Will Lon Kruger play Tre'Von Willis?

A preliminary hearing has been set for UNLV guard Tre'Von Willis for November 22nd. Willis, who averaged over 17 ppg for the Runnin' Rebels last season, has been charged with one felony count of battery constituting domestic violence-strangulation and one misdemeanor charge of coercion stemming from a June 29th incident.

The problem is that UNLV's season begins 10 days prior to that court date with a game against UC Riverside.

Will Lon Kruger allow Tre'Von Willis to play while facing felony charges?
(photo credit: Daylife)

It begs the question: does Lon Kruger player Willis while he is facing felony charges? If he follows recent history, than the answer is no. Tubby Smith wouldn't play either Trevor Mbakwe or Royce White last season as both had legal issues that needed sorting out. White ended up at Iowa State, where he may or may not be eligible, while Mbakwe is still weighing his options for next season (some believe he will end up in Memphis).

Steve Wolfson, the attorney for Willis, believes he will play this year.

"The police did a preliminary investigation and that is what is the basis of the charges," Wolfson said. "We're doing our own investigation and I'm confident that when all the facts and the truth comes out, that Tre'Von will play basketball this year for UNLV, have a great year, perhaps be the leading scorer again and have a great future."

Unfortunately, the decision isn't up to Wolfson, its up to Kruger.

And even in the City of Sin, its hard to believe that Kruger will play Willis before this trial has finished playing out.

UNLV won 25 games last season and returned just about everyone important. Most believed them to be a top 25 team and one of the favorites to win the MWC. That all changes if they are without their leading scorer and best player.