UNLV Rebels forward Rob Whaley Jr. (5) dunks in front of Bethesda University Flames forward Jonathan Ileleji (10) during an exhibition game at the Cox Pavilion Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 | 5:30 p.m.
How many dunks did junior forward Rob Whaley throw down in UNLV’s 112-56 win over Bethesda on Tuesday? Accounts varied, as his coaches and teammates had trouble keeping count.
Head coach Kevin Kruger said he wasn’t sure, as the staff doesn’t track dunks as a stat.
“Rob definitely had a streak there with a couple in a row,” Kruger said.
Junior guard Jackie Johnson could only throw out a guesstimate.
“I don’t know,” Johnson said with a laugh. “At least what, six, seven of them?”
Close. The official tally was four — it just felt like more, both due to the force of Whaley’s finishes and the rapid succession in with he delivered them (all in the final six minutes).
Whaley’s personal dunk contest epitomized the afternoon for the Scarlet and Gray, as they destroyed tiny Bethesda — enrollment 399 — to close the nonconference portion of the schedule. Whaley posted 12 points in 17 minutes, making him one of seven UNLV players to reach double figures.
Senior wing Keylan Boone went for 12 points and 17 rebounds, while junior center Isaiah Cottrell had 11 points and 11 boards. Freshman guard D.J. Thomas put up 16 points and five assists. UNLV shot 52.9% as a team and never had to worry about Bethesda putting up a fight.
Kruger was just thankful that the Flames agreed to play. UNLV was left with an opening on its schedule when the team’s Dec. 6 game at Dayton was canceled due to the shooting on the UNLV campus, and Bethesda, which offers a seminary program, was able to step in at the last minute.
The Thomas & Mack Center was already booked for a Disney On Ice performance, so the game was held next door at Cox Pavilion, which holds 2,454.
In other words, it barely qualified as a light practice session for the Scarlet and Gray. But Kruger believes his players will benefit from the live game experience as they get set to open Mountain West play on Saturday at San Diego State.
“We’re short on reps,” Kruger said. “We’re already a game short on the schedule…and then of course with the cancelation, it put us two games back. This was a game to get reps, get guys out there, get them playing together and chop up the break a little bit.”
Kruger has been most interested in UNLV’s defensive performance in recent weeks, and he approved of their showing against Bethesda. The Flames were limited to 30.0% from the field and 5-of-22 from 3-point range, while UNLV defenders forced 19 turnovers.
UNLV finishes nonconference play at 7-5.
Kruger pointed to the players’ hustle in getting back on defense as a positive, noting they kept it up for the full 40 minutes despite the lopsided score.
That sustained intensity is a big reason why Kruger believes his squad is ready for conference competition.
“I think the guys have done a good job battling and preparing,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any question we’ve gotten better over the last couple weeks. If you take away a couple of those early games, we’ve really guarded the ball well and we’re making it challenging on opponents. That’s something we’ve got to keep doing.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
