With a new head coach in place, UNLV has a chance to add transfers quickly to help out next season’s roster. And Kevin Kruger is looking for a point guard.
Tyree Ihenacho is transferring out of North Dakota and UNLV is interested, according to Sean Paul.
Ihenacho averaged 4.1 assists per game last season, which is the highest mark of any player in the transfer portal. UNLV desperately needs a point guard after last season saw the Rebels play multiple players out of position at the point.
Marvin Coleman will be able to return to UNLV next season after he missed most of the year due to an injury. But if the Rebels want to be contenders in the Mountain West, they will likely need a better point guard.
But would Ihenacho be a better option? His assist totals are impressive at 4.1; he was third in the Summit League in assist rate. Plus he shot well from three, hitting 35.4 percent. And he got to the rim, as 63.5 percent of his shots were layups last season.
Those three stats make Ihenacho an intriguing prospect.
But he did not finish well at the rim (shot 47 percent). His sample size on three pointers was small (48 attempts). And he would be taking a step up in competition. Just like David Jenkins did when he left South Dakota State for UNLV.
The shooting could very well translate, as would the passing ability. The biggest question would be Ihenacho’s ability to get to the rim. That is much harder to replicate at a higher level. And his poor finishing would likely be highlighted even more.
The other interested schools – St. John’s, Montana, Pacific, Drake, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Western Michigan – give mixed reviews about what level he could excel at.
Ihenacho just finished his freshman season at North Dakota. So if UNLV lands him, they will get a point guard with three years of eligibility remaining.
It might be reading too much into UNLV’s interest, but this is the first sign of what Kevin Kruger wants to add to his roster. A point guard should be near the top of the priority list.