DULY NOTED

Saturday, March 3, 2007 | 7:09 a.m.

THE REAL McKAY

After the Rebels were taken to the wire by New Mexico for the second time this season on Wednesday night, Mark Alden, a university system regent, called to put in his two cents.

Actually, it was more like a buck-and-a-half. But here's the two cents I found most interesting.

Alden said after the Lobos lost to the Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center on Jan. 27, Ritchie McKay, the New Mexico coach who was fired last week, effective at the end of the season, noticed a UNLV cheerleader sitting on the floor in distress.

She was experiencing shortness of breath. Alden said rather than accompany his team to the dressing room after a tough loss, McKay and a couple of the New Mexico players stayed behind to attend to the cheerleader.

"That shows what a quality human being that man is," Alden said.

Lame-duck coach? Not in Alden's eyes.

Caring, compassionate coach is more like it.

TWO MINUTES FOR HYPOCRISY

Last week, when Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff sent out a line composed of Ogie Ogilthorpe, Tim "Dr. Hook" McCracken and Clarence "Screaming Buffalo" Swamptown to teach those punks from Ottawa some respect, ESPN was practically giddy in reporting on the wild brawl that ensued.

Actually, Ruff sent out his three toughest forwards and not the goons from Syracuse who skated against the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slapshot." But the effect was the same as even the goalies from both teams exchanged blows.

ESPN analyst Barry Melrose said it was the right thing to do with the playoffs coming up. "You've got to send a message," he said.

But then why is it that every time Ben Wallace throws an elbow in an NBA game somebody wants him suspended for three months?

A HORSE WITH SOME NAME

If you're looking for a rooting interest in the upcoming Kentucky Derby, you may want to consider a colt named Vegas Green. But considering his odds are 200-1, you might be better off going West, young man, and putting a sawbuck on Horse Greeley at 100-1.

Nobiz Like Shobiz is the current betting favorite at the Hilton at 12-to-1.

26-7

New Mexico's record in 2004-05 under coach Ritchie McKay, who was fired last week

3:24

The time in the morning that Benjamin Becker's match against Jiri Novak in Tokyo was completed, the latest finish in ATP history