Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Baxter’s dunk embodies Rebels’ frustration
Freshman forward re-emerges at end of uneven season
FRESNO, Calif. — Three takeaways from the UNLV basketball team’s 72-59 loss to Fresno State on Saturday at Save Mart Center: 1. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE?
Troy Baxter Jr. threw down a dunk in the second half like he had been saving up a heavy dose of frustration. Because he had. Baxter got the chance to play after missing the previous five games with a foot injury.
“That dunk was anger,” Baxter said. “That was me sitting down for a long time. That was anger and stuff I’ve been dealing with the past couple of weeks.”
The freshman forward was the top-rated recruit in coach Marvin Menzies’ initial class, coming in as a four-star prospect. But his season has been marked by injury and his minutes limited. He didn’t play eight of the previous nine games.
“It’s hard, it’s really hard,” Baxter said. “Sometimes I’d be pissed that I’m not playing, and I’m not used to sitting like that. But I just have to take it in. It’s nothing negative.”
Baxter almost didn’t play in this game, either, but Menzies called on him after Tyrell Green hyperextended a knee in the second half. Menzies said he didn’t know the severity of Green’s injury.
With Green out, Baxter made 3 of 4 shots and scored six points. His 10 minutes were his most since playing 16 against Air Force on Jan. 21.
As for Baxter being part of the Rebels’ plans?
“We will keep all options open going into Wednesday,” Menzies said.
2. OVERALL, ANOTHER BAD DAY FOR UNLV
Wednesday’s 66-59 victory over Utah State was the rare high moment this season, but the Rebels went back to long stretches of missing layups and open jump shots and acting as if playing defense was optional.
The Rebels (11-20, 4-14 Mountain West) have gone through some remarkable cold shooting spells all season and had two against Fresno State (19-11, 11-7). UNLV went 7:35 without a field goal during one firsthalf stretch, and the Rebels scored one basket in the first 9:10 of the second 20 minutes.
The shocking part was the Bulldogs didn’t win by 30 points, but UNLV fought back and even got within nine points with two minutes left.
“When they actually did the right things, the scouting report was pretty effective,” Menzies said. “And I think they know that, so that’s good.”
3. BUT THIS WAS A GOOD WEEK
Forget what happened against Fresno State. The focus with the Rebels should be on their future.
They picked up two commitments this past week, from 6-foot 6-inch Tervell Beck on Wednesday and 6-11 Chiekh Mbacke Diong on Friday. Menzies checked out more potential recruits Friday night in Fresno.