Does what happened in Canada stay in Canada? Lessons learned

The Runnin' Rebels benefited by playing their once-every-four-year tour abroad - but it was without 3 key pieces, 2 of which we know know will suit up during the 2012-13 season. Those two, Khem Birch and Anthony Bennett also figure to be collecting major minutes if not starting. So, the trip was a good bonding experience, a good way to assess how far the team needs to go, and a good chance to see the new-comers. Can anything really be gleaned from the north-of-the-border trip, or should it all be discarded as merely practice?

Ready now: Savon Goodman and Katin Reinhardt are ready for prime time

These two true freshman, one from Philadelphia and the other from California, are ready to play staring roles in Las Vegas. Yes, there were inferior teams on the courts in Canada - but these players shined, where as some others did not. Based upon first impressions only, Goodman should back up Bennett or Moser, and Reinhardt should share minutes with Marshall and Hawkins, or Dejean-Jones.

System different? Where did the assists go?

UNLV was a force to be reckoned with last season, in large part because of the high number of assists regularly tallied. Naturally, trying to speed the tempo and play Runnin' Rebels basketball means quick outlet passes post-rebound, and not a lot of taking the ball and working 1-on-1 with the defense. Surprisingly, this statistic stood out - 43 total assists during the trip, the opponents notched 41. As a matter of comparison, remember that romp we had at home last season against the University of Central Arkansas? The Runnin' Rebels had 40 assists in that game alone. Link In fact, in the 35 games played last season the Rebels averaged 17.6 assists per game. In the Canada trip, the Rebels averaged slightly more than 10. Not really running, at least not yet. Again, this is really preliminary stuff and speculation, but I really hope to see games where we are back to nearly 20 assists per game, if not more.

Don't be alarmed about Mike Moser

So Moser was a freak of nature for at least one half of the season in 2011-12, and then above average to finish it out. In Canada, he finished tied for 4th leading scorer, tied for 4th in rebounds, and his turnovers we off the charts. Anyone who has watched Mike Moser would be disappointed, hell I'm sure Mike Moser is disappointed - but it will come together. All of the above stats can be explained because the point of the trip in large part was to incorporate and get newer players playing time. The only stat that causes a person to scratch their head is the turnovers.. hopefully that stays in Canada.

Who should redshirt?

Well, we already know Khem Birch is stuck with a fall redshirt, and have recently learned that Roscoe Smith will be out all year. Who should burn a year now and then make the most of next season and beyond? The easy choices are DaQuan Cook and Demetris Morant. While the Rebs aren't loaded with depth at the PG position, DaQuan could really benefit by sitting this year out and filling in for Anthony Marshall when he graduates after this season. If not, I'm afraid he'll be lucky to get Reggie Smith type of minutes -- which isn't particularly useful or confidence building. Demetris Morant is stuck at a loaded position, and he could benefit tremendously by being an understudy to the bigs we currently have. When that log jam recedes, he can join Roscoe Smith on the court next year and make big things happen.

The fans are back and more dedicated

This season has everything going for it to be a special one, and people want to buy into that. Season ticket sales are off the charts, and the Runnin' Rebels are going to run again if Coach Rice has his way. The way I know that basketball will be more on the front burner of most Las Vegan's minds this fall and spring, is in traffic. In the build up to the Canada trip, as well as throughout the trip Rebel Reign had quite a lot of visitors -- comparative type traffic as a regular season game would bring last year. Also, got quite a few emails from loyal fans throughout the exhibition games. Its always a good time to be a Rebel fan, just tune in, show up, and digest the wins.

Two down eh? Runnin' Rebels strong in beginning of Canada tour

With a pair of weekend games out of  the way, the Runnin' Rebels Canada tour is halfway over, and two more games remain. The first two games gave Coach Rice a way to test his team in an opponent's gym and with a raucous crowd. The first game, against Canada's best team, was close. The second, not so close. As a UNLV fan you have to be optimistic about this team and how good they can be when they've played together a bit more - and have added both Canadian bigs. Here's what we know so far.

Accounts of the games:

There's no point in me recapping the games for you, that's already been done well in several places. 

UNLV Athletics Recap of Game 1 vs. Carleton

LVRJ Recap of Game 1 vs. Carleton

LV Sun Recap of Game 1 vs. Carleton
Entire Game 1 Video

UNLV Athletics Recap of Game 2 vs. Ottawa

LVRJ Recap of Game 2 vs. Ottawa

LV Sun Recap of Game 2 vs. Ottawa

Entire game 2 video

What I would like to do is point out a few things that I think are important, or have not been fully pointed out elsewhere. I, as everyone should, take into full account that these are very premature preseason games and what can be gleaned from them must be taken with several grains of salt. 

• In the first non-scrimmage action for the Runnin' Rebels, they proved that they could tough out a win against a team that was hot from behind the line. They did so having traveled as far as they might at any part of the season, and facing a whole host of difficulties (late flight, late night fire alarm). 

• Its nice to see the Rebels finish out the game and grit out the win by-any-means-necessary, in contrast to how the season ended last year. That said, the 2011-12 season began in a similar fashion as can be seen in these exhibition games - different people stepping up on a given night and giving the other team headaches. 

• Everyone should be excited that the new additions of Brice Dejean-Jones and Katin Reinhardt have tempered the losses of Oscar Bellfield and Chace Stanback. Although the two newcomers - sophomore and freshman respectively are "new" to the Rebels, its an amazing feat to be able to step into the gap filled by such capable seniors as the ones we lost. 

• The leaned down Quintrell Thomas has a very good and smooth look about his game. I'm expecting at least early success from him in a similar way that Brice Massamba had a breakout senior season (ironic that both lost a ton of weight before their senior seasons?)

• Not the three point jacking team of years past - from the Lon Kruger days into Coach Rice's first season, the Runnin' Rebels jacked up a substantial amount of three pointers which when they went in got us past the likes of the Tarheels, but when they didn't made us look like a tired/lazy team who was afraid to drive to the hole. What's interesting in these two games is that UNLV attempted 126 field goals, with a make percentage of 48%. Of those 126 field goals, only 34 were 3 point attempts. On threes, the Rebels were 44%. So, 27% of shots are threes, and the Rebels are shooting a high percentage regardless of shot. Now, this means although the Rebels are making a substantial portion of the three point shots - they may be doing so because they are being more selective about it. i.e. haphazardly jacking up threes tends to lower the percentage. Bravo, this is a commendable change. 

• We're dominating our opponents in these categories: points per game, field goal percentage, three point field goal percentage, free throw attempts, rebounds, steals, and blocks. Care to be greedy and want it all? It may suprise some because of the brand of basketball the Rebels have played that in the two exhibiton games the opponents have a slight edge in assists, as well as turnover ratio and actual turnovers. Nobody said you had to dominate all categories to win a game, but the opponent out assisting the Rebels is a bit of a change. 

• New guys setting the tone: In the first two games we've seen three new players dominate in scoring - Katin Reinhardt in the first game, and then in the second Brice Dejean-Jones and Savon Goodman. All new players, two of them freshman!

• Sloppy play - only Katin Reinhardt and Demetris Morant have more assists than turnovers. We get it, its way before the season and the guys haven't played together before. Still, was expecting slightly better from Dejean-Jones, Moser, and Marshall. 

• Most not in foul trouble - Only Bryce Dejean-Jones has been plagued with foul trouble, racking up 8 total fouls in two games. Bryce leads all players in total points, so its not like he's a tremendous liability out there. Still - moving forward he'll need to learn how to keep his hands to himself or be on the bench more than he would like. But great job to everyone else by not being foul prone. 

• Final point - we're winning, and UNLV athletics as well as the local media are doing their best to keep the fanbase engaged and updated. Nicely done. 

Northern Exposure: UNLV Ballin' in Canada - how to watch

Update 8/19/12 9am - Link to taped video of UNLV vs. Carlton from Saturday

Basketball has officially commenced, and this year it starts with an international trip to the homeland of two UNLV players, Khem Birch and Anthony Bennett. Instead of a late Saturday update, Rebel Reign will feature observations from the game vs. Ottawa on Sunday. Here is a link which you can stream the game on your computer, Sunday at 11am Pacific Time for FREE!

UNLV Athletics has said that they will try to record video of all the games that are played in Canada, and have them available on the UNLVREBELS.COM website as soon as they can after the games, likely later those evenings. For the most updated information from  UNLV Athletics, click here.

When those videos are available, we will link you to them, and share our own observations. Its an exciting week for Runnin' Rebel basketball. Come back Sunday night for thoughts on Sunday's game.

Updated game schedule:
Saturday, Aug. 18 vs. Carleton (7 p.m. ET) – at Carleton in Ottawa
Sunday, Aug. 19 vs. Ottawa (2 p.m. ET) – at Ottawa
Monday, Aug. 20 vs. Laval (7 p.m. ET) – at McGill in Montreal
Tuesday, Aug. 21 vs. McGill (7 p.m. ET) – at McGill in Montreal

Practice at Immaculata Catholic High School in Ottawa courtesy of @UNLVSid twitter

Video below courtesy of Steve Guiremand at MyLVSports.com

Video above courtesy of UNLV Athletics