LAS VEGAS – When he was a child living in Florida, UNLV Runnin’ Rebels coach Kevin Kruger went to a lot of Orlando Magic games and was mystified by Penny Hardaway.
Kruger will coach against one of his idols when the Runnin’ Rebels take the floor against Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers at Thomas and Mack Center on Saturday. The tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
“In my opinion, he would have gone down as one of the best ever,” Kruger said. “He would have been in the discussion of one of the best basketball players of all time had he had a healthy NBA career. Always smiling, always nice.”
The Tigers (1-0) are coming off an 83-75 win against Missouri on Monday. They have been considered one of the premier mid-major teams for a long time.
Hardaway has constructed an older roster filled with players he’s familiar with. Kruger rallied off practically all of Memphis’s guards as dangerous, starting with Tyrese Hunter and P.J. Haggerty.
“They’re incredibly fast and athletic,” Kruger said. “We’re familiar with their roster. We know who they are.”
MEMPHIS MATINEE IN THE MACK ????
???? Memphis
⏰ 3:00 PM
???? Thomas & Mack
???? MWN/SSSEN
???? ESPN Las Vegas
????️ https://t.co/dBcXezoflM pic.twitter.com/eBEGHzYEzk— UNLV Men's Basketball (@TheRunninRebels) November 9, 2024
Memphis forwards Moussa Cisse and Dain Dainja look to dominate the middle of the paint with their size and strength. They’re an experienced duo, having played numerous games on the ESPN family of networks in high-profile games.
It offers a different challenge for UNLV forwards Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry and Rob Whaley. The Runnin’ Rebel duo had a strong night, dominating Alabama State inside to the tune of 42-26 points in the paint.
“I’m excited to play,” Cherry said. “Their two big men are phenomenal players, so I think it’ll be my first test. I’m ready for it for sure.”
UNLV values the paint touch so much that they track the number and number of points they score off a paint touch. Kruger doesn’t want his team to deviate from what worked against Alabama State.
He expressed, however, a concern that the duo of Cisse and Dainja would prompt the Runnin’ Rebels to pass the ball around the perimeter and take 3-pointers. Kruger warned the team against that.
“We just can’t have that. We’ve got to drive. We’ve got to kick,” Kruger said. “We’ve got to take good shots when they’re there because Memphis is extremely athletic. They’re extremely talented. They play really well off each other, especially if they’re ever in a scramble situation. We have to be just really sharp. We’ve got to be really crisp. We’ve got to step up.”
A win would be a big boost to UNLV’s NCAA Tournament resume, as the Tigers were predicted to finish second in the American Athletic Conference by the coaches.
But Kruger knows it won’t be easy to pick up a win against one of his idols, who is now his coaching rival.
“We know it’s going to be a fight if we want to get out here with a win,” Kruger said.
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
