Columnist Ron Kantowski: Next year critical for Robinson

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001 | 11:07 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's notes column appears Tuesday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or 259-4088.

In the old days, I used to joke that if they ever opened a convenience store near the UNLV football offices they'd call it 4-Seven, because more often than not, that was the Rebels' record.

Hey John Robinson, want a Slurpee with that?

Even though the Rebels saved their best for last with a 34-10 rout of Air Force on Saturday, it only was good enough to lift UNLV into the realm of mediocrity at 4-7. This just one year removed from last season's encouraging 8-5 effort that included a stunning bowl game win over Arkansas.

As it turned out, the Rebels' early season schedule was way too tall an order, and without a solid supporting cast from which to take his cue, overrated (it now can be said) quarterback Jason Thomas seemed to forget all the lines he appeared to have mastered last season.

Still, UNLV was not as bad as it seemed. The Rebels actually outscored their collective opponents 284-270 and only were blown out twice, by Arizona and Utah. And they were tied with the Utes at halftime.

In retrospect, the two best teams UNLV played were Arkansas (7-3) and Brigham Young (11-0). They lost to each in the final minute.

The bottom line, however, is wins and losses. No matter how you spin it, the Rebels took a step backward this season after making a huge stride forward last year. But interest in the program, as evidenced by solid home attendance and huge TV ratings, is still at an all-time high.

That's why next season is so crucial. If UNLV can find a big back, somebody to catch Thomas' wobbly passes and return to a bowl game, this year's 4-7 record will be forgotten more quickly than actor David Caruso.

But if the Rebels go 4-7 again next year, Robinson might become a full-time athletic director sooner than he or anybody else expected.

Heisley admitted/confessed to the Dallas Morning News last week that if the NBA wasn't so steadfast about its anti-betting policy, our (sometimes) fair city already would be host to a 1-8 NBA franchise.

"David (Stern, the NBA commissioner) did not want to have NBA basketball in Vegas, because of the sports books," said Heisley, who met with Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman more than once last season when he was trying to relocate the Vancouver Grizzlies. "I would say had they (the NBA office) been willing, we could have gone to Vegas and been a big-time success."

Moreover, I thought city hall was determined to clean up downtown. The brawling West Coast Hockey League, which according to reports would place a franchise here in the new bandbox -- er, arena -- will make the Charlestown Chiefs' locker room look like Sunday school choir.

The other ex-Rebels carrying around fat wallets include Greg Anthony (Bulls), $3 million; Stacey Augmon (Hornets), $2.4 million; Keon Clark (Raptors), $1.9 million; Shawn Marion (Suns), $1.8 million; and J.R. Rider (Nuggets), $840,000.

As a footnote, former Rebel recruit Lamar Odom is making $2.8 mil. per season with the Clippers, which probably is only slightly less than he earned from UNLV boosters during his recruitment.

This is the first of three mini college basketball tournaments that were moved from the Paris hotel-casino when the NCAA decided in its infinite wisdom that it was OK for players to sleep in a hotel-casino, but not play ball in one.

People around here might wager 35 bucks on the outcome of Oklahoma State and Providence, but not for the privilege of watching it be decided live. And that was the marquee offering on a Monday slate that included Siena vs. Austin Peay, Texas-El Paso vs. Northwestern State and Arkansas-Monticello vs. Texas Christian.

The last time that many hyphens appeared under one roof was during registration at a NOW convention.