Kevin Kruger was committed to a 10-man rotation through the first three games of the season. UNLV had 10 players averaging 10 minutes or more per game entering Friday.
But against fourth-ranked Michigan, Kruger only played six players 10 minutes or more.
| Player | Minutes vs Michigan |
|---|---|
| Jordan McCabe | 37 |
| Donovan Williams | 37 |
| Bryce Hamilton | 36 |
| Michael Nuga | 33 |
| Royce Hamm | 27 |
| David Muoka | 10 |
| Keshon Gilbert | 9 |
| Josh Baker | 6 |
| Justin Webster | 2 |
| Marvin Coleman | 1 |
Hamm picked up two fouls early in the first half and went to bench prompting Kruger to use his bench. David Muoka played in his absence, and Kruger even played small with five guards on the floor. Otherwise, Kruger stuck with his starters.
The two notable cuts were Josh Baker and Marvin Coleman.
Baker started the first three games of the season, but he was replaced by Donovan Williams. Baker conceivably gives the Rebels a boost to the Rebels, as he drilled 48.7 percent of his triple at junior college last season. Though he is just 1 of 9 from beyond the arc to start the season.
Marvin Coleman played just one minute and turned the ball over with a bad pass. He didn’t see the floor again. Michigan’s length bothered the Rebels and Coleman was not a good matchup.
UNLV will play just one more team in the same tier as Michigan when UCLA comes to Thomas & Mack later this month. Kruger will probably show more trust in the bench against Wichita State on Sunday and every other game on the schedule.
Victor Iwuakor will likely find some playing time when he is healthy. He has missed the first four games of the season with an arm injury and has yet to participate in practice. He will add to the front court and could push Muoka out of the rotation.
But for the first time, we learned who Kruger really trusts.