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Depth Concern as UNLV Golf Opens League Playoffs
By Jeff Wollard, Las Vegas Review-Journal
April 27, 2000
UNLV golf coach Dwaine Knight admits he has coached stronger teams. While he acknowledges this year's team doesn't have the depth of those in recent years, Knight said he thinks the 10th-ranked Rebels have a chance to make a national statement as they head into the Mountain West Conference Championships at Palm Desert, Calif., on Monday. "We're not quite as strong as we've been in the past," said Knight, whose team has struggled with consistency. "Our depth is just not as productive." Knight knows he can count on his top players -- Jeremy Anderson and Michael Kirk. Although neither has met Knight's preseason expectations, both have shown signs they could peak in the postseason. "Jeremy and Michael are going to have to play at a high level," said Knight, in his 13th year with the Rebels. "Both are really close to getting back there." Two weeks ago, Anderson and Kirk finished at 5-under-par 211 to tie for fourth at the Arizona State Thunderbird/Savane Invitational. Question marks surround the remainder of the team. "Our depth is going to have to throw in some consistent scores," said Knight, who said a poor second round kept his team out of contention in the Arizona State tournament. "We can't keep having that one poor round we've been having. You just can't get away with that against great teams." Knight said he thinks his squad has learned from its mistakes and is ready to play with confidence. "There's no question we're a strong team," he said. "We certainly haven't had the year like we've had the last four years, but we've got a lot of fight in us. I'm hoping we're going to peak at just the right time." Brigham Young appears to be the team to beat in the MWC. The No. 8 Cougars, who have spent most of the season ranked in the top 10, edged UNLV in an overtime playoff to win the Cleveland Golf/Morris Williams Intercollegiate in Austin, Texas, in March. "We know they're a good team," Knight said, "but we feel like we can play with them." After the conference tournament, UNLV will compete May 18-20 in the NCAA West Regional Championships at Madera, Calif. "If we can get going in the right direction, anything can happen," Knight said of his team's quest to advance to the NCAA finals, May 21-June 3 at Auburn, Ala. "We expect to be competitive, and there is still a considerable amount of respect for our program considering all we've been through this season."
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