INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 21-11; 9-5 in MWC (3rd) Postseason: Lost to South Carolina 75-65 in second round of NIT. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Johnson 17.2 Rebs: Johnson 7.0 Assists: Banks 3.0 FG: Pearson 52.9% 3pt: Johnson 32.2% FT: Johnson 85.8% 01-02 Stats: UNLV | MWC KEY LOSSES Lou Kelly | 15.6 ppg Chris Richardson | 9.1 ppg Vince Booker | 4.9 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Marcus Banks | Senior G | De. Hunter | Junior F | Omari Pearson | Junior F | Dalron Johnson | Senior C | J.K. Edwards | Junior Player to Watch Dalron Johnson Senior Forward MWC's career scoring leader also led the conference in blocks last season. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 21 The Rebels host Stanford, which isn't the same as last year, but still a good Pac-10 team and stern test for UNLV.

 

UNLV RUNNIN' REBELS

It didn't take long for Charlie Spoonhour to show why his is such an impressive reputation within coaching circles. In his first season guiding the Rebels, Spoonhour's team won 21 games and advanced to the NIT. Now, he features the squad many think is the class of the Mountain West. Dalron Johnson is a 6-10 senior forward who will contend for conference Player of the Year honors and who should improve on averages of 17.4 points and 7.0 rebounds. But the biggest mismatch on UNLV's squad could come via the backcourt, where senior point guard Marcus Banks (15.8 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.2 spg last season) and Georgetown transfer Demetrius Hunter reside. Banks is the reigning conference Defensive Player of the Year, and Hunter is a 6-2, 210-pounder who's dangerous in space. The question comes inside, where junior-college transfer center J.K. Edwards (6-8, 250) needs to have some impact if the inside-outside combination from Johnson and Banks has a chance to succeed.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Banks is an absolute pest in the best sense. One of the nation's quickest players, he puts constant pressure on the opposition at both ends. Many think Johnson is the league's top NBA prospect, but few at this level can break a defense down like Banks. His shooting -- 47 percent from the field, 32 percent on threes, 70 percent from the line -- must improve for him to take the next step. But the addition of Hunter at shooting guard will make Banks even more of a threat.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
It's not as if Edwards has to come in and be an all-conference player. He will have help around the key with fellow transfer James Peters (6-8, 215) and returners Omari Pearson (6-8, 220) and Louis Amundson (6-7, 205). But to beat out the Wyomings and BYUs and Utahs for a conference title, the Rebels need to hold their own inside. UNLV was out-rebounded by more than four boards a game last season, a number it must change.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
It's the league's most athletic team with Banks and Johnson and senior wing Jermaine Lewis, who sat out last year after knee surgery. It has a coach who gives players freedom to explore on the court and yet who demands each play with a controlled purpose. UNLV can be as good as it wants to this season, and it will be a surprise if the Rebels aren't all smiles come Selection Sunday.