REBELS READY TO OPEN SEASON
UNLV is just about set to take the floor for its season-opening game against San Diego at the Thomas & Mack Center.
When the schedules came out, the game looked like a very difficult early season test.
The Toreros, however, will be missing at least three key contributors.
The fact that Gyno Pomare and Trumaine Johnson will serve suspensions today makes this a must-win game for the Rebels.
Key reserve Clinton Houston also will miss the game for San Diego.
A fourth member of the Toreros’ rotation, De’Jon Jackson, is questionable with a knee injury.
UNLV is at full strength. It certainly can’t afford to lose a home game to a depleted squad.
FIRED UP FANS
Expectations can do wonders for attendance figures.
The Thomas & Mack is as full and loud as its been for a November game in a long time.
Even the upper level is starting to fill up in the middle sections.
The student section is most impressive area in the arena. Every seat was filled in the three lower student sections long before tipoff.
As long as this team wins, huge crowds likely will show up to see it play.
The fans that were here early also got the special treat of seeing yet another Mountain West Conference tournament banner raised to the rafters.
EARLY PRACTICE
It should come as no surprise that Rene Rougeau was on the floor by himself working on his game an hour before game time.
Rougeau always has been a tireless worker, and it shows in all the hustle plays he has made throughout his career.
It’s just nice to see that becoming a star in his senior year has not diminished his work ethic.
