Rob Miech

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Analysis: Kruger's roots run deep in Las Vegas: Despite interest from other programs, UNLV coach feels right at home; Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009; Their many charitable endeavors in and around Las Vegas have been rich to Lon and Barb Kruger, and they have found a community that has matched their efforts. It’s one of the many reasons why UNLV fans can count on Kruger being the Rebels’ coach this time next year, in 2015 and 2020.
Kruger: Rebels must 'raise the bar' after conference opener: Coach asks for more effort after close weekend win; Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009; The Rebels have won eight in a row, but a lackluster effort against the Lobos this past weekend sharpened head coach Lon Kruger on Monday. Across the board, UNLV felt fortunate to be undefeated in the Mountain West Conference after Saturday night’s 60-58 league-opening victory over New Mexico.
UNLV hoops notebook: Youngsters help team unwind after close win: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009; Tre’Von Willis stole a ball from one kid. Chace Stanback raised another one to the rim so he could dunk. René Rougeau showed two girls and a boy how to properly stretch on a pink mat.
UNLV hoops notebook: A rude welcome to the MWC: Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009; Tre’Von Willis said all of the UNLV coaches and players, “even the redshirts,” were unhappy about what transpired at the end of a 60-58 victory over New Mexico on Saturday night. It was ugly, he said, but we’ll take it.
Rebels squeeze out 60-58 win to open conference play: Late free-throw misses leave New Mexico with hope until the final seconds; Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009; With 38 seconds remaining against New Mexico, UNLV led by five points, freshman guard Oscar Bellfield walked to the free-throw line and a Thomas & Mack Center crowd started heading for the exits. The fans who stayed were left squirming in their seats until the final buzzer.
UNLV opens conference play tonight against Lobos: Team leader René Rougeau prepping team for Mountain West debut; Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009; During Friday’s practice at the Thomas & Mack Center, René Rougeau spent considerable time informing the greenhorn Rebels what awaits them starting Saturday. The warm-ups are over. The real season starts tonight when the Mountain West Conference schedule begins against New Mexico.
Mountain West: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A glance at each team as the league schedule begins; Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009; It’s a great time of the year, UNLV coach Lon Kruger said after Friday’s practice at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Mountain West Conference schedule begins today, when UNLV (12-2) plays host to New Mexico (9-5) at 7:30 p.m.
UNLV hoops notebook: Handshake or not, Kruger, Pitino still friends: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009; Some have made a big deal about Louisville coach Rick Pitino not shaking UNLV coach Lon Kruger’s hand after the Rebels’ 56-55 victory at Freedom Hall on New Year’s Eve. Kruger isn’t one of them.
Late shot powers UNLV over No. 18 Louisville: Rebels stay perfect on the road in 56-55 win; Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009; LOUISVILLE – UNLV freshman guard Oscar Bellfield finished off 2008 and the 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals by dropping a crystal ball through a net at Freedom Hall.
UNLV hoops notebook: Adams sits, might return Saturday: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009; Wink Adams started rebounding for his UNLV teammates during warm-ups more than an hour before Wednesday night’s game against Louisville at Freedom Hall.
UNLV looking at centers to topple ranked foe: Santee, Massamba want more production against No. 18 Louisville; Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008; LOUISVILLE – Even UNLV’s centers agree that UNLV’s centers will need to be more productive for the Rebels to have success today against 18th-ranked Louisville. Junior starter Darris Santee and freshman reserve Brice Massamba know they will need to be more of a presence against the forest of interior Cardinals.
Rougeau another Plastic Man?: Senior swingman's style reminiscent of UNLV great Augmon's; Monday, Dec. 29, 2008; It is fitting that UNLV senior swingman Rene Rougeau went to Etiwanda High, in Southern California, with Justice Augmon, the son of Stacey Augmon. Jerry Tarkanian, the coach emeritus of Rebels basketball, is one of many who believes Rougeau’s game resembles the versatile and defense-minded Augmon.
UNLV hoops notebook: Adams continues to get back to form: Senior guard hoists several shots following Saturday's practice; abdominal strain improving; Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008; UNLV senior guard Wink Adams took about 100 shots after practice Saturday afternoon and continued to make progress after Tuesday’s injury.
UNLV hoops notebook: Adams still improving, will undergo MRI on Friday: Senior guard still 'very questionable' for Dec. 31 at Louisville; Friday, Dec. 26, 2008; For the second consecutive morning, UNLV senior guard Wink Adams underwent treatments for a lower abdominal strain suffered in Tuesday's 73-60 victory over Southern Utah. And for the second consecutive morning, team trainer Dave Tomchek said Adams' level of discomfort decreased.
Rebels beat T-birds but lose Adams: Senior guard will have test today for strained lower abdominal muscle; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008; Three days after a breath-taking performance against rival Arizona, a Thomas & Mack Center crowd held its breath Tuesday night when UNLV star guard Wink Adams hit the deck.
UNLV hoops notebook: Willis might need shoulder surgery after season: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008; Until Tuesday, UNLV had only experienced a few jammed fingers and other minor bumps and bruises on its injury list.
Extra minutes: UNLV 73, Southern Utah 60: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008; Reaction and analysis from Tuesday night's game.
UNLV looking to avoid letdown against Southern Utah: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008; It isn’t so easy to forget a solid victory over a typically strong national program, to move on and completely concentrate on the next opponent. UNLV doesn’t have to look far for clear evidence of such a pitfall. The Rebels (10-2) hope to take that recent history lesson to heart when they play host to Southern Utah (3-8) at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Mack.
Undefeated Findlay ranked No. 2, but rodent has its number: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008; Findlay College Prep has dispatched all nine of its basketball opponents this season and is ranked second in the latest USA Today Super 25 national high school poll.
UNLV hoops notebook: Wallace relishes role as shooter: Monday, Dec. 22, 2008; It happened in El Paso and Reno, and it has happened in other UNLV basketball games this season.
Extra minutes: UNLV 79, Arizona 64: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008; Reaction and analysis from Saturday's game against Arizona.
UNLV hoops notebook: Well-rounded Rougeau comes up strong: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008; UNLV senior swingman Rene Rougeau continued to display his all-around skills in a 79-64 victory over Arizona on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center. “Whatever I can,” he said. “The little things do matter. I’m happy it went well.”
UNLV mauls rival Wildcats, 79-64: Rebels pull away after Kruger energizes squad in second half; Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008; UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger got the “electric” crowd he had predicted Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center for Arizona.
Level of play 'humbling' for first-year players: Kruger happy with newcomers making transition to Division I; Friday, Dec. 19, 2008; Tre’Von Willis, perhaps the most animated and talkative UNLV basketball player, was downright subdued Thursday at the start of practice inside the Thomas & Mack Center. A quiet, half-court meeting with coach Lon Kruger lasted about 10 minutes as the other Rebels shot and warmed up. It was a one-way conversation. Willis was all ears. Elite Division-I basketball can humble a young man.
Adams back on track during 78-66 win: UNLV knocks off Santa Clara before taking on Arizona this weekend; Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008; Until he drilled a 3-point shot at the end of the first half Wednesday night against Santa Clara, UNLV senior guard Wink Adams had been in a deep freeze from long range. The connection just before halftime gave Adams and the rest of the Rebels some breathing room, with a 14-point cushion, en route to their 78-66 victory over Santa Clara.
UNLV hoops notebook: Rougeau hears second day of Mack cheers: Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008; A day after walking through graduation ceremonies inside the Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV senior swingman Rene Rougeau continued working on his advanced hoops degree.
Extra minutes: UNLV 78, Santa Clara 66: Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008; Reaction and analysis of Wednesday's game against Santa Clara.
Kruger could notch 100th win tonight with Rebels: Longtime staff members say fifth-year coach has changed little over years; Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008; Lon Kruger is the same guy he was as a freshman starting on the Silver Lake (Kan.) High varsity, when Greg Grensing as a fifth-grader watched him play. That’s what Grensing recalled about Kruger, who's on the verge of becoming only the second UNLV basketball coach to win 100 games.
UNLV hoops notebook: Bellfield's slam stuns teammates: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008; Freshman guard Oscar Bellfield pulled off a power slam over UCLA transfer Chace Stanback from the right baseline Tuesday afternoon in practice, stunning UNLV players. Many Rebels’ mouths immediately went “O.”
Kruger closes chapter on book tour: Sales steady for 'Success' with proceeds going to children's charities; Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008; Lon Kruger’s magical World Book Tour concluded last week at a PT’s Pub a short walk from the Thomas & Mack Center. One bourbon, one beer and one book?
UNLV hoops notebook: Rougeau is first in family to graduate: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008; UNLV senior swingman Rene Rougeau isn’t sure how he will feel this afternoon when he becomes the first person in his immediate family to earn a college degree. He does know what will be foremost on his thoughts.
UNLV overcomes sluggish shooting for 70-61 win: Massamba helps lift squad over Western Michigan at the Orleans Arena; Monday, Dec. 15, 2008; UNLV center Brice Massamba left the Orleans Arena on Sunday night wearing a funky white hooded sweatshirt, with aqua, key-lime and mauve cursive letters all over it. He hit some key second-half free throws, and one big layup, that allowed the Rebels to keep a cushion against Western Michigan, and UNLV left the icy arena with a 70-61 victory.
UNLV hoops notebook: Hamga out, Ketchum in: Monday, Dec. 15, 2008; UNLV lost a player when freshman center Beas Hamga was granted his release from the program late last week. It will likely gain one this week when senior walk-on Rob Ketchum dresses for Wednesday night’s game against Santa Clara at the Thomas & Mack Center. He will travel, too.
Extra Minutes: UNLV 70, Western Michigan 61: Monday, Dec. 15, 2008; Analysis of UNLV's win Sunday against Western Michigan.
Rougeau eyeing another breakthrough game: UNLV returns to Orleans Arena to host Western Michigan; Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008; Starting Rene “NeNe” Rougeau at the Orleans Arena one year ago paid immediate dividends for UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger. The Rebels were up 7-0 before Fresno State even got the ball to midcourt, Kruger remembered after practice Saturday morning.
Frustrated at playing time, Hamga departs UNLV: Center leaves without goodbyes after 26 minutes on court this season; Friday, Dec. 12, 2008; A teammate asked UNLV 7-foot center Beas Hamga to autograph a Rebels poster for a friend who is an ardent fan of the basketball squad. “Should I write, ‘Goodbye’?” Hamga replied. Playing only 26 total minutes in five games this season, Hamga had made up his mind to leave Las Vegas, to search for more time on a Division-I basketball court.
Hamga granted release from UNLV: Freshman center appeared in five games this season; Friday, Dec. 12, 2008; Beas Hamga, a 7-foot freshman center from Cameroon, was granted his release from the UNLV basketball program Friday morning.
UNLV's Hamga still handling the hype: Friday, Dec. 12, 2008; Some see UNLV freshman center Beas Hamga sitting on the Rebels’ bench game after game and wonder just how much he’s struggling on the court, in practice, so far away from the stardom that was predicted. Hamga says all he concerns himself with is his own improvement, however incremental, and the expectations of fifth-year UNLV coach Lon Kruger.
UNLV hoops notebook: Adams a finals week fan?: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008; Nothing stresses out a college student quite like finals week. Unless your name is Wink Adams, apparently. The Rebels senior guard has come to embrace the semester-ending week as his time at UNLV draws close to its end. In fact, it makes him feel sentimental if anything.
Even at 7-2, plenty of work to do: Rougeau rates UNLV season so far a C+; Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008; Final exams started early for the UNLV basketball team. At Gate B2 late Sunday morning in the Reno Tahoe International Airport, players met individually with coach Lon Kruger. Assistant coach Lew Hill and strength coach Jason Kabo sat nearby. On the other side of the terminal, the area around another gate for a flight to Las Vegas became packed. At B2, tucked almost out of sight, players sat in a tight area and one-by-one met with Kruger as he called them.
Rougeau powers UNLV past UNR, 64-57: Senior forward's dunk helps Rebels put finishing touches on Wolf Pack; Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008; RENO –- UNLV senior swingman Rene Rougeau worked on his power game all summer. He dunked from the wings with authority in pick-up games and vowed to collect tip-slams, too, this season. Saturday night, in the most hostile environment so far for the Rebels, Rougeau delivered on that promise to spark UNLV in its 64-57 victory over UNR. When he dribbled into the lane with a little more than 5 minutes remaining, Rougeau thought he was Moses.
UNLV-UNR Notebook: Adams gets earful from UNR students: Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008; RENO -- Wink Adams heard the chants and taunts, a few laced with hatred, during his long stretch on the bench in the first half Saturday night at the Lawlor Events Center.
Rebels can be ready for boisterous UNR fans: Adams remembers last meeting as 'physical' and 'intense'; Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008; Only UNLV senior guard Wink Adams knows what the Rebels are getting into, and what they’ll be up against, tonight against UNR in the Lawlor Events Center.
Loose ball drill gets UNLV back to basics: Kruger has players flying across the floor to get their attention; Friday, Dec. 5, 2008; All 6-feet-10 and 255 pounds of Brice Massamba went flying over a baseline Thursday afternoon in the Cox Pavilion practice gym.
Extra Minutes: UNLV 82, Fresno State 76: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008; Analysis and reaction to Wednesday night's game against Fresno State.
UNLV stays perfect on the road: Willis, Santee step up in 82-76 win over Fresno State; Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008; FRESNO – Eighty seconds remained Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center when UNLV coach Lon Kruger switched gears on one of his basic plays. And sophomore Tre’Von Willis, before a crowd that included about 50 friends and relatives, proved his growing value at the point. Nearly every UNLV player and coach agreed that it might have been the best singular play of the Rebels’ season so far.
UNLV hoops notebook: Kruger's words spark halftime turnaround: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008; FRESNO – For at least the second time this season, UNLV coach Lon Kruger did not mince his words to his players at halftime Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State brings a matchup of sibling rivalry: Willis will face older brother with both teams coming off tough losses; Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008; UNLV sophomore point guard Tre’Von Willis knows exactly what Fresno State guard Dwight O’Neil will try to do tonight. “He likes to go right,” said Willis, with a sly smile. “He favors the right a lot. I know that personally.” Because the Bulldogs’ senior floor leader just happens to be Willis’s older brother.
For UNLV's Willis, family a foundation on and off court: Point guard to play opposite his brother, former teammate in Fresno; Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008; UNLV point guard Tre’Von Willis stands with his spine steel straight and keeps solid eye contact with everyone he talks with, just like his mother instilled in him. Even though the 6-foot-4 sophomore hasn’t stood eye-to-eye with 5-5 Andrea McDonald in years.
UNLV hoops notebook: Adams eyeing end of shooting slump: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008; Well after most of his UNLV teammates had left the court Monday afternoon at the Cox Pavilion practice gym, senior guard Wink Adams was beginning to breathe heavily again.