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UNLV fans will get their first chance to see the 2014-15 Runnin’ Rebels at the Scarlet and Gray Showcase tonight at 7 p.m. The showcase will include a scrimmage, as well as skills competitions and a Legends game. Admission is free, and the event can be seen online.
But it might be a bit of a struggle for UNLV to play themselves.
"We’re just trying to field one good team, and in the Scarlet and Gray Showcase we have to field two good teams," head coach Dave Rice said. "We don’t have a lot of subs."
There are 15 players on the roster for Rice, but with Daquan Cook out for the season with an ACL injury, and two transfers ineligible to play, UNLV has just 12 bodies – which includes two walk-ons. Those two ineligible players, Jerome Seagers and Ben Carter, have been practicing with the team, but it is unclear if they will partake in the scrimmage.
Also, UNLV could be without sophomore guard Kendall Smith.
Kendall Smith missed practice with an upper respiratory infection and is day to day, per @UNLVsid
— Taylor Bern (@TaylorBern) October 16, 2014
Smith started 13 games last season. This year he is expected to play a versatile role in the UNLV backcourt.
"We’re going to play him (Smith) on the ball," Rice said. "We’re going to play him off the ball. So it’s an opportunity to play two point guards on the floor at the same time."
The starting point guard for the season will be Cody Doolin. Jelan Kendrick may play point guard during the scrimmage, or Seagers.
Other Notes:
According to RunRebs.com, UNLV will be hosting two top-100 recruits in the class of 2015 tonight in Jalen Poyser and Derrick Jones. Also, two 2016 prospects and a 2017 prospect will be at the Thomas & Mack Center for tonight's Showcase.
UNLV will be traveling to take on UCLA in a closed scrimmage on Nov. 8, per ESPN.
Freshman forward Goodluck Okonoboh revealed he is the cousin of former Connecticut Huskie and Missouri Tiger, Alex Oriakhi. Okonoboh said he grew up playing against Oriakhi and "best friend" Nerlens Noel, now of the Philadelphia 76ers.