UNLV’s Embarrassing Upset Against UT Martin Marks a Disturbing Start to the Josh Pastner Era, Echoing the Fall of Giants in History and Sports Alike, as Newcomers Struggle to Find Their Identity Amidst Chaos and Disarray in the Quest for Redemption and Glory in the Basketball Arena
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Runnin’ Rebels opened their season with a shocking defeat against the University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) Skyhawks, marking an inauspicious beginning to the Josh Pastner era. Despite entering the game as 17.5-point favorites, the Rebels fell to the Skyhawks 86-81, revealing significant issues that could haunt them throughout the season.
The game began with UNLV taking a narrow lead into halftime, 43-39, but the second half saw a dramatic shift as UT Martin outscored them 47-38. This unexpected turnaround highlighted the Rebels’ inability to maintain control and capitalize on their early momentum. Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, a transfer from Illinois, emerged as UNLV’s top scorer with 18 points, but his efforts were not enough to secure a victory.
The Skyhawks’ success can be attributed to their European players, particularly Romanian guard Dragos Lungu and Serbian forward Andrija Bukumirović, who each scored 23 points. Their sharpshooting was a critical factor in the game, as they combined for seven three-pointers, with Bukumirović showcasing remarkable efficiency by hitting 71.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc. This performance underscores a growing trend in college basketball, where international players are increasingly making significant impacts on American teams.
One of the most glaring issues for UNLV was the turnover margin. The Rebels committed eight more turnovers than the Skyhawks, which not only gave UT Martin additional possessions but also translated into a staggering disparity in free throw attempts. The Skyhawks capitalized on this advantage, earning 48 free throw attempts compared to UNLV’s 37. Although UT Martin converted only 27 of those attempts, the sheer volume of opportunities allowed them to maintain a lead and ultimately secure the win.
UNLV’s scoring was relatively balanced, with contributions from Kimani Hamilton (13 points), Al Green (12 points), and Ladji Dembele (9 points). Jacob Bannarbie, who had been waiting for his chance to shine, made the most of his minutes with nine points and eight rebounds. Freshman forward Tyrin Jones also demonstrated promise on the boards, contributing nine rebounds. However, the collective effort was undermined by a lack of cohesion, which became increasingly evident as the game progressed.
As the clock wound down, UNLV attempted to mount a comeback, but a critical 12-0 run by UT Martin with six minutes remaining effectively sealed the Rebels’ fate. This loss serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with integrating a new roster. Following the firing of former head coach Kevin Kruger, Pastner inherited a team with 13 newcomers, including eight from Division I programs, a former international professional, a junior college transfer, and three first-year students. The lack of familiarity and chemistry among the players was glaringly apparent, emphasizing the need for rapid adaptation and unity.
Pastner’s coaching tenure at UNLV comes with immense pressure, especially given the legacy of the program and the recent naming of the court in honor of legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian and his wife, Lois. The expectations are high, and the need for a quick turnaround is urgent. The Rebels must address their turnover issues and improve their defensive strategies to avoid further embarrassments as the season unfolds.
The upcoming game against the Chattanooga Mocs on November 8 will be a critical test for UNLV. As they prepare to face another team from Tennessee, the Rebels must find a way to gel and establish a cohesive identity on the court. The challenges ahead are significant, but the potential for growth and improvement remains. The question now is whether Pastner can navigate these early setbacks and lead his team to a successful season, or if this loss will set the tone for a tumultuous year ahead.
UNLV started the Josh Pastner era on Tuesday night and got a punch to the gut instantly. Despite being 17.5-point favorites, the UT Martin Skyhawks took down the Runnin’ Rebels in an upset, 86-81.
The Rebels were ahead at halftime, 43-39, but the Skyhawks flipped the script with a 47-38 second half. UNLV guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, a transfer from Illinois, was UNLV’s top scorer with 18 points.
Europeans lead the way for the Skyhawks. Romanian guard Dragos Lungu and Serbian forward Andrija Bukumirović were the top scorers for UT Martin, both scoring 23 points. They combined to hit seven threes, and Bukumirović shot an efficient 71.4% from deep.
The biggest mistake for the Rebels was the turnover margin. UNLV turned the ball over eight more times than UT Martin, giving the Skyhawks extra possessions, which led to more free throws. There were a crazy number of free throw attempts. The Skyhawks had 48 attempts from the charity stripe, while UNLV had 37. UT Martin, on their 48 attempts, only made 27 of them. The simple act of going to the line, though, is what gave the Skyhawks the edge over the Rebels.
UNLV had a balanced approach throughout the game, but lacked control. Alongside Gibbs-Lawhorn’s 18, forward Kimani Hamilton scored 13, guard Al Green dropped 12, and forward Ladji Dembele had nine. Forward Jacob Bannarbie, who has been waiting in the wings at UNLV, finally got solid minutes and turned those minutes into energy, producing nine points and eight boards. Freshman forward Tyrin Jones was also solid at bringing in rebounds with nine.
The Rebels tried to mount a comeback, but with six minutes left in the second half, UT Martin went on a 12-0 run, a spark that UNLV couldn’t come back from.
This is an entirely new roster with Bannarbie being the only newcomer after the firing of Kevin Kruger. There are 13 newcomers, with eight from Division I, a former international professional, a JUCO transfer, and three first-year students. It’s a team that needs to gel, and this loss made it apparent that the squad hasn’t gelled yet.
The turnover margin and fouls are something that Pastner and his staff will want to work on. There is a lot of pressure with this job, especially after the court was named in honor of Jerry Tarkanian and his wife, Lois. Pastner will need to navigate the road bumps and unite the team under the UNLV brand.
The next game for UNLV will be on Saturday, November 8, at the Thomas & Mack Center against another team from Tennessee, the Chattanooga Mocs.