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UNLV'S Lon Kruger Named Finalist for USBWA National Coach of the Year

UNLV head men's basketball coach is one of 12 finalists on the ballot for the Henry Iba Award

March 5, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - UNLV men's basketball head coach Lon Kruger has been named a finalist for the 2007-08 United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Henry Iba Award, which is presented annually to the nation's coach of the year.

Kruger, along with Texas' Rick Barnes, Drake's Keno Davis, Memphis' John Calipari, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, Xavier's Sean Miller, Purdue's Matt Painter, Tennessee's Bruce Pearl, Louisville's Rick Pitino, Wisconsin's Bo Ryan, Arizona State's Herb Sendek and Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings are the 12 finalist for the Iba Award.

Kruger has led the Rebels to a 22-6 overall record and an 11-3 Mountain West Conference mark this season, marking the first time UNLV has had back-to-back 20-win seasons since 2001-02 and 2002-03.

The Henry Iba Award has been presented since 1959. It is named for the legendary Oklahoma State coach.