Seems like Kruger is being real selective

With all the talk that has been going on around here about transfers, it seems that Lon Kruger may be waiting for some real difference makers.

First there was Thomas and Shelley(bonafide superstar), Kruger seemed to be open at first, then slow played them and for sure was not willing to take both as a package deal. I believe he wanted Thomas, but there is the possibility that he never extended the offer.

Now we have been waiting on D Jasper, and not really paying much attention to Stanbeck from UCLA. Ther was talk on the UK board(scout, I know they suck but I already Paid) that they think Jaspers parents have already contacted UNLV and commited to LK, they are just waiting for his release. The funny part of it was some UCLA fans were on there, and they think they are still in the hunt for Jasper and Alex Stephenson from UNC, is already coming in. With the recent vacated schollies at UCLA, they could break our hearts on this one.

So my question is, who else is out there for the Rebels? We are stacked at guard with or without Jasper. Do we have any shot at Stephenson? Just wondering, thanks for your thoughts. 

sooner-

I think Kruger is being very selective. We have know clue and can only speculate as to what his strategy really is. I'm sure they are looking at 15 players for '09, '10 & '11 already. We jump on the band wagon when the obvious presents itself. They can't let on to who they're talking to, but you can bet that each assistant plus LK has a few guys lined up that they are checking on and following. I think getting Jasper would put the guard situation to bed for '08, '09 & '10. I'm sure they are not using a limited field as we have been for big men (Thomas & Trent). Its just a pain in the A-- that they cannot divulge who they are looking at. I'm hoping for Jasper, and I'll let them come up with the big men. We're set for the next 2 years at all positions, but if you can get better, you get better.  

First off...and no offense lvsooner...I don''t know that I'd put Shelley in the "bonafide superstar" category just yet.  He was a pretty good prospect coming out of high school, but he was a solid freshman player on a downright BAD Pepperdine team.  The jury is still out on how good he'll ultimately be.

As far as Kruger being selective, I don't think there's any doubt that he IS.  I think it's clear that we want Jasper.  DJ would be a great fit, and landing him would be a teriffic coup.  After that, I think Coach would be perfectly happy giving the last 2008 scholarship to Rene.  From there, I think he's looking to sign a pair of class of 2009-10 freshman (Elijah & Trent, Trent & Thames, etc.). 

If we don't wind up getting Jasper...and I think (and hope) we will...we'll likely pickup another transfer (maybe Stanbeck).  Regardless, I think we're lined up over the next several seasons to, once again, become a force nationally.

In Lon we trust.

I think lvsooner is being sarcastic.  sdfan thinks Shelley is the next coming of Kobe Bryant.  Shelley put up huge numbers, but against sorry teams.  He didn't do much when they played the Gonzaga's and St. Mary's, or even BYU.  Other than the top 3 in the WCC, the rest of the teams are horrible.  Not to mention Pepperdine's pathetic non-conf. schedule.

Coach Kruger should have plenty to chose from in the coming seasons, I would love to see Jasper sign up, as he could be a major difference maker.

sd fan,

Let's be real, whenever anybody post something to prove you to be incorrect, isn't that what you have been doing.  You are a joke, don't come on here playing stupid when someone throws your own crap back at you.

There are alot of transfers that are going to be coming out after finals, some good, and some not so good. I think Kruger will have his choice on most of them, and some I wish he had his choice on. It will be interesting to see who we end up with.

Yes I was being sarcastic with the Tyronne Shelley, bonafide superstar, a guy that shoots 40% for a team that goes 11-21 is hardly a bonafide superstar I agree.

GO REBELS!

There's absolutely no doubt that coach Kruger is being selective. Derelicts like Adeife, Roberson and Lawrence have made it so he has to use an air tight screening process in my opinion. Malcolm Thomas going to SDSU is annoying but he'll learn his lesson soon enough when he experiences first hand Steve Fisher can bring in loads of talent but can't coach and underachieves dramatically on a very regular basis.

Finding out that Stanback left UCLA and is considering UNLV is intriuging but I'm still crossing my fingers for Derrick Jasper. As for what will really happen with the scholarships I'm not really overly concerned. It seems like every prospect we're going after is golden in one way or an other. Kruger is going to make the right choices, I'm not worried about that an iota. I'm basically going to sit back and enjoy the ride.

I agree with most of you, our big catch out there is Jasper. He's another "coach on the court" type LK likes so much. He brings superior talent, experience, decission making, unselfishness and winning attitude to a team that already has excellent ability. We'll do well even without him, but I think he makes us an elite "8" caliber team in '09 & '10. Hamga will stay two years, and other '08 guys get a years experience, Jasper plus 4 others (Lopez, Hawkins + two) in '09 should be the best rebel team since '91.   

I think Jasper is probably ready to end all the speculation and "get it done" during the coming week. I hope a "dark horse" hasn't entered the picture to lure him away from UNLV. I can't believe the Tubby & Minnesota rumors. If you were homesick in Kentucky, in Minnesota you'd go out of your mind. Plus, a better chance of more success at UNLV. I think USC is out of the picture due to the Mayo thing, and don't know if UCLA has real interest?

With Jasper on the court, UNLV will hardly ever be out-rebounded. Jasper 6'6, Willis 6'4, Shaw/Santee 6'8, Lopez 6'10, The "B-Boys" Beas/Brice 7' & 6'10. Not to mention Mitchell at 6'6 with great leaping ability. Not a lot of second shot opportunities for the competition!  

oh great swami sdfan- Jasper averaged 5 rebs a game last season with a brace on his knee! You think he's going to get worse with a years r&r?

The Jasper/Willis duo will out re-bound every other guard combo in the MWC. SF Mitchell is an above average rebounder, Hamga way above average, so if the PF's are average, that still would be a very above average team. You know "TEAM", the concept that SDSU has not mastered yet!

sdfan

UNLV has a rare chance this year to develop some chemistry before the season starts.  They will be playing 6 or so games in Ausie Land this Summer.  If chemistry is a problem, we all know that Kruger will pluck out the bad weeds early as proven this last season.  Darger didn't once complain last year about not getting enough shots.  He did what most would call the impossible by playing the 5 spot and did it with style.

See, what a lot of fans from other "teams" don't seem to understand is that the concept of team is not lost on the Rebels like many other schools out thera, like SDSU.  Go ahead and take your coach killer players from Pepperdine and let Kruger take his pick of a whole group of talented players.

sdfan-

They've been trying to develop it for 9 years at SDSU, and it hasn't taken yet!

sdfan.....

I'm trying to understand  something.  You have seen the talent that has gone through sdsu.  Your coach, simply put, can't get a group of kids on the same page.  Here are a couple "ifs" for you.  If coach Kruger were here at UNLV, oh lets say 7 years ago, and had some of the talent sdsu had, I'm sure Kruger would have atleast won a game or two in the tourney then.  What did your coach do with the talent?  Let thier egos run him, which equates to first round losses or second round NIT losses.  We here at UNLV were lucky enough to have Spoon come in and stabalize everything, and Kruger to come in and elevate everything.  You have no need questioning UNLV's chemistry as a team, look in the mirror before you question someone else.