Busting Brackets
Fansided

UNLV Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Runnin’ Rebels

By Jason Burgess

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Assistant coaches Tim Buckley and Kevin Kruger, head coach T.J. Otzelberger, assistant coach DeMarlo Slocum and director of basketball operations DeShawn Henry of the UNlV Rebels stand on the court as the American national anthem is performed before their game against the Texas State Bobcats at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bobcats defeated the Rebels 64-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Assistant coaches Tim Buckley and Kevin Kruger, head coach T.J. Otzelberger, assistant coach DeMarlo Slocum and director of basketball operations DeShawn Henry of the UNlV Rebels stand on the court as the American national anthem is performed before their game against the Texas State Bobcats at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bobcats defeated the Rebels 64-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Texas Longhorns Royce Hamm Jr. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Longhorns Royce Hamm Jr. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman-USA TODAY Sports /

Key reserves off the bench

While the UNLV roster is experienced in years, when it comes to the bench Kevin Kruger will have at his disposal it is relatively inexperienced in terms of game action. Senior Marvin Coleman returns from an injury after just six games last season. He once again should provide the main reserve minutes in the frontcourt, giving the Runnin’ Rebels his workmanlike six points and four boards.

He’ll be joined by 7-1 James Hampshire from Pacific. The native of Arizona should spell Muoka after seeing limited minutes last season putting up 2.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.5 minutes. If Muoka and Hampshire get in foul trouble or injured, UNLV is pretty thin in the middle. Royce Hamm, Jr. joins the team after four limited years at Texas and the 6-9 forward should finally get the chance to see an increased role, as could second-year forward Reece Brown who played 8.8 minutes per game as a freshman.

In the backcourt, the first guy off the bench will be the starting pong guard competition between Webster and McCabe, with the former giving Kruger some much-needed scoring punch off the bench. Another guy who could be instant offense off the bench is JUCO transfer Josh Baker who was a sharpshooter at Hutchinson Community College, shooting 41.8% from deep last season while netting 16.6 per game.

The other Texas transfer, Donovan Williams should see significant minutes as well, compared to the 10.6 he averaged in two years in Austin. Lastly, hometown recruit Keshon Gilbert should be in the mix for some point guard minutes, allowing Webster and McCabe to play off the ball if the opportunity arises.

There isn’t a ton of game experience here, but the options give Kruger a chance to mix and match with his starters to give UNLV a more diverse offensive game.