UNLV is gearing up to start its season along with the rest of the college basketball world. There are high expectations for this Runnin’ Rebels squad as they have been building towards a March Madness berth for the first time in over a decade.
UNLV returns six players from last year’s team after losing six players who graduated and two players who transferred to other schools.
Coach Kevin Kruger added four Division I transfers to the roster and one junior college transfer in forward Jeremiah Cherry from New Mexico Junior College. Four freshmen committed to UNLV, including the four-star seven-foot big man Pape N’Diaye.
Kruger has alluded to the certainty of depth in his squad during preseason practice. Second-year sophomore Brooklyn Hicks, redshirt freshman Jacob Bannarbie and even senior Jalen Hill are all guys in this rotation who return to UNLV with a season under their belt.
Dedan Thomas Jr. leads the way in this Runnin Rebels offense, and senior big man Rob Whaley Jr. also returns, with both back for their second season in the program.
The Runnin’ Rebels are looking to replace a lot in the rotation that they lost in the offseason. Key scorers Keylene Boone and defensive backbone Luis Rodriguez graduated, leaving key openings in this rotation.
Jailen Bedford, a senior transfer from Oral Roberts, comes into the offense looking to give UNLV some reliable shooting. Bedford averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds, as well as shooting 37.3% from 3-point range last season.
DePaul junior transfer Jaden Henley joins UNLV this season, giving the team size at the wing position. The 6-foot-7 transfer averaged 8.6 points last season, but his perimeter defense will be a difference-maker for the Runnin’ Rebels.
Jalen Hill is back for UNLV after missing last season with an ACL injury. The Las Vegas native received a medical waiver for an additional season of eligibility.
Hill, who played four years at Oklahoma before transferring to UNLV last year, is still rehabbing his injury, with Kruger easing Hill back into the fold. If Hill regains his form, it is a huge plus for the Runnin’ Rebels, as it gives them an experienced player with size.
Another Las Vegas native returning to the Runnin’ Rebels is Isaiah Cottrell. The unorthodox stretch big helps UNLV matchup against other lineups in the Mountain West. The big man was in and out of the lineup last season due to injuries, making 11 starts. Cottrell brought great defensive presence but only a little scoring, averaging 3.5 points.
Cherry was a huge addition to UNLV’s front-court depth. The 6-foot-11, 280-pound junior goes by the nickname “Bear” and provides notable physicality to this year’s roster after playing at the JUCO level last season.
In his last season at New Mexico Junior College, Cherry averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. Cherry was efficient on second-attempt chances and collecting the ball inside and getting to the rim.
Kruger can make a lot of decisions when building the lineup for this year’s team. One thing for sure is that UNLV has the depth to play with different lineups.
The Runnin’ Rebels are gearing up for Kruger’s fourth season. The team is looking to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. UNLV has some key games at the beginning of the season.
UNLV opens its season against Alabama State on Nov. 4 at home and then welcomes the Memphis Tigers to the Thomas and Mack Center for an early season clash on Nov. 9.
