Saturday marked the end of a challenging five game stretch for UNLV. It ended with a loss at Arizona. It was a double digit defeat, and most knowledgeable basketball fans would have predicted UNLV's loss before the game started.
To the Rebels' credit, they kept things relatively close throughout the game. In fact, if it were not for the scoring outburst of Arizona's Dusan Ristic (who ended the game with 20 points) in the first half, UNLV may have gone into the second half with the lead.
But, instead, the Rebels now have lost two in a row (both to the state of Arizona's best teams), and this time by a score of 82-70.
Ike Nwamu had a productive game with 17 points. Ben Carter also had an impact on Saturday's game (until he fouled out nearly mid way through the second half). Stephen Zimmerman was sidelined for the majority of the game with injury.
In the absence of these Rebel big men, the team had no distinct defensive presence down low. UNLV committed foul after foul as their smaller guards attempted to stop inside drives.
The Rebels head into their final non-conference game 8-4; this is a respectable record considering they have no "bad" losses. However, Pat McCaw's subpar performances in the last two games is troubling since this team will absolutely need McCaw's contributions when the conference slate starts.