Charlie Spoonhour says he has a lot better idea of what to expect from his UNLV basketball team as he begins his second year as head coach of the Rebels with the start of practice Saturday afternoon.
"At least we know where the gym is now," Spoonhour quipped.
Indeed, a year ago at this time Spoonhour was inheriting a program that was in disarray following the firing of Bill Bayno and an unsuccessful run at trying to hire Rick Pitino. Folksy and well respected by his peers, Spoonhour came out of retirement to take over a squad that looked better suited for a 6-foot-5 and under league.
The Rebels had no legitimate center and used a former team manager, Vince Booker, in the starting lineup at guard. But after a predictable up-and-down start, Spoonhour guided UNLV to within three points of an NCAA Tournament berth, losing to upstart San Diego State in the finals of the Mountain West Tournament. UNLV finished 21-11 and advanced to the second round of the NIT before losing at South Carolina.
With two legitimate Mountain West Conference Player of the Year candidates returning in explosive senior point guard Marcus Banks and versatile 6-foot-9 forward Dalron Johnson to go along with a strong group of newcomers, there are many who believe UNLV has a legitimate shot at winning a very competitive MWC this year.
Few, if any, teams on the West Coast will be able to match the talent and depth of a UNLV backcourt that includes Banks, former Georgetown and Cheyenne High star Demetrius Hunter, 6-foot-4 shooting guard Jermaine Lewis and 6-2 sophomore sharpshooter Ernest Turner.
And the Rebels should be much stronger up front with the additions of two highly-touted JC recruits, J.K. Edwards (6-8, 250) and James Peters (6-8, 215) to go along with Johnson, improving 6-foot-8 junior Omari Pearson and hard-nosed 6-foot-7 sophomore Louis Amundson.
"I would hope that we're in the thick of things," Spoohour said. "I do like our team. I think our backcourt stands up with a lot of people. We've got four guys who ought to be seeing significant playing time."
Spoonhour also believes his squad should benefit from having both Hunter and Lewis practicing with it last year while they redshirted.
"We don't really have that many new guys," Spoonhour said. "Demetrius and Jermaine were out there every day with us from about mid-December on. They know all the drills and what we expect from them."
Spoonhour warns that Rebel fans shouldn't expect too much out of his two JC big men at the start.
"I think J.K. and James have had some success scoring," he said. "But it's still a transition year for them. Junior college kids usually always play better as seniors after they've had a chance to adjust to this level of play."
Two big keys for the Rebels will be trying to find a sixth man to provide a spark off the bench that underrated Jevon Banks provided last season and staying healthy.
"Jevon really gave us a lot of enthusiasm and a lift when he'd come in," Spoonhour said. "It wasn't just scoring, but maybe making a big steal or block or something. We need to find someone who can do that for us."
As far as health, Spoonhour said he expects his full squad to take part in Saturday's first practice although Marcus Banks, Hunter and Amundson have battled injuries over the summer.
"Marcus has had a lot of discomfort with his feet," Spoonhour said. "He had been playing in a great deal of pain and discomfort. But he's so tough mentally and physically. Demetrius fell and hurt his wrist. It's nothing he can't play through but it has bothered him. And Louis had a staph infection on his foot that grew so much that he had to be hospitalized for a weekend and walk around with an I.V. for about a week. But they all should be out there on Saturday."
The Rebels' first exhibition game is Wednesday, Nov. 6 vs. Global Sports at the Thomas & Mack. UNLV's first regular game is Sunday, Nov. 24, at home against Portland State.
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