CKK

[unlove]

Really impressed with CKK thus far. Not so much in the results, although the team is doing pretty damn good with a first time head coach at the helm, but I’m impressed with CKK’s intangibles. I really like how he handles himself as a coach and the demeanor he presents publicly and to his team. He acts like a leader, speaks like a leader, exudes confidence but not arrogance, exhibits respect and implicitly demands the same in return. He’s not afraid to get in the face of a ref when deserved nor bench a player (even his best) if he’s not executing the game-plan. He’s engaged at every moment during a game and involved in drawing up plays in the huddle. There’s no deer in the headlights look (ala Rice) during pressure moments. He clearly has the eyes and ears of his players and they listen intently to his guidance. He’s young and will surely have some flaws (as we all do) but what I’ve seen so far is very, very encouraging. The results thus far reinforce these intangibles and evidence that we may indeed have a good young coach on our hands. 🙏🏼

 

[Rebel1986]

He spent a lifetime learning from his dad, and it shows!

 

[JTthe2nd]

I really hope CKK is the guy to lead the Rebels back to national relevance. Players these days are an enigma when it comes to getting them to buy in and keeping them motivated so it's really impressive what CKK has done with a bunch of guys who never played with each other until this year.

 

[khokhol8]

The team keeps getting better and that is a sign of a good/great coach.

 

[jdlr33]

From a distance, He looks like the type that commands respect by building relationships and the consistency and effectiveness of his actions over time rather than trying to claim respect with some over-the-top forceful personality / charisma display, etc... The forceful charisma approach can work if you have the personality for it, but some of the best leaders I've ever been involved with had the quiet-confident-respectful-effective-consistent approach, so I believe more strongly in that approach than the gravitas approach. It kind of reminds me of tark in some ways.

 

[Rebel1986]

He actually reminds me of his dad!

 

[Rebel_Luv]

He actually reminds me of his dad!

Like u think??LOL

 

[VegasKC SDM]

Here's my assessment of CKK and some questions (a little long).

Can't praise Coach Kevin and the staff enough for the job they have done this year. The roster he inherited from Otz was unathletic and largely not even mid-level players in the MWC. Stick with them, and we're competing with SJSt and AFA at the bottom, and Bryce for sure leaves. With the Collins and Kaluma commitments derailed, the future was looking pretty crappy. When you have to light the dynamite, blow up the roster, and bring in 10 new faces, sometimes the results can be scary. It's high risk. It's volitile. Coach Kevin and staff have done a brilliant job managing this and putting it together. Honestly, I was HOPING for 15 wins before the season but expecting 12. I can't believe we have a shot at 20 wins and playing in some kind of post-season. We are legitamately a top 90 team. That's incredible. He really has a case for MWC COY, but that frequently goes to the best record.

The staff has instilled a great culture within the program. The kids work and play really hard. The kids root for each other. I loved the article in the LVSun where Bryce's teammates are lobbying for him as MWC POY. Not sure we would've seen that in several years past even if we had a candidate.

The style of play/system under this coach is more Vegas than anything the last two HCs did or Rice tried to do. Watching Menzies ball, I wanted to gouge my eyes out with a fork. Otz had me excited for a hot minute the first season, but his style didn't connect with the city or the past. He was only partially engaged. Overall his recruiting was a fail here. Thank heavens for ISU! It wasn't a fit.

On the player development side, almost each player has shown incremental strides of improvement throughout the season. Collectively, they have steadily developed as a unit. I imagine the retention rate of players that can return, sans Bryce (NBA), will be close to 80%. It's a healthy environment conducive to growth.

I never considered Bryce an NBA prospect when he "tested the waters". It's obvious that he has taken the feedback and put in a ton of work. His mentality has grown to a very high level. Big credit to Bryce, and a very good coach/staff for putting this possibilty together for him to get into the league. I'm starting to believe he will contribute at the next level as a Jordan Clarkson-type scoring option off of the bench. I think Bryce's game fits the NBA more than the college game too, especially if his shooting improves a smidge more. He needs a proper sendoff for sticking through three regimes. He should hear the "M-V-P" chant when at the foul line these last two home games and fans should make posters for him senior night. He's shown true grit! He deserves it!

Only thing that remains to be seen is Kruger's long term recruiting philosophy and execution. I trust the staff though and believe they know exactly what to do. I know really good recruits/transfers have to love what they've seen this year. Even losing Bryce, we are still much better off going into this off-season than a year ago. We have what feels like a program being established.

Question for you diehards: In worrying if other bigtime Universities see what we've got going on here...Do you believe in Kevin like I do? If you were the AD, when is the right time to address a raise, extention, increased buyout for the current coach and staff? Is now (or right after the season) too soon? Wait to see how things go year 2? What would you like to see? The coach and staff have proven a lot in a short period of time. We are getting value over what we are paying him/staff, imho. It's not his fault either that Vegas is asleep on the program. They are waking up so slowly. Kevin will obviously have stronger ties to stay at UNLV due to past connections, family living in Vegas, and UNLV giving him his HC shot. Just hope managing him, his contract situation, and being on the front foot to keep him happy here prevents him from having eyes on the CBB landscape. Our wonderful administrations have dropped the ball plenty in the past. This is one that I REALLY don't want them to drop the ball on.

 

[unlv7163]

He’s been impressive for sure. Curious how relying so much on transfers will do long term though his dad had a successful career doing it. Would personally prefer that he mixes in a few more HS kids, but not really a huge deal. Very optimistic that he can lead us to multiple NCAA tourney appearances and a return to the top 25.

 

[rebel5280]

PG, C and a Wing scorer from HS every other year... The rest can be transfer portal. If nothing else Kruger has shown that he can handle a large number of transfers and compete. A month ago I was not sure about Kevin but if he somehow competes in the last 3 games and goes 2-1 to finish the season, you have to be excited for the possibility of 3 in March!

 

[unlv91]

I’m not buying into the hype until after the MWCT

 

[unlove]

Here's my assessment of CKK and some questions (a little long).

Can't praise Coach Kevin and the staff enough for the job they have done this year. The roster he inherited from Otz was unathletic and largely not even mid-level players in the MWC. Stick with them, and we're competing with SJSt and AFA at the bottom, and Bryce for sure leaves. With the Collins and Kaluma commitments derailed, the future was looking pretty crappy. When you have to light the dynamite, blow up the roster, and bring in 10 new faces, sometimes the results can be scary. It's high risk. It's volitile. Coach Kevin and staff have done a brilliant job managing this and putting it together. Honestly, I was HOPING for 15 wins before the season but expecting 12. I can't believe we have a shot at 20 wins and playing in some kind of post-season. We are legitamately a top 90 team. That's incredible. He really has a case for MWC COY, but that frequently goes to the best record.

The staff has instilled a great culture within the program. The kids work and play really hard. The kids root for each other. I loved the article in the LVSun where Bryce's teammates are lobbying for him as MWC POY. Not sure we would've seen that in several years past even if we had a candidate.

The style of play/system under this coach is more Vegas than anything the last two HCs did or Rice tried to do. Watching Menzies ball, I wanted to gouge my eyes out with a fork. Otz had me excited for a hot minute the first season, but his style didn't connect with the city or the past. He was only partially engaged. Overall his recruiting was a fail here. Thank heavens for ISU! It wasn't a fit.

On the player development side, almost each player has shown incremental strides of improvement throughout the season. Collectively, they have steadily developed as a unit. I imagine the retention rate of players that can return, sans Bryce (NBA), will be close to 80%. It's a healthy environment conducive to growth.

I never considered Bryce an NBA prospect when he "tested the waters". It's obvious that he has taken the feedback and put in a ton of work. His mentality has grown to a very high level. Big credit to Bryce, and a very good coach/staff for putting this possibilty together for him to get into the league. I'm starting to believe he will contribute at the next level as a Jordan Clarkson-type scoring option off of the bench. I think Bryce's game fits the NBA more than the college game too, especially if his shooting improves a smidge more. He needs a proper sendoff for sticking through three regimes. He should hear the "M-V-P" chant when at the foul line these last two home games and fans should make posters for him senior night. He's shown true grit! He deserves it!

Only thing that remains to be seen is Kruger's long term recruiting philosophy and execution. I trust the staff though and believe they know exactly what to do. I know really good recruits/transfers have to love what they've seen this year. Even losing Bryce, we are still much better off going into this off-season than a year ago. We have what feels like a program being established.

Question for you diehards: In worrying if other bigtime Universities see what we've got going on here...Do you believe in Kevin like I do? If you were the AD, when is the right time to address a raise, extention, increased buyout for the current coach and staff? Is now (or right after the season) too soon? Wait to see how things go year 2? What would you like to see? The coach and staff have proven a lot in a short period of time. We are getting value over what we are paying him/staff, imho. It's not his fault either that Vegas is asleep on the program. They are waking up so slowly. Kevin will obviously have stronger ties to stay at UNLV due to past connections, family living in Vegas, and UNLV giving him his HC shot. Just hope managing him, his contract situation, and being on the front foot to keep him happy here prevents him from having eyes on the CBB landscape. Our wonderful administrations have dropped the ball plenty in the past. This is one that I REALLY don't want them to drop the ball on.

Great analysis and agree with all of it. CKK has been a breath of fresh air when we’ve had a series of coaches with halitosis. I don’t want to over-hype him bc he’s still very young and bound to make some missteps and we’re bound to have some disappointments along the way but more and more I feel he has a plan and knows how to execute it and the program will continue to improve overall. Also excited bc we will actually have a shot at keeping him here if/when a P5 school comes calling. He may prove to be like his dad and be a nomad but my sense is he will be ours to lose. Also expect his recruiting to improve with the success this year (this far).

 

[cducker68]

Hey look I realize it was only a sweet 16 run but he carried this team on his shoulders then. He has the know-how and the passion to lead this team.. he came to play for his dad and he has advice from his dad when he ever needs it... if this spills over to the players he's coaching and can recruit great.Stop these tark references. He was not only a legend but a god around here. That's never happening again.. I say give KK the time he needs. Main concern is he has to win ,create enthusiasm to get asses in the seats.