Jaime Jaquez, Jr. will look to lead the Bruins out of their Las Vegas funk today against UNLV. (Photo Credit: Jesus Ramirez/uclabruins.com)
Welcome to the start of a unique UCLA basketball-football doubleheader! While the football team kicks off at 7:30 pm PT, the basketball team tips off at 2 pm PT.
The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels are led by first year head coach Kevin Kruger. He is the son of former UNLV and Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger.
The younger Kruger was hired to replace TJ Otzelberger, who left the school to take the job at Iowa State. So far, he has led the Runnin’ Rebels to a 4-2 mark this season. The team opened with three wins over Gardner-Webb, UC Berkeley, and North Dakota State. Then, last weekend, they lost to #4 Michigan and Wichita State before crushing Whittier College on Wednesday.
Starting Five
The Runnin’ Rebels will have start an experienced squad. Four of the five starters are either seniors or fifth year guys. Junior forward Donovan Williams is the only non-senior starting for the Rebels. Williams is second on the team in scoring with an average of 11.0 points per game, trailing senior Bryce Hamilton who leads the team with an average of 15.8 ppg. They are the only two Rebels averaging in double figures.
Williams is tied for the team lead in three-point shots made with senior guard Jordan McCabe. Both players have made nine treys, though McCabe’s 3-point percentage is slightly higher due to taking two few three-point attempts. McCabe leads the team in assists with 21 and he’s averaging just 8.8 ppg.
McCabe is tied for third on the team in scoring with transfer guard Michael Nuga who comes to UNLV from Kent State.
Kruger will start another transfer student at forward. Royce Hamm, Jr. joins the Rebels after coming over from Texas. He leads the team in rebounds with an average of 11.7 per game and is the only player on the team averaging more than 4.5 rpg.
Outlook
Today’s game appears, on paper at least, to be just what the Bruins need to wake up from their Las Vegas funk from Monday and Tuesday. UCLA is the second Top Five team the Runnin’ Rebels play in just over a week. UNLV lost to Michigan at home last Friday, 74-61.
In the four games the Rebels have won, they haven’t really beaten a quality opponent. They edged UC Berkeley by three for their best win so far, but it’s been quite a while since you could call the Golden Bears a good team.
All of this would seem to indicate that UCLA should pick up a big win today. Hopefully, the Bruins come out and just take out their early week frustrations on
Listen to the Game With TMB!
All I should need to tell you about today’s TV broadcast (assuming you can find it) is that UCLA hater Doug Gottlieb is one of today’s announcers. In Los Angeles, the game will be on KCALDT2 Channel 9.2, which is not available on most cable systems. But you can use the link above to try to find it.
In case that’s not enough for you, I’ll say that you should consider giving Josh Lewin a little love. Not only will Lewin be calling the Bruin radio broadcast for today’s basketball game in Las Vegas, but he will also be calling tonight’s football game from the Rose Bowl. That’s two UCLA games in two cities on the same day. That deserves some props.
TuneIn.com now has UCLA’s games listed as “premium” content. So, rather than using TuneIn, you can just listen through the official website like we have done with the small sports for a long time in order to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call today’s game instead of Chris Hassel and UCLA hater Doug Gottlieb. Just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
In the meantime, here’s how to watch today’s game:
This is your #2 UCLA Bruins at UNLV Runnin’ Rebels game thread.
#2 UCLA Men’s Basketball (5-1)
Opponent: UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (4-2)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 6-0
When: 2:00 pm PT, Saturday, November 27, 2021
Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
TV: Stadium (KCALDT2 9.2 in Los Angeles) with Chris Hassel and Doug Gottlieb
Thanks again for supporting The Mighty Bruin. Your paid subscriptions make this site possible. Questions, comments, story ideas, angry missives and more can be sent to to @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.
I’m so friggin tired of these screwy networks. It’s like every game you have to buy another bundle or stream then never use it again. WTAF UCLA? I don’t even want to figure it out right now. I think I’ll go buy a Christmas tree. At least I have an am radio in the car…
Ucla on an 8-0 run to start the game, Johnson looks just as lost on defense today as he did on Tuesday but UNLV don’t really have the players to capitalize so far
That wasn't the prettiest half but it was efficient and solid against a competitive opponent. That's what I was hoping to see after that mess on Tuesday - for the Bruins to come out and play good hard working basketball, especially on the defensive end.
Reflect that in each season under Cronin, they start out under achieving and end up over achieving. Would say it takes a while to learn Cronin's system but these guys have been with him for three years. (except Cody/Johnson). Why?
Clark should start against smaller teams without dominating big. Johnson should sell popcorn in the stands--wonder why Cronin was so hot to get him in the portal.
Born and raised in Las Vegas and grew up on UNLV basketball. The team is named the rebels because it was the second school in the state. Nevada is the older of the two. If I recall correctly the Rebels were named to rebel against the northern school. Brief but hope this helps.
Kind of goofy I know. Last fun fact, Hey Reb was in response to an early Nevada wolf that was named Beauregard. In the old days, they actually had a live pack of wolves.
Russell!
And Hamm fouls out. So long, Chief!
I lived through the Mark Eaton period. There was a mountain of a kid with molasses on his feet. Just jam the ball, don't try to take a step!
It takes a Duke to get all those foul calls.
This is working pretty well for me. Thanks B G!!
I’m so friggin tired of these screwy networks. It’s like every game you have to buy another bundle or stream then never use it again. WTAF UCLA? I don’t even want to figure it out right now. I think I’ll go buy a Christmas tree. At least I have an am radio in the car…
I have to admit I love Josh Lewin. I often mute the TV audio and listen to him and Tracy instead.
Get it on East Coast on a channel I did not know I had--Stadium Channel.
Hope players get their head in the game because UNLV is competitive.
You don’t have to pay for stadium right? I just downloaded and started paying from the app and it doesn’t say anything abt it being a free preview
Playing*
Don't know, never heard of the channel--had professional wrestling on before LOL
Maybe because I pay for Pac 12 network?
The quality of the stream is terrible
Ucla on an 8-0 run to start the game, Johnson looks just as lost on defense today as he did on Tuesday but UNLV don’t really have the players to capitalize so far
We really need Cody as Johnson is slow and no offense.
Rather see Clark in with UNLV not having any true Bigs.
Cody is in?
No, wish he could play--still out.
Dang, Miles is another lead-foot big.
Jules playing a lot better today than the first two games this week
UCLA making UNLV look like the better team. How many turnovers and fouls?
Stadium TV on Sling is awful. It has cut to commercial three times now DURING PLAY!
Four times.
Miles is from Nigeria!
Josh Lewin just made a joke about that LOL
Yup, I'm listening to the stream.
Yay, some D!
These announcers have noticed Myles having bad hands only 15 minutes into watching them play
What about his bad feet--in cement
Nwuba doesn’t have the length Myles does but when he’s in, the defense seems a lot more in sync.
Ugh, and a Myles elbow just knocked Jaquez to the locker room before half.
Surprisingly, Doug Gottlieb is doing a nice job.
Jaime took a Myles elbow in the eye and is bleeding. Oh suck!
Announcers said he looked rattled.
Hope it is not a concussion
My thoughts and prayers, too, BruinMom
That was a terrible offensive foul call on Jules
So, not only does Johnson not fit in with UCLA--he smashes Jaquez in the forehead--probably needs stitches. With players like that, who needs enemies
LOL
Bruins have slowed it down a bit today. The offense is more under control.
That wasn't the prettiest half but it was efficient and solid against a competitive opponent. That's what I was hoping to see after that mess on Tuesday - for the Bruins to come out and play good hard working basketball, especially on the defensive end.
Hopefully they finish with Jaime on the floor.
Good thing there are no Vampires on UNLV. Stitches for sure.
Yeah, definitely need to clean up the turnovers.
Reflect that in each season under Cronin, they start out under achieving and end up over achieving. Would say it takes a while to learn Cronin's system but these guys have been with him for three years. (except Cody/Johnson). Why?
Cronin needs to learn what his players have, as well.
Auburn kicking Alabama's ass 10-0. Alabama just tried fake field goal but Auburn not fooled
Juzang has only attempted 5 shots. Less quick shots = less quick runouts. This is the better pace for us.
Jaime back!
That's a relief, now we see...
Well as it turns out since I retired to Palm Springs I no longer get any am stations other than Spanish and religious. Dammit.
Bruins getting beat off the dribble
Nwuba showing what strong hands are all about
Need a to
Nwuba gets pulled down and it’s a double foul?!
Bad call
Streaming is awful
Peyton Swatson?
I’ll see myself out
It's OK, we can keep it fun.
Not loving our offense this half.
Now they’re getting back.
Now we’re talking!
Clark should start against smaller teams without dominating big. Johnson should sell popcorn in the stands--wonder why Cronin was so hot to get him in the portal.
And after complaining about the offense, they find some open jumpers and get inside, draw some fouls, and go on a 9-0 run. Much better!!
I've been a Bruin fan for a long time. Practice makes perfect. ;-)
UNLV has had another cold spell, 6 minutes with no score.
Sorry I didn’t mention it here but Stadium is showing the game on their Twitch stream and it’s worked pretty well for me out here at the Rose Bowl.
Clark gets his 4th foul while lying with his back on the floor?!
Yeah…
Unbelievable
Nice comeback from the Gonzaga game.
Great read by Clark!
Gotta close out now.
They stopped playing offense with 7 minutes left… why?
I don’t think so. They played a bit of a slower pace all game.
Glad to see ucla come out and play their style after the blowout. Good to see them play solid
Especially in a true non-conference rod game
Road*
Bruins by 22 with 2:27 left
Still a bit too much 1:1 for my liking… not a lot of team offense
Yeah… they really don’t pass it well without an option down low everyone seems to have it figured out that ucla will have to go 1:1
Stong is in!
I have a question, why is the UNLV team named the Rebels? Nevada was made a state expressly to provide Lincoln with electoral votes…
Born and raised in Las Vegas and grew up on UNLV basketball. The team is named the rebels because it was the second school in the state. Nevada is the older of the two. If I recall correctly the Rebels were named to rebel against the northern school. Brief but hope this helps.
The Hey Reb mascot was recently retired
Kind of goofy I know. Last fun fact, Hey Reb was in response to an early Nevada wolf that was named Beauregard. In the old days, they actually had a live pack of wolves.
That makes sense. I can’t imagine it would be a Confederate thing in Vegas.
Solid performance. Holding any opponent to 51 points is nice.