UNLV men's basketball preview: Dedan Thomas Jr. leads Rebels | UNLV Basketball | sport

Kevin Kruger feels a touch of deja vu as he talks about the Rebels' preseason.

Less than a week into his fourth season as coach of the UNLV men's basketball team, Kruger is optimistic about the group's potential — but is keeping his fingers crossed about whether key players are available and how they will ultimately fit together.

It's not much different than the Rebels last season, as injuries and an eligibility issue prevented the team from fielding a full roster in preseason.

“There are some similarities (to last year) strangely,” Kruger said Thursday.

The Rebels open the 2024-25 season at home against Alabama State on Monday at 8:30 p.m., and the team could be without up to three players.

The Rebels were picked fifth in the Mountain West preseason poll last month after going 21-13 overall and 12-6 in the conference last year. UNLV also played in the NIT and earned its first postseason win in 16 years before losing to Seton Hall in the quarterfinals.

Experience and chemistry could be UNLV's key advantage this season. The Rebels are seeking their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013. It will feature a retooled roster led by returning second-year point guard Dedan Thomas Jr.

“I think we have a good level of maturity right now,” Kruger said. “We obviously have great returners and a great mix of people who have come in. To only have four portal broadcasts is a pretty low number across the country.”

Kruger is confident in the team's mindset based on the tests he put them through in the offseason.

“We like it when guys figure things out. We like to put them in situations where they can solve things on the fly and figure things out,” he said. “(The returnees) did a good job and showed the newcomers not to think too much. That’s how we want to do it: learn, figure it out, take responsibility.”

Thomas cracked

Thomas was the Rebels' most valuable signing last season after being one of the early question marks. He missed both preseason games due to a hand injury, but was the only Rebel to play in every regular season game.

It's unclear whether Thomas, UNLV's lone preseason All-Mountain West team honoree, can repeat that feat.

He was available for the Rebels' only road game this year against San Diego on Oct. 18, and the general feeling was that he dominated. But Thomas is dealing with an ankle injury that Kruger said would keep him out of at least the start of the season. Kruger relented Thursday, saying Thomas was a “game-time decision.”

Boise State transfer guard Jace Whiting and graduate forward Jalen Hill are also injured.

“We feel like we’re in a better place (this season),” Kruger said, “and a big reason for that is DJ.”

Thomas shined most in late-game scenarios last season, and Kruger has noted that the more “balanced” roster this season should allow him to thrive.

Kruger praises Thomas as a “traditional point guard” who focuses solely on wins, losses and the flow of the game. But he said he didn't want the 6-foot-10 former Liberty High star to have to bring the ball upfield and make decisions on every possession. Whiting should be able to help with that.

Thomas also expressed excitement about senior transfer guard Jailen Bedford from Oral Roberts, describing him as an aggressive three-level scorer.

From Thomas' perspective, this year is all about team success. On several occasions, he has mentioned that he spends time in the weight room throughout the summer to prevent himself from being “bullied” at games.

“I wouldn't say I have any personal goals per se, I just do my best in every game and win as many games as I can – as best as we can as a team,” he said. “And I just got to the NCAA tournament.”

New faces

The frontcourt is led by 6-7, 260-pound returning forward Rob Whaley Jr., who said he sees this season as his “breakout year.”

He and the team are excited about New Mexico Junior College Transfer Center Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry. Whaley noted that the nickname is easily explained by simply looking at the 6-11, 280-pounder.

Kruger has a big problem as Cherry, Whaley and other members of the team can occupy the fourth or fifth spot. He also mentioned Isaiah Cottrell and 7-foot international Pape N'Diaye as options.

“If we can find the right way to sort things out and play well together, I think we have a chance of being a pretty good team,” he said. “Obviously it's a group that we expect to get better as the year goes on, as is the case with many other teams.”

Contact Callie Fin at [email protected]. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.

UNLV men's basketball

Next

Who: Alabama State at UNLV

When: Monday, 8:30 p.m

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: SSSEN

Radio: KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM)

About the Rebels: The Rebels lost a stunning 85-71 loss to Southern in their season opener last year. UNLV coach Kevin Kruger said the result had no impact on the team's preparation this year.

“It doesn’t really change much other than we want to get off to a good start when the conference comes around, you know,” Kruger said. “(You) try to play from the front.”

“We didn’t take them lightly,” he said of the Jaguars’ approach last season.

Kruger said the Rebels are dealing with several injuries at this point – which could pose a problem again. Star point guard Dedan Thomas Jr., UNLV's only preseason All-Mountain West selection, will be a mid-game decision.

About the Hornets: This is the team's first meeting with the Rebels. Alabama State went 13-19 last season and finished eighth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at 8-10. The Hornets return seven players, including TJ Madlock, CJ Hines and Ubong Okon, all of whom earned preseason All-SWAC honors.

Roster

No. 0 – Isaiah Cottrell, junior forward, 6-11

No. 1 – Jalen Hill, graduate forward, 6-6

No. 2 – James Evans Jr., freshman guard, 6-6

No. 3 – Luke Naser, freshman guard, 6-0

No. 5 – Rob Whaley Jr., senior forward, 6-7

No. 10 – Jaden Henley, junior guard, 6-7

No. 11 – Dedan Thomas Jr., sophomore guard, 6-1

No. 12 – Jacob Bannarbie, freshman forward, 6-9

No. 13 – Brooklyn Hicks, sophomore guard, 6-3

No. 14 – Jailen Bedford, senior guard, 6-4

No. 15 – Jace Whiting, junior guard, 6-3

No. 20 – Julian Rishwain, graduate, 6-6

No. 22 – Pape N'Diaye, freshman forward, 7-0

No. 24 – DeMarion Yap, freshman guard, 6-3

No. 31 – Faris Mucharbach, freshman forward, 6-11

No. 45 – Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry, junior forward, 6-11

schedule

All home games at the Thomas & Mack Center unless otherwise noted

Monday against Alabama State

Saturday against Memphis

November 14 against Omaha

Nov. 20 vs. Pepperdine

Nov. 23 vs. New Mexico State

November 28 vs. Mississippi State, Tempe, Arizona.

November 29 vs. Butler or Northwestern, Mullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona.

December 7 at Creighton

December 14 vs. Pacific, Lee's Family Forum

December 17 in Dayton

Dec. 21 vs. UC Riverside

Dec. 28 vs. Fresno State

December 31st in the Air Force

Jan. 4 vs. San Jose State

Jan. 7 at Boise State

Jan. 11 at Colorado State

Jan. 15 vs. Utah State

Jan. 18 at San Diego State

Jan. 21 vs. Wyoming

Jan. 25 vs. New Mexico

Jan. 29 at Utah State

February 1 at UNR

Feb. 4 vs. Boise State

February 8 in Wyoming

February 11th against the Luftwaffe

Feb. 15 at Fresno State

Feb. 22 vs. Colorado State

Feb. 25 at San Jose State

February 28 against UNR

March 4 vs. San Diego State

March 7 in New Mexico