Boise St. - Win (26-5)
Mar. 9 Fresno St. - Win (27-5)
- The earlier loss was a freak occurrence. We'll win senior night, guaranteed.

So, I predict the Rebels will end the regular season with a record of 27-5 (26-5 if the exhibition game doesn't count). 

Also, the Rebels will be ranked top-25 throughout the regular season, and land a 4 seed in the tournament. 

Have a different take on what our record will be? Share with other fans here. 

UNLV Televised Games: A New Player Has Stepped In

Time Warner Cable and ESPN, Oh my...

Update - 9/5/12 - Here is a new article by Andy Glockner that is related to the same topic, "Mountain West Hoops' success hasn't translated into broadcast gold" Link

RebelReign.com has been closely following the issue of the dissolution of "The Mtn" and the availability of televised games. Earlier this week, a new entity has become part of the mix, and it's important to see how this may impact our ability to see both home and away games this coming season. Also this past week, the belle of  the ball, ESPN, has announced  it will televise several UNLV games this season. First we'll recap what's been announced, and work on what this means for you.

ESPN to Televise Two More Games

On August 28, 2012 the Athletic Department announced that ESPN has picked up the rights to broadcast two road games this season. The games are:

UNLV @ Portland - 12/4/12 8:00pm ESPNU
UNLV @ California - 12/9/12 3:00pm ESPNU

Our take:

• Hopefully this is just the beginning of  the road and a relationship with ESPN's family of networks 
• Previously announced was our most prominent game of the season, the road rematch against the UNC Tarheels which will be played 12/29/12 @ 11am
• This is great news for Rebel's fans who don't travel with the team, as they elected to broadcast two road games
• This is great exposure for Mike Moser, as the Portland game will give the broadcasters an opportunity to highlight him, as he makes his presence felt in his hometown
• Any news is good news when it comes to more games being televised

Time Warner Cable joins the mix

Time Warner Cable, who is already a major player in the broadcasting field, has announced that they have acquired the rights to broadcast several collegate and sports teams games on a new channel, the Time Warner Cable's SportsNet. Running a network similar to what we know as NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Fox Sports Net, and other regional sports networks, Time Warner will ramp up this new set of channels (regular and spanish language) in October. 

The teams that Time Warner Cable has acquired is more than impressive: The L.A. Lakers, L.A. Galaxy, San Diego State, Fresno State, and UNLV (the college teams for Football and Basketball games). As it stands right now this does not guarantee that the public will see more games than they would aready see currently with CBS sports, as T.W.C. got the rights to those games from CBS Sports. So right now, its just a switcharoo. To complicate matters further, T.W.C. is currently soliciting a price of $3.95 from potential broadcasters (Cox Cable, DirecTV, Dish, Etc.) to carry the networks. Events confirmed are 12 Mountain West Football games (list, four of them UNLV) and at least 24 Mountain West basketball games (not yet listed). One of  the reasons this deal occured, is CBS wanted greater distribution on TWC's broadcasting, and this will make that happen. 

According to Time Warner Cable's website (as of today 9/1/12) major Las Vegas broadcast services, DirecTV, Cox Communications, Centurylink Prism, and Dish Network will NOT be carrying Time Warner Cable's SportsNet. 

Our take

• I really want to be happy about a new network that values UNLV enough to want to acquire the rights to televise games, but the lack of information about how I'm going to watch and cheer for the Rebels makes me especially uneasy. 
• Because this network has only been announced as having two channels (Spanish and English) that could make for rocky viewing if UNLV basketball doesn't get on TV because the Lakers, or SDSU, or Fresno State are playing (honestly, I am unsure when MLS soccer's season starts or finishes).
• Having Rebel's games broadcasted in Spanish would be a major plus as basketball grows in popularity in Spanish speaking nations - plus we have a Spanish speaker on the team, Carlos Lopez, who Spanish speaking viewers can root for, and perhaps he can do post-game interviews in Spanish. 
•  The $3.95 asking price is steep and that frightens me. Mainly, because I've recently had to wait while DirectTV worked out its issues with Viacom which left millions in the dark for several weeks on many important channels -- much more important than a new sports network. I have a feeling that there may be a similar, much less public standoff, regarding entities such as DirecTV, Cox, Dish, and Prism paying the price, and then passing that price onto consumers. 
• The main reason why its more likely than not that we'll get to see our games on this new network, is that having the L.A. Lakers games at your disposal is a major chip, especially in the ultra-important L.A. market. I'm hopeful that networks will come to terms.
• L.A. Lakers' fans, both in L.A. and elsewhere, will be exposed by commercials to Runnin' Rebels basketball. This will be a beneficial recruiting tool in the future. Additionally, when San Diego State leaves the MWC after this year, they will be on Fox Sports, as that is where the Big West is broadcasted. 
• I wonder if UNLV's contract with CBS Sports had any particular language or an out when it comes to the possibility of CBS assigning the rights to their games to another network. If this turns out to be a crap deal, there should be some legal recourse (injunction and lawsuit) against both Time Warner and CBS. 
• As a DirecTV subscriber, I picked the particular package I have mainly because it included The Mtn. Hopefully I don't have to shell out major money just to get the package that includes the new Time Warner SportsNet - and hope the same for all of you with other providers. 
• New networks mean new personnel, and dopier broadcasters. Hopefully they get don't have clowns calling the game -- that's simply annoying to the educated fan. 

Pray for broadcasting, Runnin' Rebels fans.