Dean Juipe: Captivating fun, drama at the Mack

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

JUST LIKE the old days, the decibel meter inched toward triple digits.

That's some serious noise.

And, also like the old days, a lovable munchkin of a basketball genius patrolled the sidelines. As always, there was no disguising his emotions, the facial expressions and arm waving never failing to be in sync with what was running through his mind.

One other throwback: UNLV won.

The pep band may as well have played "Happy Days Are Here Again" because that's precisely how all 18,024 in the Thomas & Mack Center felt as the Rebels played perhaps their finest game of the season Monday night in dropping Fresno State -- and visiting coach Jerry Tarkanian -- by a 78-64 count.

The arena that Tark built was overflowing with good vibes, obviously in part due to the presence of the ex-UNLV coach himself. But there was more to it: This was a date that had been circled on the calendar for some time and the game itself was every bit as interesting as anyone would have imagined.

It was one of those rare occasions when everyone left feeling as if they got their money's worth.

Also, it was, as current UNLV coach Bill Bayno probably suspects, an atmosphere (and an outcome) with a good deal in common with the school's basketball heyday of the late 1970s through 1992 -- before Tarkanian was forced out and the program went into decline.

Bayno acknowledged as much even during the pregame introductions, saluting the already pumped crowd with a wave of his clipboard after his name was announced. The gesture, however spontaneous, was a sign of respect for seeing the building virtually full and for having the legendary Tarkanian sharing in the warm reception.

The game itself did not disappoint.

With the volume up to where the scorer's horn couldn't always be heard over the crowd's continual roar, the Rebels came away with a significant victory on the strength of Warren Rosegreen's inspired play and Keon Clark's pro-like flashes of brilliance.

Rosegreen had an unrivaled determination and was collecting rebounds -- and follow-up buckets -- at a sensational pace in the opening half as the Rebels built an eight-point lead at the break. He finished with 21 rebounds, just three off the T&M record. And with Clark providing 22 points (and nine boards of his own), the Rebels kept their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

It may take some doing, but they're still capable of running the table and completing the regular season with 20 victories. But even with a loss and a good showing in the postseason WAC tourney, the door might be open just enough to allow them in.

All of that seemed irrelevant with Fresno State in town. The high drama of Tarkanian's return was sufficient to whip the fans into a frenzy, and they stayed there throughout the well-played, well-officiated game.

You might say things were nothing short of perfect.