The Pinkie Previews: Louisville (4-0) @ UNLV (4-0)

The University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Team travels to the bright lights of Sin City to take on the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  The Cards are coming off three victories in three days last weekend when they defeated East Tenn St., Morgan State, and Appalachian State.  The Rebels have gotten themselves off to a hot start with four straight victories to open the season.  Their four W’s come over Pittsburgh State, Nevada Reno, Southern Illinois, and Holy Cross.  Both the Cards and Rebels will be facing their toughest competition so far this year when the two teams tip off at 4:00 EST in Vegas.  These teams are no stranger to one another.  Two years ago the Cards went to Vegas and whipped the Rebels on their home court by 20.  Last year, UNLV returned the favor.  They came into Freedom Hall and escaped with a one point victory over the Cards thanks to a basket with under four seconds left.  Today the Cards seek revenge. 

Meet the Rebels

UNLV is a very dangerous team with a lot of options.  The Rebels lost seven players from last years team, including three starters.  But this team has rebuilt with a ton of talent and they have showed it.  The Rebels are a very balanced team and rely heavily on their bench.  They have only one player that averages double figures in points, but have seven guys that have recorded a double digit scoring game.  UNLV also has 11 players that are averaging at leat 12 minutes per game.  This team is a lot like Louisville in that they will play you hard for 40 minutes and just replace bodies with guys off the bench.  They try to wear down the opponent and take control of games in the second half. 

The Rebels do a great job of forcing turnovers.  Like I mentioned, they play opponents hard for all 40 minutes.  So far this season, UNLV is forcing their opponents to turn the ball over an average of 19 times per game.  They forced Pittsburgh State into 28 turnovers and Holy Cross into 24 TO’s.   For as much as the Rebels like to force turnovers, they sure don’t commit them.  UNLV averages just 10.5 turnovers a game which is better than last year when the Rebels were ranked 24th nationally with only 11.8 TO’s per game.  The Cards will have to do an excellent job of  protecting the ball against this pressure defense. 

The Rebels also do tremendous job on the glass.  UNLV has out rebounded their opponents in three of four games this season.  Their average rebounding margin is +3.3.  Each UNLV starter averages over three rebounds a piece while the Cardinals have only three starters who average at least three boards.  Louisville will have to hit the glass hard and limit the Rebels at second chance opportunities. 

UNLV can score and score often.  They are averaging 84.2 ppg this season which is way up from last year’s team which scored 68.8ppg.  Their lowest point total in a game thus far is 78.  This team likes to take a lot of shots and can hit them.  Their offense is fulled by their pressure defense which gives them more opportunities to put points on the board.  Louisville has to get out on the shooters and try to slow the Rebels down to a half court game.  This is one team the Cards don’t want to get in a shootout with. 

Key Players

The main threat of the UNLV attack is junior guard Tre’Von Willis.  Willis is a scoring machine that averages 16.0 points per game.  He also rebounds exceptionally well for a 6’4 guard by pulling down an average of five boards per game.  He’s not a serious three point shooter (2-9 on the season) but he can get to the rim and finish.  He should be the main focus of Rick Pitino’s defense and with good reason.  The Cards cannot let Willis do what he wants on the offensive end or it’s going to be a long day. 

The other threat of this Rebel team is sophomore guard Oscar Bellfield.  Bellfield is averaging 9.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.  He does a great job of protecting the ball and dishing it to his teammates.  In every game this year, Bellfield has recorded a higher assist/turnover margin.  He has recorded 15 assists to just six turnovers.  That is good for a +2.5 margin.  He is a quick guard that likes to drive and dish but can also put the ball in the basket.  The Cards need to contain Bellfield and not let him penetrate deep into the defense.  This is where he is most dangerous. 

Let’s not forget about former University of Kentucky player Derrick Jasper.  Jasper transferred from UK  after Billy Gillispe’s first year and has found himself a starting  job on this rebel squad.  The junior forward is not a focal point of this UNLV team but has put up some solid numbers.  He averages 6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. 

Keys to Victory

1) Protect the ball.  This starts with Edgar Sosa and Peyton Siva.  These two need to control the offense and not give into the UNLV pressure.  The guards need to keep the offense flowing smoothly and help create good looks for others.  We all know Sosa has had a turnover problem in the past so this worries me.  He has done a better job this season and will need to keep up his stellar play today.

2) Contain Tre’Von Willis.  Don’t let this kid score whenever he wants.  Put the bulldog Preston Knowles on him and take him out of this game.  If he’s not scoring, the UNLV offense will be out of sync.

3)  Our bench needs to outplay theirs.  The Louisville reserves will be key to a victory today.  UNLV uses 11 guys just like Louisville.  Neither team is going to wear down so it will come down to who’s bench is better. Reginald Delk, Kyle Kuric, Rakeem Buckles, and Terrance Jennings need to step in and play well for the Cards if they want to go home with a W.

4) Play to your strengths.  This means getting the ball inside to the big man Samardo Samuels.  This kid has absolutely torn apart opponents this season.  The Cards need to find him early and often.  Once UNLV starts keying on him, the outside shot will open up.  Samuels will create  outside opportunities for Sosa, Knowles, and Jerry Smith.