Earlier this year, many in the Las Vegas Valley were worried about the future of the Runnin’ Rebels when previous coach Lon Kruger left for Oklahoma. Speculation arose on possible candidates for the coaching position. University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball has become a staple many Vegas fans rely on, as many other teams are not nearly as successful or have as rich of a history.
Around April of this year, former rebel Dave Rice was hired as head coach and basketball fans breathed a little easier as Rice left fellow Mountain West rival BYU . Following this, Rice soon hired his former teammate Stacey Augmon as his 3rd assistant coach. Both Rice and Augmon have links to UNLV’s glory days as each played under legend Jerry Tarkanian, with the championship team in 1990 and the Final Four team in 1991. After that, Rice worked for Tarkanian as an assistant for 11 seasons before departing to join the BYU basketball program. Rice's triumphant return to UNLV reestablishes ties to the Rebs' championship year.
For Rice’s first season as a head coach, and of the Rebels, no one is disappointed. The Rebels are an impressive13-2, beating in late November then-ranked No.1 North Carolina at home and giving fans the unique opportunity to storm the court. Following this, the Rebs beat then-undefeated Illinois (No. 19) in Chicago. The most recent polls deservedly rank UNLV in the top 25 in the nation, giving the Rebels a rank of 20.
Their most recent victory against the Cal Bears (a PAC12 favorite) was convincing to say the least (85-68). The Rebels haven’t started league play yet, but from early indications, they should do quite well. Tonight, they take on the 5-6 Central Arkansas Bears in the Thomas and Mack. The Rebels are undefeated this season at home.
Like the past few home games, celebrated Tarkanian should be in the audience. He currently writes “Shark Bytes,” a collegiate sports blog in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper. So far, Tarkanian is shown at least once on the jumbotron, and fans cheer and applaud each time. There is a great deal of buzz about local high school senior Shabazz Muhammad (the number one recruit in the nation for basketball) and if he will play for the Rebels or not. He has the distinct opportunity to become a legend at home. Whether he sees himself in the bright future of the Rebels, only time will tell.
Sources:
http://espn.go.com/college-sports//basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/view/espnu100/sort/rank/class/2012
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/preview?gameId=313622439
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2439/unlv-rebels
Join the Conversation