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Published Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 9:53 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 10:29 p.m.
I received a technical foul on the first play of a game one year while I was coaching at UNLV, but it was the right thing to do.
It was Senior Day during the 1991 season, and I had six seniors I wanted to start. We were playing UC Irvine and I went to their coach, Bill Mulligan, and told him of my plan.
I didn't want to disrespect the other team because Bill was a great coach and a friend of mine, but I had to get those seniors the recognition they deserved.
The official called the technical after the tipoff. I didn't worry about giving up the point because we were so good that season.
UNLV will honor its seniors Saturday against Wyoming, and it looks like they will give those players one last victory.
They need to win Saturday, and then reach the finals of the Mountain West Conference tournament to get invited to the NCAAs.
I give the Rebels a lot of credit for the way they played last week. Even though they had three easy games, it's always hard to win at this time of the year regardless of what team you play. But they made it look easy.
They have a great chance to win the league tournament, especially since it is on their home court. I think they will be an eight or nine seed in the NCAAs if they can make the conference finals.
UNLV doesn't want to leave their fate in the hands of the selection committee. You never know what they are thinking or who they are going to seed where.
The NCAA tournament is in two weeks and everyone is picking Kansas, Kentucky or Syracuse. But I like Ohio State.
Maybe I should wait until the pairings come out, but Ohio State is playing really well right now. They are definitely a dark horse.
I'll share some of my tournament memories next week, including beating Georgetown when it had Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo in the same starting lineup.
That was a great tribute for your seniors, Tark!
Don't agree that the Rebs have to make it to the finals to get in but it wouldn't hurt.
I remember that game well. Starting all seniors is a tradition I wish we still had. It must be a great thrill for the guys that work so hard in practice but rarely get to have their name called to be introduced as a starter.
Who were the 6 seniors in 1991? or Did Tark mean the 91-92 season (his last)? If he did mean 1990-1991, then that team had at least 9 seniors on it; it would be 10 if I could think of the 6th of who Tark refers.
Here's who I can remember...
Jeter, Bice, Emerzian, Rice, Joyce...I can't think of the 6th.
Spencer, Hunt, and Love were Juniors. Everyone else was an underclassman...
Who can help?
Reagan: The Senior Day against UC Irvine was Feb. 23, 1991. UNLV won 114-86. Tark stared George Ackles, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon, Travis Bice, Larry Johnson and Dave Rice. Bryan Emerzian, who on a side note is one of my favorite Rebels of all-time, was a senior in 1992. So was Melvin Love. I was in the ninth grade that year and at the Irvine game. My dad had a pair of season tickets, which meant I spent several school nights at the Mack. Pretty cool childhood.
I too, was at the game. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I was hoping Kruger would do it for the 2006-07 team but he didn't. I was real disappointed but I understand not wanting to start in a hole. However, I think the momentum carried by the jesture would make up for the worst case scenario, starting down 6-0.
For those wondering about the 6 points, it would be two free throws on the tech. and then a 3 pointer with a foul and made free throw on the ensuing possession. Very unlikely.
I thought Tark meant he started 6 of the "bench" seniors. That's where I got confused. We had 8 seniors on that team? Wow.
You should add Emerzian as a friend on Facebook. I have. He's a financial planner back in Wisconsin
I'll never forget when UNLV's seeding was announced for the 1991 tourney and we could all see a UNLV-Georgetown matchup in the second round.
The Hoyas had a weak backcourt that year, but their frontcourt was NBA all star caliber with Alonzo Mourning and Mutumbo both starting.
My friends and I all had the same reaction: NCAA out to screw UNLV again!!
Their plan backfired though when the Rebels put the Hoyas away with little difficulty.
At least Tark is a realist. All these UNLV fans think you are already in think again, there's still alot of work to be done!
Too bad the Tark can't do the recruiting for the rebels, then we would have a whole nother list of great players to talk about in the future.Those were the days Tark ,those were the days.
Saw Tark on Super Bowl Sunday...needed a wheelchair...legs hurtin', mind as sharp as ever!!! Been a Runnin' Rebel fan since the Hardway 8! Would love to have him as a recruiter, but let the "Legend" enjoy his Golden Years! He gave enough to this city, let him be the "GOD" that he is! We love you Coach Tark! Thanks for your MAJOR contribution to our city. God be with you!!! However, any help in recruiting a "Blue Chip" recruit would be greatly appreciated!! THANK YOU COACH TARKANIAN FOR PUTTING LAS VEGAS ON THE SPORTS MAP!!! SCREW THE NCAA FOR THEIR VENDETTA AGAINST YOU!!!