CHICAGO • David Rice wasn't on the coaching staff at UNLV last March when Illinois destroyed the Rebels in the NCAA Tournament.
Yet, before arriving at the United Center on Saturday, the first-year Nevada-Las Vegas coach had convinced his assistants and players that the updated Illini are a more dangerous team, a more balanced team, in fact, a better team.
In the span of two hours, UNLV put a serious dent in that theory with a decisive 64-48 victory.
Coming off consecutive close calls at home, 19th-ranked Illinois was made to appear dysfunctional offensively as the Illini shot 25 percent, ending the chance that Thursday's Braggin' Rights game will feature two unbeaten teams.
"To be 10-0 was maybe a little bit of a surprise,'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "Maybe this was not dealing with success, maybe not being cut in. The biggest thing is (UNLV) is an experienced team. They came here maybe with a little edge and out-toughed us from the get-go. We picked it up a little in the second half but couldn't get the ball in the hoop."
The Illini (10-1) were a disaster in every aspect, making seven of 25 3-pointers (28 percent), nine of 38 inside the arc (24 percent) and nine of 18 from the free throw line (50 percent).
The starters continued to get little support from the bench, which contributed one field goal and three points. And center Meyers Leonard was a non-factor as Illinois suffered its third consecutive loss at the United Center.
"We watched last year's game, not for the revenge factor but because in the tournament we didn't make them earn any baskets,'' said Rice, who was an assistant at Brigham Young University for six years. "They are very scary on film. I think they're better than last year because they are so much more balanced. It helped our confidence being in the game at the first media timeout."
UNLV was led by forward Mike Moser, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Illinois offense was so out of sync that forced shots led to at least a half dozen air balls. Brandon Paul and Sam Maniscalco, two of the Illini's most experienced players, combined to make three of 22 shots.
Leonard made one of six free throws after shooting 82 percent from the line in the first 10 games. At one point, freshman Tracy Abrams was dribbling without pressure and backed up so far that he stepped on the mid-court line.
"I think we just stand too much,'' Maniscalco said. "After we run the initial action, we catch ourselves standing, watching the ball. The opponent can zone in on the ball. We don't keep them on their toes."
D.J. Richardson was the only saving grace for the Illini. His 19 points and five 3-pointers helped Illinois stay within reach in the second half.
After UNLV (11-2) built a 50-34 lead, the Illini pulled within eight with 4 minutes 50 seconds remaining. But they missed four free throws during that stretch and botched one possession after another, failing to take advantage of UNLV's seven-minute drought without a field goal.
Leonard's inability to get good shots or even touch the ball for stretches was a fatal flaw. The Rebels double-teamed him early and forced him to catch the ball 10 to 15 feet from the basket all afternoon.
Weber suggested that Leonard is starting to be effected by talk of his future.
"Honestly, all the stuff about the NBA, where he is going, it's too much for him,'' he said. "He has to be a good college player and when he's a good college player he'll have a chance to be in the NBA. It's going a little fast for him. Maybe now he'll settle down and come to practice and get better."
Illinois will need more production from its bench to build on its early success. The reserves, including four freshmen, made one of 11 shots and committed five of the team's 15 turnovers. The bench has been outscored in five consecutive games, producing 29 points.
"The young guys are doubting, questioning. It's a difficult thing,'' Weber said. "It was a good experience for them to come up, get too hyped and have the other team take it to them."
