UNLV Runnin Rebels Overcome a Rough First Half to Beat Santa Clara and Go 7-0 to Start the Season

UNLV Runnin Rebels overcame a dismal first half to run past the Santa Clara Broncos and pull out a 66-63 win at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara Saturday night. The Runnin Rebels from Las Vegas kept their record spotless at 7 wins and no losses. Something they have not accomplished since the 1992-1993 season.

UNLV has to grapple with expectations of the 1990 National Championship Rebels

UNLV Runnin Rebels have a daunting history to live up to. Las Vegas is a city that was built by dreamers and Runnin Rebels fans are no different. Talk is all over Las Vegas already. "This is the year." "The Rebels can be ranked number one in the nation again." The hyperbole is funny but what can you say to discourage it.

The Rebels have beaten a nationally ranked team coached by a national icon. Lon Kruger and the Runnin Rebels beat Rick Pitino's #16 ranked Louisville Cardinals for the second time in two years, see story here. They have also beaten a perennial Pac 10 powerhouse on their home court. That being the Arizona Wildcats. While the Cats aren't what they use to be they are tough to play at home and the Rebels had to go to double overtime to finally beat Arizona 74-72. See the full story here.

UNLV players and coach remain level headed about their start

Rebel players themselves will have none of it. They know what they have done thus far. They also know this season has four more months left. Matt Shaw told the Associated Press, " We try not to think about it," forward Matt Shaw said. "The last two games haven't been easy wins. We don't think we're doing anything special even though we're undefeated."

UNLV coach Lon Kruger also downplayed the 7-0 record telling the AP, "They're excited about what's happening," coach Kruger said. "Despite what happened in the first half, they've done a good job keeping it in perspective. We have a lot of work to do."

Kruger was referring to the Rebels being down 10 points in the second half. The Runnin Rebels were called for 26 fouls. They also only had nine turnovers and were out rebounded 41-28.

UNLV scoring was down but they did what they had to do

UNLV was again led by Tre'von Willis with 15 points and Oscar Bellfield with 14 points. Bellfield had a tough game against Arizona but was helping guard Arizona's scoring machine, Nic Wise in that game. The Broncos leading scorer was Marc Trasolini with 22 points and they were missing Kevin Foster, a player that averages 19.8 points a game. Foster is out possibly for the season with a broken foot.

UNLV looks forward to taking on Kansas State next. The game will not be in their normal home court. The National Finals Rodeo is occupying the Thomas and Mack Center. The Runnin Rebels will play about five miles from their home court just West down Tropicana Avenue at the Orleans Hotel at the Orleans Arena.

sources:
associated press
www.espn.go.com