nucleus

[j. spilotro]

Can't really defend what happened with Air Force.
It was the worst team we have played in the NET ( only D1 teams count). And got boatraced by 30 at home.

Hard to justify keeping him now. 1-3 in quad 4. That is really bad.

As for evidence of substance? He did have some solid wins this year, but losing this last one just shows us that we didn't haven't fully learned from his mistakes.

I do think this team is talented enough to win some more big games. But we could win out now and miss the tournament.

So its back to 3 games in March. I thought we had more of an at large chance, but that door is now closed.

I stand by my statement that we have more than unreasonable fans, also that most of our fans are gone forever. We basically have to build from scratch at this point, which will limit who we can get as the next coach.

Before the solid wins were unacceptable losses. Multiple. The tone was set right out of the gate. How many home losses do we have this year? 5 maybe? That in itself is a solid sign. So hitting a good stretch doesn’t negate what happened previously, though some justify eliminating it from memory.

We hope it’s 3 in March but they’ll have to heat up and not have any more unexpected slip ups for that otherwise it’s 4 in March, which translates to “shitty season”….

I know pretty much everyone else but the coach lovers club wants KK gone. If there isn’t a strong plan in place with a strong, not a similar, hire available, I’m not in favor of dumping him. UNLV’s had a recent history of hiring worse than previously and that’s something we don’t need.

That wouldn’t give me confidence next year in KK’s ability to get things done … but I don’t think you make a change unless you can significantly upgrade. And not for player retainment (never know who is going to bolt regardless) because it’s not like recruiting is a strong suit. I just think if you can’t upgrade it across the board, don’t make the move. You aren’t going to lose more fans, we’ve been rock bottom …

 

[j. spilotro]

Before the solid wins were unacceptable losses. Multiple. The tone was set right out of the gate. How many home losses do we have this year? 5 maybe? That in itself is a solid sign. So hitting a good stretch doesn’t negate what happened previously, though some justify eliminating it from memory.

We hope it’s 3 in March but they’ll have to heat up and not have any more unexpected slip ups for that otherwise it’s 4 in March, which translates to “shitty season”….

I know pretty much everyone else but the coach lovers club wants KK gone. If there isn’t a strong plan in place with a strong, not a similar, hire available, I’m not in favor of dumping him. UNLV’s had a recent history of hiring worse than previously and that’s something we don’t need.

That wouldn’t give me confidence next year in KK’s ability to get things done … but I don’t think you make a change unless you can significantly upgrade. And not for player retainment (never know who is going to bolt regardless) because it’s not like recruiting is a strong suit. I just think if you can’t upgrade it across the board, don’t make the move. You aren’t going to lose more fans, we’ve been rock bottom …

But I see the blame being placed on everything but the real issues … it’s not admins fault, it’s the fans. It’s not the coaches fault, it’s the refs. It’s not the teams fault, it’s the injuries ….

 

[Masked_rebel]

Thats a pretty solid assessment. I think most would like to see a change because we hope that the AD is competent and has a good list of viable candidates hes been vetting in private to take an opening. But if were talking about hiring another young coach with little experience or resume to their name, then why not keep CKK and at least hope that he keeps the good parts of the band together for next year and learns from his past years. I do think weve seen a change in defensive philosophy over last years team that got absolutely fried and AFA is a blip this year compared to the truth, but that doesnt mean its a solid change... Hopefully, you grow, you learn, you adapt, and you get better.

 

[LVRebel2000]

Thats a pretty solid assessment. I think most would like to see a change because we hope that the AD is competent and has a good list of viable candidates hes been vetting in private to take an opening. But if were talking about hiring another young coach with little experience or resume to their name, then why not keep CKK and at least hope that he keeps the good parts of the band together for next year and learns from his past years. I do think weve seen a change in defensive philosophy over last years team that got absolutely fried and AFA is a blip this year compared to the truth, but that doesnt mean its a solid change... Hopefully, you grow, you learn, you adapt, and you get better.

Exactly. If we don't have the cash, or the ability for whatever reason to bring in a difference maker, then you may as well give him another year.

 

[unlove]

Exactly. If we don't have the cash, or the ability for whatever reason to bring in a difference maker, then you may as well give him another year.

That’s what I’ve been trying to articulate. I haven’t seen a single post wanting to keep CKK under any circumstance. The opposite is true. Every post would like to see a change. The difference is whether it’s an emotional “FIRE HIM!!!!!!!” or a realistic take on our actual options. Some of those options do in fact raise a fair question of whether sticking with what we have is a better path forward, even if just for the next year. Definitely not the preferred alternative, but I’d rather have a level-headed AD in place who make that distinction than one who makes a rash firing without have done his (or hers) due diligence and plan accordingly.

 

[bcvegaspt]

That’s what I’ve been trying to articulate. I haven’t seen a single post wanting to keep CKK under any circumstance. The opposite is true.

I made an entire thread about why he needs to be retained. Is my voice not heard?

 

[unlove]

I made an entire thread about why he needs to be retained. Is my voice not heard?

I stand corrected. A thousand apologies!

 

[LocoRebel]

I didnt give this a ton of thought and i havent watched a full game beginning to end in conference play other than BSU game, I'd really like to see Thomas, Whaley, and Hicks next year. Those are the priority to me. Nowell welcome too

 

[unlove]

CKK and staff don’t seem to properly utilize the players they have, often sitting first year players, freshman and even some transfers, only to watch them move on to another program and flourish. Whaley starts getting minutes when Hill goes down and he performs. Hicks gets minutes with JW going down and he performs. Meanwhile they tend to stick with upperclassmen to a fault (JW and JJ) when they under-perform. I’ve been a hard core Rebel fan since the 80s but admittedly a casual basketball fan in the sense of understanding the Xs & Os, and even I can see the talent of some of these guys and the need to find them more game time without the necessity of an injury to another player. I’d chalk it up to CKK being a young coach but for having seen Lon do it as well. I can only assume there’s some value to it that I don’t understand as one who never played organized basketball. But from a fan perspective it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. What am I missing??

 

[mwsn7022012]

CKK and staff don’t seem to properly utilize the players they have, often sitting first year players, freshman and even some transfers, only to watch them move on to another program and flourish. Whaley starts getting minutes when Hill goes down and he performs. Hicks gets minutes with JW going down and he performs. Meanwhile they tend to stick with upperclassmen to a fault (JW and JJ) when they under-perform. I’ve been a hard core Rebel fan since the 80s but admittedly a casual basketball fan in the sense of understanding the Xs & Os, and even I can see the talent of some of these guys and the need to find them more game time without the necessity of an injury to another player. I’d chalk it up to CKK being a young coach but for having seen Lon do it as well. I can only assume there’s some value to it that I don’t understand as one who never played organized basketball. But from a fan perspective it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. What am I missing??

You’re not missing anything. Some coaches are scared to play their bench.

 

[rebelzzz]

There are 3-4 players i would like to see return next year but if getting rid off KK and staff means we lose everybody on the team and we start from scratch then let's start from scratch. KK and staff have only proven one thing in there time at UNLV and that is that they are in over their heads.
Hopefully we keep the players that can help UNLV but either way I sure hope Harper can hire a coach that can turn things around for UNLV basketball. I am tired of being the laughing joke of the MWC

 

[Rebel1986]

There are 3-4 players i would like to see return next year but if getting rid off KK and staff means we lose everybody on the team and we start from scratch then let's start from scratch. KK and staff have only proven one thing in there time at UNLV and that is that they are in over their heads.
Hopefully we keep the players that can help UNLV but either way I sure hope Harper can hire a coach that can turn things around for UNLV basketball. I am tired of being the laughing joke of the MWC

Not the laughing joke of the conference, just irrelevant, which is worse!

 

[WarthogRebel]

It's an absolute crime to be talking about NEXT YEARS LINEUP so soon!!!!!!!!!

 

[Couev]

Doesn't matter what the core is right now for next year because the odds of Kevin being retained are almost zero, and most of the returning players will be looking for new homes.

 

[unlove]

That may depend upon who’s the new coach and how Harp handles the players (and their handlers). With the portal today ADs need to maneuver to retain key players as well as land a quality coach, ideally with one complimenting the other. As we all know in MBB just a couple players can make a huge difference for a team. I suspect there are very private conversations occurring in this regard.

 

[unlv91]

Report: Tim Miles as the new UNLV men’s basketball coach. (Sarcasm)

 

[mwsn7022012]

Report: Tim Miles as the new UNLV men’s basketball coach. (Sarcasm)

I really think Russell Turner would do well here. Same with Joe Pasternack.

 

[Rebel1986]

I am all in for John Wooden!

 

[mwsn7022012]

 

[WarthogRebel]

I really think Russell Turner would do well here. Same with Joe Pasternack.

We won't approach either for different reasons. Turner has past, very public Homophobic issues and UNLV won't touch that. Pasternak signed a 5 - year deal, 9 months ago, and we won't pay that kind of buyout.

 

[Masked_rebel]

View embedded media

If Minnesota is going to hire someone, Id think Dutch would be their top and major target this round... He was flirting with them in the past and frankly hes taken SDSU as far as they can go. It wouldnt surprise me to see them make a massive push to hire him.
As for if Muss might be interested in other jobs, coming to Vegas would be full entertainment value for facing UNR each year.

 

[billd99s]

Kruger spoke about players pouting and Hicks was one who didn't. I think this stems from transfers who played under a different system and conference underestimating the other team because they won so often in the past. The attitude comes from players seeing shots missed, defensive assignments missed and nothing done about it. This stems from poor conditioning or conditioning coach and unreasonable belief that seniors are better than younger guys. Time for a change in coaches not necessarily the team approach to competitive practices.

 

[billd99s]

As you know, I wanted Hicks, Nowell, and DJ to be the starting guards all season. We need speed and free flowing offense not a Big 12 clone offense that does not include screens, cutting back door etc.

 

[LVRebel2000]

As you know, I wanted Hicks, Nowell, and DJ to be the starting guards all season. We need speed and free flowing offense not a Big 12 clone offense that does not include screens, cutting back door etc.

Speaking of Nowell, what's the story with him? I know he was hurt for a long time. Is the injury still slowing him down? Or is he just not getting minutes for some other reason?

 

[j. spilotro]

Speaking of Nowell, what's the story with him? I know he was hurt for a long time. Is the injury still slowing him down? Or is he just not getting minutes for some other reason?

Yeah, his return was supposed to be a tremendous boost, he was a reason they struggled, one of the primary reasons UNLV never got off the ground.

But even since he returned, non-factor. Just like last year; occasional glimpses, a couple decent games but in large part, a non-factor.

I’m a little surprised with such little burn, but was told he was strictly an auxiliary player, not a workhorse, even heading into the year healthy.

So maybe he is what he is and nothing more than that? I haven’t heard anything specifically though.

 

[rebel5280]

Nowell just doesn’t seem to be effective at all on offense but maybe that’s court time or something else. He just hasn’t turned the corner like Whaley or even to a lesser extent like Hicks!

 

[billd99s]

Nowell just doesn’t seem to be effective at all on offense but maybe that’s court time or something else. He just hasn’t turned the corner like Whaley or even to a lesser extent like Hicks!

Yes, it's the offense. His passing skills don't fit into Kruger's style of shoot the three or dump it to a big man who can't shoot a fifteen footer just layups. He needs to dink and dive just like Brooklyn and JD. He would be just fine in Zag's passing game offense.

 

[bcvegaspt]

Nowell didn't fit into UofA and he's not fitting in his two years here. Maybe this one isn't on Kruger.

 

[Rebel_Luv]

Nowell didn't fit into UofA and he's not fitting in his two years here. Maybe this one isn't on Kruger.

Not that he's a great player, but he has a fairly high ceiling.. There was a reason why he was highly rated out of high school. But apparently The mental aspect is just not there.

 

[Couev]

If you want young guys worthy of getting minutes, you have to give them minutes. Practice lets you build trust with the coach, but until you get in game run you almost never build that trust with your teammates and yourself. Kruger wouldn't be the only coach ever to have a short bench, and if your talent and roster construction is good then I actually prefer running with a short bench by the end of the year. Tark really only went deeper than 8 for specialists (and maybe if he got H Waldman more run during the season, we don't look so lost after GA fouled out against Duke--but that's hindsight talking).

Nowell and Hall both started to look good at the end of the year when, because of injuries, they had to start getting consistent minutes. Hell, even Karl Jones has looked like he's had a pulse this year with a little more time in the game.

Maybe I'd be less annoyed with Kevin's short bench if we didn't run into constant injury problems to starters every year--maybe we need someone in our sports medicine or strength and conditioning program to be upgraded.

 

[j. spilotro]

Not that he's a great player, but he has a fairly high ceiling.. There was a reason why he was highly rated out of high school. But apparently The mental aspect is just not there.

Beas was a five star out of high school. Dwayne was a 4.

 

[Rebel_Luv]

Beas was a five star out of high school. Dwayne was a 4.

The kid Has all the tools you would want in a player. Basically, I'm saying he Should be having more of an impact than sitting on the bench.

 

[unlove]

BSU beat UNM at UNM last night. This conf is so ripe for the taking. UNLV beat the top 3 teams as the standings are this morning - USU, BSU & UNM (yes we have an L against USU but we beat that team but for two refs very poor (intentional?) decisions). Point is UNLV still has its destiny in its own hands. When they put forth the effort of which they’re fully capable, they can make a legit run in the MWCT. Flip side is they lost -- correction, for boat-raced — to the last place team (it’s only conf win!). UNLV can just as easily get bounced in the first game. I’m tired of the “we just didn’t come out ready to play” excuse. We’ve got 5th yr seniors. They either want to be in the Dance their last year or not. This team has proven it can play with anyone in this conf. MWCT is on their home court. I’d love for Rebel fans to fill the Mack and support a run, but will the team show up? Will the coaching staff have them properly prepared??

 

[Rebel1986]

BSU beat UNM at UNM last night. This conf is so ripe for the taking. UNLV beat the top 3 teams as the standings are this morning - USU, BSU & UNM (yes we have an L against USU but we beat that team but for two refs very poor (intentional?) decisions). Point is UNLV still has its destiny in its own hands. When they put forth the effort of which they’re fully capable, they can make a legit run in the MWCT. Flip side is they lost -- correction, for boat-raced — to the last place team (it’s only conf win!). UNLV can just as easily get bounced in the first game. I’m tired of the “we just didn’t come out ready to play” excuse. We’ve got 5th yr seniors. They either want to be in the Dance their last year or not. This team has proven it can play with anyone in this conf. MWCT is on their home court. I’d love for Rebel fans to fill the Mack and support a run, but will the team show up? Will the coaching staff have them properly prepared??

No doubt when UNLV puts forth the effort of which they are capable, that they can win, but how often does UNLV play to that level for more than one game in a row?

 

[j. spilotro]

BSU beat UNM at UNM last night. This conf is so ripe for the taking. UNLV beat the top 3 teams as the standings are this morning - USU, BSU & UNM (yes we have an L against USU but we beat that team but for two refs very poor (intentional?) decisions). Point is UNLV still has its destiny in its own hands. When they put forth the effort of which they’re fully capable, they can make a legit run in the MWCT. Flip side is they lost -- correction, for boat-raced — to the last place team (it’s only conf win!). UNLV can just as easily get bounced in the first game. I’m tired of the “we just didn’t come out ready to play” excuse. We’ve got 5th yr seniors. They either want to be in the Dance their last year or not. This team has proven it can play with anyone in this conf. MWCT is on their home court. I’d love for Rebel fans to fill the Mack and support a run, but will the team show up? Will the coaching staff have them properly prepared??

UNM has a great record but anybody that thinks that are legit “good”, I don’t know what you’re seeing. They may kick our ass in the PIT, but that won’t make them good. And no, not bragging about UNLV and saying they don’t have flaws, the Rebels have a lot. But UNM does too. And their leader is temperamental and mouthy, that can work against them sometimes, it sure did vs us. I just don’t see them stable at all. I haven’t seen anything “special” about their play this year.

I think they’re like pretty much everyone else NOT on the bottom half of the league. Potential to win the league but nothing so strong where they are a shoo in. Can lose to middling teams like us, CAN beat top teams … that’s why I said I think this league might cannabilize itself out of a bid. Each of these top 5 teams is going to take a couple of relatively unexpected bites from somebody and they’ll give them back.

It makes the league title chase more exciting when you don’t have a 16-2 team followed by a 13-5 team and two 12-6 teams. From an entertainment perspective, it’s great.

 

[unlove]

UNM has a great record but anybody that thinks that are legit “good”, I don’t know what you’re seeing. They may kick our ass in the PIT, but that won’t make them good. And no, not bragging about UNLV and saying they don’t have flaws, the Rebels have a lot. But UNM does too. And their leader is temperamental and mouthy, that can work against them sometimes, it sure did vs us. I just don’t see them stable at all. I haven’t seen anything “special” about their play this year.

I think they’re like pretty much everyone else NOT on the bottom half of the league. Potential to win the league but nothing so strong where they are a shoo in. Can lose to middling teams like us, CAN beat top teams … that’s why I said I think this league might cannabilize itself out of a bid. Each of these top 5 teams is going to take a couple of relatively unexpected bites from somebody and they’ll give them back.

It makes the league title chase more exciting when you don’t have a 16-2 team followed by a 13-5 team and two 12-6 teams. From an entertainment perspective, it’s great.

Yup, and for that reason I’m beginning to think about attending the UNLV MWCT games. Jot decided yet. I need to see that they’re consistently putting in the effort that gives me some faith that they’ll actually show up.

 

[rebel5280]

Yup, and for that reason I’m beginning to think about attending the UNLV MWCT games. Jot decided yet. I need to see that they’re consistently putting in the effort that gives me some faith that they’ll actually show up.

You are a glutton for punishment!