By Ron Kantowski

Published Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | 8:33 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 | 10:15 a.m.

He's b-a-a-a-ck. And right on schedule.

UNLV basketball hall-of-famer and broadcast analyst Glen Gondrezick returned home to Las Vegas late this afternoon, closing another major chapter in his recuperation from a heart transplant operation on Sept. 20.

Doctors told Gondrezick that barring complications, they would release him on Oct. 16. Following a battery of tests this week, that's exactly what happened.

There were no complications. In fact, Gondo said doctors were prepared to release him last week. But he would have had to return to Los Angeles for the tests, so he opted to stay in the specially equipped hotel near the UCLA Medical Center where he has been recuperating from the life-saving surgery.

"Now all I've got to do is get stronger," Gondo said as he watched Game 5 of the American League Championship Series from the comfort of his own living room.

He said the highlight of his last few days in Los Angeles -- besides feeling stronger every day -- was bumping into UCLA coach Ben Howland at a Ralph's supermarket near the UCLA campus in Westwood.

He said Howland told him the Bruins were eager to start up a series with Lon Kruger's Rebels -- but that they probably couldn't handle UNLV this year.

"Typical coach," Gondo said.

I told him one of the first things on his agenda should be changing the message on his answering machine.

The sickly sounding guy who left it doesn't live there anymore.