October is one of the many months sports fans drool over. NFL, college football, basketball and even postseason baseball are all taking place. You can’t forget about the haunting vibes of Halloween looming over. Pumpkins, sports, candy, ghosts and, more importantly, bats.
During Monday’s practice at UNLV, as the team ran through their usual drills, an unexpected and almost unpredictable guest decided to make an appearance.
A bat came flying down from the rafters, making its way across the national championship banner from the 1990 season. Soon enough, the flying mammal returned to the rafters, attempting to find its way out of the building.
Since it is Halloween season and bats are one of the many indicators that the festivities are around, ‘tis the season, right?
The Runnin’ Rebels are facing their own scary endeavors as they are not off to the most ideal start to the season. Having not yet played a game and just a few closed-door scrimmages, UNLV is facing the injury bug a little too early for comfort.
Walking into Monday’s practice, sophomore Guard Dedan “DJ” Thomas Jr. was in a boot and, even more noticeably, using a walking cane to help offer support. Post practice, UNLV coach Kevin Kruger addressed the media and shared that Thomas had “just rolled his ankle.”
“As you guys saw, unfortunately DJ’s in a boot right now,” Kruger said. “That’ll probably be a couple weeks.”
UNLV is set to take on Alabama State for its season and home opener for the 2024-25 season. There are high expectations for this team going into Kruger’s fourth season. The staff retained Thomas, the Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year, after his breakout freshman year.
Thomas, the Runnin’ Rebels main ball handler, averaged 13.6 points and 5.1 assists per game last season. He came up big in key moments against the tough opponents of the Mountain West.
Losing Thomas for the beginning season, likely out for the games against Alabama State and Memphis, obviously isn’t ideal for the Scarlet and Gray. Kruger alluded to his team being in a “better position this year compared to this time last year.”
UNLV is no stranger to injuries. Last season, the Runnin’ Rebels lost senior Jalen Hill to an ACL injury against Pepperdine. Forward Rob Whaley Jr. suffered an ankle injury in their game against Colorado State. Whaley also continues to rehab a back injury.
Kruger also lost a key rebounder and scorer in Kalib Boone to an ankle injury that sidelined him during the first round of the Mountain West tournament against San Diego State. Boone also was sidelined for the team’s first game in the NIT against Princeton in New Jersey.
As the season approaches, Hill is still rehabbing and getting to full speed. Kruger spoke of Hill having “rep restrictions.”
Hill, brings size and athleticism to UNLV. It’s a mystery if he’ll see the court on Monday. If UNLV can get him going and back to full action, his veteran experience and inside scoring will elevate its squad.
UNLV is used to being shorthanded, that’s just the way the cards have been dealt. There is, however, enough talent on this team to generate some noise and get the season started in an ideal way.
Senior Oral Roberts transfer Jailen Bedford is likely to get the go-ahead as the main ball handler in Thomas’s absence.
Bedford averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game at Oral Roberts last season. Bedford is no stranger to being a ball handler and will be, along with Brooklyn Hicks, UNLV’s go-to guy.
“Jaiden handles the ball well,” Kruger said. “It’s one of those things that we’re gonna do our best to prepare those guys and put them in good situations to succeed.”
Kruger mentioned another player on “rep restrictions.” Junior Boise State transfer Jace Whiting, another player Kruger hoped to have on the court in the absence of Thomas.
The former Bronco was a role player for the team, snagging a few rebounds and only averaging 3.3 points per game last season. Whiting arrived at UNLV looking to stretch the floor and provide reliable shooting for the Runnin’ Rebels.
With guys questionable and the lineup being significantly altered, the next man up mentality is in full effect for Kruger’s squad. Redshirt freshman Jacob Bannarbie, a former three-star prospect originally from Anchorage, Alaska, is preparing to suit up for his first collegiate season.
Bannarbie, a 6-foot-9 forward, is familiar with the style of play Kruger has implemented and eager to start his career
“I’m just excited to go out there and prove to everybody what I can do,” Bannarbie said. “I’m just trying to improve my game inside and out.”
Not the most ideal beginning to what can be seen as a crucial season for UNLV. The Runnin’ Rebels are coming off a 21-13 record and quarterfinal postseason run in the NIT. UNLV wants to take that next step and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013.
“I guess we’ll find out right,” Kruger said. Not about his team but about if the bat seen at practice was “friend or foe.”
“I don’t know what that means honestly, I know nobody expected to talk about bats today,” Kruger added.
UNLV certainly feels the ominous aura of Halloween season. The scary world of the unknown as its season opener hangs in the balance without some of the key pieces hoping to make an impact early.
The Runnin’ Rebels suit up for their home opener on Nov. 4. UNLV hosts Alabama State for a late tipoff at 8:30 p.m. PST.