UNLV Rebels forward Keylan Boone (20) celebrates after making a three-point basket during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Boston College Eagles in the second round of the NIT tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | noon
- What:
NIT quarterfinals - Who:
UNLV at Seton Hall - When:
Wednesday, 4 p.m. - Where:
Walsh Gymnasium (South Orange, N.J.) - TV:
ESPN2 - Radio:
1100AM, 100.9FM
UNLV is one win away from a trip to Indianapolis for the NIT Final Four, and also one loss away from the season being finished.
That’s life during the month of March, and the Scarlet and Gray are living in the moment as they head to the east coast to take on Seton Hall in the NIT quarterfinals on Wednesday (4 p.m., ESPN2).
In addition to giving the players something to play for right now, head coach Kevin Kruger believes this run is positioning the program for future success.
“We talk about, we’ve got to be a program that obviously we want to be at a certain level, but you’ve got to get there,” Kruger said. “We’ve got to walk before we run. Being invited to the postseason for the first time was a great accomplishment for the guys. Going on the road, winning a postseason game, those practices that go into it — postseason practices have a little different weight, a little different feel to them, because you know it could be your last game.”
Will UNLV live to play another day, or will this be the end of the road? Three keys to watch:
Tough times
Seton Hall was the first team left out of the NCAA Tournament, and the Pirates are playing like it. After beating Saint Joseph’s in overtime in the first round of the NIT, they smashed North Texas, 72-58, on Saturday to advance to the quarters.
Junior forward Rob Whaley, who has started at center the last two games out of necessity, is one of UNLV’s most physically imposing players, and he is impressed with what he’s seen of Seton Hall on tape. After practice on Monday, Whaley commended the Pirates for their determined, downhill style.
In his estimation, the key to beating Seton Hall will be toughness.
“Tough east-coast team,” Whaley said. “We’ve got to be the tougher team, just do our job and get the win.”
Whaley especially wants to set a tone in the opening minutes, something UNLV has accomplished in its two NIT victories so far.
“I feel like we do a good job of matching every team’s intensity,” he said. “When teams come out throwing punches, we throw ‘em right back.”
Defending Seton Hall
Seton Hall is the best of the three teams UNLV has faced in the NIT. The Pirates are No. 60 in the KenPom ratings and are Top 75 in both adjusted offense and adjusted defense, with their most distinctive feature being a four-guard attack that puts constant pressure on the paint.
Without senior stopper Luis Rodriguez, who left the team after the Mountain West tournament, UNLV is a bit thin on the wings. The Scarlet and Gray will need junior Shane Nowell and senior Justin Webster to step up on the defensive end, and it starts with knowing the assignments.
Kruger said the tournament format puts a premium on being able to learn and apply a new scouting report for each game, and he believes his veteran-led squad is capable of doing that.
“Knowing who we’re guarding,” Kruger said when asked for the key to defending Seton Hall. “Sometimes on these quick turnarounds with these teams you’ve never seen before, a lot of it can come down to knowing who you’re up against.”
Boone is back
After logging 24 minutes off the bench against Boston College and playing well (16 points, six rebounds, three bocks), senior center Kalib Boone appears on track for starter’s minutes on Wednesday.
Kruger said Boone’s injured ankle responded well the day after the game, and he participated in Monday’s practice.
Whether or not Kruger will reinsert Boone into the starting lineup, he is going to play a major role as UNLV’s top post threat.
Freshman point guard D.J. Thomas felt Boone’s impact was pivotal against Boston College and wants to see it again at Seton hall.
“The spark he brought off the bench was great,” Thomas said. “He hit some big shots, especially early. He got going early. We definitely missed him.”
Who: UNLV (21-12, 12-6 MWC) at Seton Hall (22-12, 13-7 Big East)
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Where: Walsh Gymnasium (South Orange, N.J.)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: 1100 AM, 100.9 FM
UNLV leaders
Scoring
D.J. Thomas: 13.9 points
Rebounds
Keylan Boone: 6.8 rebounds
Assists
D.J. Thomas: 5.2 assists
Seton Hall leaders
Scoring
Kadary Richmond: 15.6 points
Rebounds
Jaden Bediako: 7.0 rebounds
Assists
Kadary Richmond: 5.0 assists
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
