UNLV Rebels

By Rob Miech · August 28, 2008 · 8:14 AM

Wondering how UNLV’s new basketball team has been looking during pick-up games over the past month? Curious how the June trip to Australia helped the team bond?

Interested in how senior forward Rene Rougeau became such a good bowler?

Ask him Friday, when he hosts a chat at 1 p.m. in his live chat area at UNLVRebels.com.

Rougeau is a fantastic story, a walk-on who earned a scholarship on the eve of the team’s long flight to Sydney in late June.

Last season, he led the team with 6.2 rebounds a game. He also blocked more shots than any other Rebel, all the while mostly playing out of position at power forward.

Early on, coach Lon Kruger benched 6-foot-8 post man Matt Shaw in favor of Rougeau, who did not disappoint in 27 starts. His 50.8-percent shooting touch led the starters, too.

Who to thank? How about Rougeau’s father, who taught Rene discipline and drive at an early age by rising early and driving a bus in and around Los Angeles.

Ask Rene about the old man. Or about the thrill of his hard work resulting in that scholarship just before the plane left for Oz. Or about his penmanship; he provided a regular blog to the Sun from Australia that proved to be very popular.

He lives with walk-on forward Rob Ketchum, who claims to have an even record against Rougeau in their one-on-one games. Ask Rougeau if that is valid.

Ask him about the new-look Rebels. All of a sudden, the squad finally has a true low-post presence with 7-footer Beas Hamga, Brice Massamba and Darris Santee. Ask him to review each of those interior players.

And Rougeau supposedly has had some jousting sessions with new point guard Tre’Von Willis. Have those been playful or has some friction developed.

Finally, ask Rougeau about developing into a leader.

And, remember, have fun.