High-Scoring Runnin’ Rebels Trying To Gel (And Overcome Injuries) While Also Attracting Fans To Thomas & Mack Under New Coach Pastner
ADVERTISEMENT
Shop at Jay’s Market at 190 East Flamingo Road at the Koval Lane intersection
ADVERTISEMENT
By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS. Nevada — The basketball coaches have rolled in and they’re always enthusiastic when: Marvin Menzies, T.J. Otzelberger, Kevin Kruger and now Josh Pastner.
Pastner, the former Memphis and Georgia Tech coach hired by UNLV after a college hoops broadcasting stint, is working on the ever-evolving process of blending talented individual hoopsters into a cohesive men’s basketball team
Following the career strategy of UNLV football coach Dan Mullen of moving to a Rebels job from a broadcast studio, Pastner is not only trying to get new players to work together he’s also trying to create a buzz for a sports team that at one time was this market’s biggest draw.
The Runnin’ Rebels are a high-scoring bunch and they piled up 99 points in a 14-point win over Saint Joseph’s at Thomas & Mack Center Thursday evening. Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn led the way with 20 points with Tyrin Jones adding 16 points and 10 rebounds.
UNLV improved to three wins with two losses after the 99-85 win over St. Joe’s.
Responding to an LVSportsBiz.com question, Pastner said the team is a w0rk in progress as he blends 13 new players while he also works on overcoming injuries to some of his players.
“We’re not there yet,” Pastner said of developing team chemistry.
UNLV reported attendance at 5,006.
PSA
