Mountain West Connection - 2015 Maui Invitational: UNLV looking for marquee winsAll you need to know about the Mountain West, and then somehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50409/mwc-fav.png2015-11-25T17:39:16-08:00http://www.mwcconnection.com/rss/stream/95437612015-11-25T17:39:16-08:002015-11-25T17:39:16-08:00UNLV gets important win over Indiana in Maui
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rebels may have lost their first game in the Maui Invitational against UCLA, but they ended up with arguably a better win when they faced a ranked opponent in Indiana. The Runnin' Rebs leave Maui 2-1.</p> <p>UNLV looked more relieved than overjoyed as they walked off the court in Maui in their final of three games of the Maui Invitational. They came away with a victory (even if it came in the consolation bracket). They won by three points, 72-69, but for much of the game, they dominated No. 13 Indiana's stagnant offense. If it were not for their continued free throw woes - most evident in the last minute of the game - the Rebs likely could have won by double digits.</p>
<p>Most of the credit for UNLV's win will go to Patrick McCaw and Ike Nwamu and this credit is due. Particularly in terms of McCaw, No. 22 was the Rebels' most consistent player throughout the tourney. But in this game, the credit should also be shared with Ben Carter. Carter poured in 16 points and provided some excellent post moves to make a case to be a regular starter for the Rebs in the future rather than come off the bench.</p>
<p>Even though the Runnin' Rebels came away with a win, there were some glaring problems that will need to be addressed in the very near future as UNLV's non-conference schedule will continue to be rough. Free throws need vast improvement, because 11-20 is not going to cut it (especially in tight games). Also, the Rebs need to be more cautious with the ball; this was best exemplified in the last 30 seconds of the game when a wild in-bound pass turned the ball over at a crucial time and led color commentator Bill Walton to say:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bill Walton: "That was one of the nine worst plays in the history of UNLV basketball."</p>
— <span>Matt Smith</span> (@MattSmithCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattSmithCFB/status/669669483942809601">November 26, 2015</a>
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<p>The Rebels end the tournament 2-1, and they nearly beat UCLA in the opening round. They now go onto face a very winnable game against Prairie View A&M before tackling a much tougher test against the <a href="https://www.addictedtoquack.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oregon Ducks</a>.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/25/9802836/unlv-indiana-final-scoreEaNicoleMadrigal2015-11-25T07:31:05-08:002015-11-25T07:31:05-08:00Maui Invite Day 3 features UNLV vs. Indiana
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>UNLV gets a crack at Indiana in their final game at the Maui Invitational.</p> <p>UNLV got the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/24/9795846/unlv-chaminade-recap-rebels-post-victory">expected win against host Chaminade</a> on Tuesday and now they get back to playing a much more challenging opponent in No. 13 ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/">Indiana Hoosiers</a>. The Hoosiers <a target="_blank" href="http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2015/11/23/9789060/wake-forest-82-indiana-78-mad-tropical">fell to Wake Forest</a> in the opening round game and then <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2015/11/24/9793056/st-johns-vs-indiana-final-83-73-johnnies-showed-improvements-in-a-10">defeated St. John's</a> to advance to the fifth place game.</p>
<p>This is a chance for the Rebels to get a much needed high profile win to not only get a RPI boost but also to show that this team has the talent to beat a good program. They <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/24/9790178/unlv-v-ucla-maui-invite-recap">hung around against UCLA</a> in the opener but the zone defense was an issue for the UNLV offense to crack, and ultimately lost in this game.</p>
<p>Playing Chaminade gave the Rebels a chance to tighten up their game and we will see if those adjustments will take effect against the Hoosiers.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Time (ET)</td>
<td>Matchup</td>
<td>TV</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2:30 p.m.</td>
<td>St. John's vs. Chaminade</td>
<td>ESPNU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5 p.m.</td>
<td>Indiana vs. UNLV</td>
<td>ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>UCLA vs. Wake Forest</td>
<td>ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10 p.m.</td>
<td>Kansas vs.Vanderbilt (Championship Game)<br>
</td>
<td>ESPN</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/25/9799358/maui-invitational-day-3-tv-streaming-schedule-unv-indianaJeremy Mauss2015-11-24T16:20:00-08:002015-11-24T16:20:00-08:00UNLV Snags Victory Against Chaminade
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Runnin' Rebs lost yesterday by a basket to UCLA, but they came back with a 20 point victory against Chaminade. UNLV will face Indiana tomorrow.</p> <p>The Rebels can breathe a sigh of relief after shaking off a snoozer of a start in Maui against home town favorite Chaminade. Watching the first half of the UNLV-Chaminade game was excruciating because it was sluggish and offensively minimally thrilling (minus the breakaway dunk that, of course, <span>Derrick Jones</span> threw down half way through the first half).</p>
<p>In the second half, it would be team leader Pat McCaw that pulled the Rebels from the depths of near embarrassment in Hawaii. Jones, meanwhile, would lead all scorers with 26 points, proving that he is not simply a slam dunk master. Both carried UNLV to their 93-73 victory (which seems like a swatting but was anything but until the second half was underway).</p>
<p>Looking ahead, troubling for the Rebels is the performance of vocal leader Jordan Cornish who has yet to shine in his outings in Maui, and today, was 2 for 8 from field goal range. Additionally, Stephen Zimmerman had to sit out this game continuing to feel under the weather.</p>
<p>The Rebels will need all hands on deck to take on the Hoosiers in the final round of the consolation bracket tomorrow. The fast paced Rebels should pose a challenge to Indiana. However, if the Rebels fail to make an offensive run toward the very start of the game as they did against Chaminade today, the Hoosiers will have the advantage in this final match-up in Maui.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/24/9795846/unlv-chaminade-recap-rebels-post-victoryEaNicoleMadrigal2015-11-24T09:30:01-08:002015-11-24T09:30:01-08:00UNLV vs. Chaminade in Maui Invite's second day
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>UNLV will take on host Chaminade in the second round of the Maui Invite.</p> <p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/22/9779720/2015-maui-invitational-unlv-opens-up-against-ucla">Maui Invitational</a> was a chance for UNLV to boost its strength of schedule and get challenged and that will now just sort of happen after their <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/24/9790178/unlv-v-ucla-maui-invite-recap">loss against UCLA in the opening round</a>.</p>
<p>There are still one more quality opponent for UNLV but first they must play host Chaminade who played Kansas and lost 123-72, which was expected by playing the fifth ranked team in the country. The Rebels missed a big opportunity by not beating a very UCLA team who showed their weakness in playing against the zone defense and their youth showed in their first big test of the season.</p>
<p>The Maui Invite gives us day basketball during Thanksgiving Week -- is it still being called Feast Week as ESPN used to brand this time of year?</p>
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<caption>Maui Invitational Day 2 Schedule (Nov. 24)</caption>
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<tr>
<td>Time (ET)</td>
<td>Matchup</td>
<td>TV</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2 p.m.</td>
<td>St. John's vs. Indiana</td>
<td>ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4:30 p.m.</td>
<td>Chaminade vs. UNLV</td>
<td>ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest</td>
<td>ESPN</td>
</tr>
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<td>10 p.m.</td>
<td>Kansas vs. UCLA</td>
<td>ESPN</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/24/9791726/maui-invitational-day-2-tv-streaming-scheduleJeremy Mauss2015-11-24T06:39:33-08:002015-11-24T06:39:33-08:00UNLV Starts Off Maui With Loss
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The UCLA Bruins advance in the championship bracket to face Kansas. Meanwhile, despite a late attempt to take the lead, the UNLV Rebels falter to 0-1 in the Maui tourney.</p> <p>UNLV outscored UCLA in the second half, but it was too little too late for the Runnin' Rebels who start off the Maui Invitational 0-1. It is their first loss of the season. Most heart breaking for the Rebels to swallow is that this was a winnable game.</p>
<p>Although coming off a slow first half, the Rebs ramped up their full court defensive pressure in the second half. They caused the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bruinsnation.com/">UCLA Bruins</a> to speed up their offense. But, the Bruins were prepared.</p>
<p>In response, the Bruins utilized the Rebels' kryptonite: zone defense. In the Dave Rice era, the Runnin' Rebs have continued to struggle with the opponent's zone, forced to launch up 3s. In this game, the result was a 31 percent 3-point shooting average.</p>
<p>Additionally, the Bruins owned the charity stripe with a staggering 95% success rate from the free throw line. And as the Rebels got in more foul trouble they simultaneously sent the Bruins back to the free throw line again and again. Meanwhile, Fantastic freshmen Stephen Zimmerman showed that he was mortal as he led the team in turn overs and missed some crucial free throws down the wire that could have cut into the lead.</p>
<p>Now, the Rebels go on to face Chaminade who was dominated, unsurprisingly, by Kansas earlier in the day. Kansas will play the Bruins in the next round of the championship bracket. In UNLV's first showing on the national stage, the Rebs illustrated their youth and lack of consistency.</p>
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https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/24/9790178/unlv-v-ucla-maui-invite-recapEaNicoleMadrigal2015-11-23T08:17:39-08:002015-11-23T08:17:39-08:00UNLV Could Come Away As Maui Invitational Champs
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<figcaption>Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>UNLV has an impressive, but not all together surprising 3-0 start. Now, the Rebels head to the island to prove themselves on a national stage. Can they come away as champs?</p> <p>So far, UNLV has had an unsurprising start to the season. Three games down and three games won. However, the only true quality opponent that UNLV faced in these early season tests was Cal Poly.</p>
<p>Maybe more surprising to their start are some of the individual performances by both new and returning players. Maybe you have heard the name "<span>Derrick Jones</span>" who has, arguably, the best dunk of the year in college hoops? Then, there's <span>Patrick McCaw</span> who recently scored a career high 24 points.</p>
<p>UNLV has the make-up of a championship contender. Okay, at least Maui Championship. Nothing better than preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday with some hoops in the Aloha State. Here are 5 ways UNLV, a dark horse in this tourney to win it all, could actually do it:</p>
<h3>1. Sharing is Caring.</h3>
<p>Time to get in the holiday spirit, UNLV. Some of the best as well as most entertaining performances this early season for the Rebels have been when the ball makes multiple touches prior to the score. It's great to have one or two players with high point performances, but UNLV will be at its pinnacle when its entire starting 5 (and at least 2 players off the bench - in this case Jones and <span>Jordan Cornish</span>) can get 10-14 points. This kind of sharing mentality is what we expect around Thanksgiving and could give the Rebels the clear advantage in the tournament.</p>
<h3>2. Freshmen Fight or Flight.</h3>
<p>This is the first time that UNLV is playing on a national stage this season, and it's a big one. With plenty of families home for the holidays, all eyes are on, arguably, the best early season tourney (featuring teams like Kansas, Indiana, and UCLA). Particularly for freshmen players, a big stage could mean big nerves. Will frosh big man, Stephen Zimmerman succumb to pressure? Will Derrick Jones continue his early season dominance? If both freshmen continue the fight they've shown thus far, UNLV will surprise some people and put teams around the nation on notice.</p>
<h3>3. Homesick.</h3>
<p>Historically, Dave Rice teams have significantly struggled when they hit the road (this seems to be especially true during the tough Mountain West Conference schedule). Adding to the uncertainty, UNLV will play its first nationally televised games on the road in Maui. The Rebels have a chance to prove that the UNLV basketball program remains nationally relevant. Rice must ready and steady his squad for the first, true season tests. The returners, and their on-road experience (despite not consistently successful), could serve crucial if UNLV wants to escape Maui as champions.</p>
<h3>4. Continue the Block Party.</h3>
<p>Early on, the Runnin' Rebs have shown some intense defensive tenacity. Coach Rice has promised the fans in Vegas that his teams will play hungry, but his squads have fallen short too often. This new group of Rebels proves otherwise. From full to half court pressure (and combined with their speedy offensive transition) are deadly when their defense is on point. And beyond that, their front court presence governs the paint. From Zimmerman, Jones, <span>Dwayne Morgan</span>, and <span>Goodluck Okonoboh</span>, maintaining tenacious "d" is paramount on the island.</p>
<h3>5. 22.</h3>
<p>As I've said from the first preview of UNLV basketball, as Patrick McCaw goes, UNLV will go as well. There may be more vocal leaders on the squad, but Pat McCaw is an emerging star. A guard that started last year undersized and needed added weight, has added both. He's improved his 3-point shooting and remains a threat on the drive; more impressively, he plays like an underdog on both sides of the court. This could be a break out week for McCaw in a national setting, but most importantly for the team, if McCaw plays at his best, UNLV would be hard pressed not to fly home from Maui without being the champs.</p>
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https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/23/9776484/unlv-can-win-maui-inviteEaNicoleMadrigal2015-11-22T15:57:48-08:002015-11-22T15:57:48-08:00UNLV's Jerome Seagears and Goodluck Okonoboh attempt to do the hula<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/TheRunninRebels/status/668306748202029057">UNLV's Jerome Seagears and Goodluck Okonoboh attempt to do the&nbsp;hula</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Jerome Seagears and Goodluck Okonoboh do the hula at the Maui Invite.</p></p></div>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/22/9780060/unlvs-jerome-seagears-and-goodluck-okonoboh-attempt-to-do-the-hulaJeremy Mauss2015-11-22T15:44:55-08:002015-11-22T15:44:55-08:00Maui Invitational TV schedule, bracket
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The 2015 Maui Invitational is a loaded field this year and gets underway on Monday.</p> <p>One of the most prestigious tournament of the college basketball season is the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/22/9779720/2015-maui-invitational-unlv-opens-up-against-ucla">Maui Invitational</a> and it nearly always has a loaded field and this year falls in line with a great slate of teams.</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong> Team</strong></td>
<td><strong> NCAA Tournaments </strong></td>
<td><strong> Final Fours </strong></td>
<td><strong> National Championships</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Indiana</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kansas</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>3 (1952, 1988*, 2008)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>St. John's</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UCLA</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>11 (1964-65, 1967-73, 1975, 1995)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNLV</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1 (1990)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanderbilt</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wake Forest</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chaminade</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong> TOTAL</strong></td>
<td><strong> 206</strong></td>
<td><strong> 47 </strong></td>
<td><strong> 20 (most recent: Kansas, 2008) </strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<p>We did an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/7/31/9082855/2015-maui-invite-bracket-released-unlv-ucla/in/9543761">early preview</a> of this tournament back in July and it is still worth reading a few months later. This is the Rebels chance to show that they have the talent and more importantly the coaching to be a quality NCAA tournament team. This year the Rebels are 3-0 against lesser competition, so the opener Monday night against UCLA will be a tough matchup.</p>
<p>The tournament has technically already gotten underway with some games on the mainland and that info along with the bracket and schedule is below. Every game is also streaming on WatchESPN.</p>
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https://www.mwcconnection.com/2015/11/22/9779796/2015-maui-invitational-tv-schedule-streaming-bracketJeremy Mauss