Busting Brackets
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UNLV Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Runnin’ Rebels

By Jason Burgess

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 22: Pyrotechnics shoot from the hands of UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb before the team's game against the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 22, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rebels defeated the Lobos 74-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 22: Pyrotechnics shoot from the hands of UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb before the team's game against the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 22, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rebels defeated the Lobos 74-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 29: Amauri Hardy #3 of the UNLV Rebels drives against Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolf Pack defeated the Rebels 87-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 29: Amauri Hardy #3 of the UNLV Rebels drives against Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolf Pack defeated the Rebels 87-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The Rebels do return some key parts

As is often the case when there is a coaching change, players decide that the new situation isn’t for them or they remain loyal to the former coach, whatever the case may be players often transfer and that was no different for UNLV when Otzelberger was hired.

There were times this summer when it felt like the entire Runnin’ Rebels’ roster was in the transfer portal, in the end, seven players decided to play elsewhere this season, giving Otzelberger the tough task of filling in the holes. Otzelberger did convince some players to stay and the most important one was junior point guard Amauri Hardy who will give Otzelberger a steadying guy to rely on in his first year. Hardy averaged 13 points, three rebounds and 3.5 assists last year.

Also returning are forwards Nick Blair and Cheikh Mbacke Diong, the duo should anchor the Rebels’ interior this season after combining to average 13.2 points and 12.1 rebounds last season. The final key contributor returning is 6-4 sophomore guard Bryce Hamilton who averaged four points per game in limited minutes last season despite appearing in all 31 games. These four will play key roles for UNLV this season as the team incorporates many new faces.