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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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: Donnie Tillman #3 of the Utah Utes dribbles against Justin Johnson #23 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the first quarter during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: Donnie Tillman #3 of the Utah Utes dribbles against Justin Johnson #23 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the first quarter during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Otzelberger hit the recruiting trail hard to fill out the roster

The returning players will be supplemented by a rash of transfers that are entering their first year with the program. On the recruiting trail, Otzelberger focused his efforts on freshmen for the 2020-21 season and transfers to fill out the roster for their upcoming season, and all of those transfers are eligible to play immediately.

In the offensive system, Otzelberger likes to run, shooters are essential, and he got one when Jonah Antonio committed to the Rebels. The 6-5 native of Australia played last season at South Plains College in Texas, where he averaged 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds and shot over 40% from beyond the arc and scored over 20 points four times. Joining Antonio in the backcourt is senior Elijah Mitrou-Long who joins the team after playing three seasons at Texas where he was more of a defensive specialist for Shaka Smart. Mitrou-Long 5.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season, but he can do more and did so in 2016-17 when those numbers were 15 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.

The frontcourt will welcome Vitaliy Shibel, a 6-9 native of Ukraine who played two years at Arizona State where he was used sparingly. The final transfer is a 6-7 forward who was granted a waiver to be eligible immediately, is the reigning Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year from Utah Donnie Tillman is ready to make a big impact for UNLV, after averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and shooting 36% from deep last season.