MWC considers schedule change to Sat.-Mon.

Steve Addy

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

The Rebels' most recent memory of a Big Monday game was a nightmare. They got pounded this week at Utah by 44 points, their worst loss of the season.

But UNLV and every other Mountain West school could be playing every Monday next season if conference coaches can make a convincing case to commissioner Craig Thompson and school officials.

This season's schedule has teams varying between Thursday-Saturday and Saturday-Monday formats, with some teams having to make long road trips or follow illogical itineraries. There have been many complaints about the schedule to the Mountain West office.

Thompson has drawn up a proposed schedule for next season with all games on Saturday or Monday. On Monday there would be three 7 p.m. games and a 10 p.m. game, the latter to be aired on ESPN.

"It would make things far more symmetrical," Thompson said. "It will help limit road swings, it helps with cost containment and it would give ESPN a full assortment of games to choose from every week. I know there are some obstacles out there, but it's worth considering."

UNLV coach Bill Bayno said he has no strong feelings on the issue, but thinks a Saturday-Monday format would be an improvement.

"It would probably be better from an academics standpoint. You miss less class," he said. "I haven't given it much thought. We have to play the games no matter how they're scheduled. There is no difference in game preparation, because either way you only have one day between games."

Utah coach Rick Majerus feels Saturday-Monday would be a setback for academics, however. He speaks from experience; his Utes have six Big Monday games this season.

"I would be really opposed to (Saturday-Monday)," he said. "It would compromise our academic endeavors. You miss all of your Monday and Tuesday classes."