Freshman forward Alando Tucker was nearly perfect and the swing offense was in full effect as the UW men's basketball team routed the previously unbeaten University of Nevada-Las Vegas Running Rebels Saturday, 91-74.
Tucker was inserted into the starting line-up in place of junior center Dave Mader in order to keep up with the athletic Rebels. Head Coach Bo Ryan's move seemed to be appreciated by the fans as the Kohl Center gave a loud ovation as Tucker was announced during the starting line-up. During the game Tucker gave the crowd plenty to cheer about. Tucker's effort was even more impressive than his 18 rebounds, 24 points and electrifying alley-oop dunk according to UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour.
\He plays with a lot of enthusiasm and the thing I liked about him was he stayed after it,"" Spoonhour said. ""Even when he didn't get the ball in the basket the first time. And he's tough. I like that. I'm sure he can jump up high and dunk it and all that,"" Spoonhour said. ""But I liked the way he played with his body and with his grip. I like him a lot.""
With Tucker in the starting lineup the team seemed to have a different look to the start of the game. Tucker got the scoring going with two quick baskets to start the game and sophomore guard Devin Harris quickly followed with a three point bucket off a great pass from junior guard Freddie Owens to make it 7-0. With Tucker providing matchup problems the Badgers were able to spread the court and move the ball well in order to create driving lanes and passing lanes they weren't creating in Wednesday's loss to Wake Forest.
With the Badger's playing solid defense and creating easy opportunities on offense the score quickly jumped to 17-4. Harris especially did a great job on containing UNLV senior guard Marcus Banks, who had only seven points, compared with his previous average of 23 points. The defense played at a high level the entire first half leading to a 47-31 halftime lead.
However, the Rebels were not quite ready to throw in the towel. The Rebels pulled to within five at 77-72 with just over five minutes left. Banks and junior center J.K. Edwards missed back-to-back shots that could have cut the game to one possession. On the next play Owens missed a tough jumper but Tucker grabbed the rebound, missing a layup only to grab another rebound and finish with a kiss off the glass.
After a free throw by UNLV senior guard Jermaine Lewis, Owens scooted through the lane and dropped a great pass to Harris for an easy lay in. Harris, who had spent seven minutes on the bench with four fouls, scored six straight points, sealing the game with a steal and dunk that put the game out of reach.
""I'm not used to [sitting on the bench], so I had a bundle of energy,"" Harris said. ""I was ready to bounce off the walls.""
The Badgers boasted a balanced attack with five players in double figures, including Tucker. Harris finished with 20 points. Senior forward Kirk Penney added 17 and Owens and Wilkinson each scored 15.
