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twitterUNLV BASKETBALL:
Kantowski: Rebels need to win MWC tourney to head to Big Dance
UNLV disappoints in many ways in season finale
Justin M. Bowen
Kyle Spain hits a shot with one second left on the shot clock as the Rebels take on the San Diego State Aztecs Saturday night, March 7, 2009, at Cox Arena in San Diego. UNLV lost 57-46 to finish the regular season 9-7 in conference play.
Sunday, March 8, 2009 | 1:12 a.m.
Bubble Burst
The UNLV Rebels NCAA Tournament bid took a major hit on Saturday night when the Rebels lost 57 to 46 to San Diego State. UNLV is now the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Mountain West Conference Tournament.
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Ryan Greene and Rob Miech hit the way-back button, discussing UNLV's 57-46 loss to Miech's alma mater -- San Diego State. The guy talk about a trip down Rob's memory lane, then just what went wrong with the Rebels on Saturday night in Cox Arena. Plus, is it too late for the Rebels to right the ship? We'll find out on Thursday, when the two see each other again to start the MWC Tournament.
SAN DIEGO — Standing among the Cox Crazies, or whatever San Diego State calls its student cheering section, I spotted a Geico lizard, a giant banana sporting a death mask, a viking, the Joker and a guy wearing a funky red hat.
I think they were the only ones who didn't get an offensive rebound against the Rebels Saturday night.
Combined, they didn't score a basket, either, but that was just five fewer than the Rebels made in the second half at raucous Cox Arena.
How did the Rebels disappoint in their regular-season finale? Let us count the ways:
— UNLV gave up 16 offensive rebounds and was pulverized on the boards, 39-20.
— UNLV made just 5 of its 20 field goal attempts in the second half.
— UNLV made just 3 of its 17 three-point field goal attempts.
— UNLV scored just 46 points for the second consecutive game.
— UNLV lost to San Diego State, 57-46.
If the Rebels were looking for something, anything, to hang their hats on heading into the Mountain West Conference tournament that begins Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center, this wasn't it.
This was far from it.
This was being up San Diego Bay without a paddle.
This was just more of the same.
The Rebels closed the regular season by losing three of their last five games and looked dreadful in one of the two wins, a 46-43 nails-on-a-chalkboard victory at home against an Air Force team that went 0-16 in the Mountain West.
So a UNLV team picked to win the conference championship instead finished in fifth place. Once thought a lock for the NCAA tournament, the Rebels (21-9, 9-7 MWC) most likely will have to win the conference tournament on their home floor to sneak into the big dance. There is no margin for error.
Could it happen?
Yes. At least I think so.
Will it happen?
Not if the Rebels play the way they did against San Diego State on Saturday night. Or against Air Force on Wednesday night. Or against Utah last week. Or against Wyoming on Feb. 18. Or against ... well, is it really necessary to bring up those games at TCU and Colorado State again?
It's hard to believe this is the same UNLV team that beat mighty Louisville of the equally mighty Big East on New Year's Eve. If the Rebels can play like that, they might have a chance to beat San Diego State for the first time in three tries on Thursday afternoon.
Actually, they probably don't have to play that well to beat the Aztecs, who are nearly as schizo as they are. But if they don't keep guys like Kyle Spain and Lorrenzo Wade and Tim Shelton, of all people (12 rebounds in just 18 minutes) from leaving their palm prints all over the glass, they'll be waiting up late next Sunday night to learn who they'll be playing in the NIT.
The Rebels also will have to throw the ball in the basket every now and then, but first things first.
"Obviously, the rebounds offensively for them hurt us big time," said Rebels coach Lon Kruger, whose team simply doesn't match up as well with San Diego State as it does most of the other MWC teams, even if Kruger doesn't totally buy into that.
"There are a lot of tough matchups in our league and this is one of them 'cause they're a good team and very athletic," he said. "They're long, they're rangy and we've got to work harder to block out, sustain the blocks and try to limit their second shots.
"That was a big part of the game tonight."
During one stretch of the second half, the Rebels went nearly nine minutes without a basket. That was a big part of the game, too.
Oscar Bellfield made a 3-pointer to put UNLV up 32-30 with 14:20 to play. The Rebels' next bucket, a layup by Rene Rougeau, came at the 5:31 mark. By then, the Aztecs were up 10, mostly because Spain rained on the plain with two long 3-pointers that enabled the hosts to take control of a grueling game.
How grueling? San Diego State's winning score was its lowest in the 45-game series history.
The only good thing about Saturday's game -- and the conference season in general -- is that the Rebels get to Etch A Sketch it. They get to turn it upside down and shake the sand and start all over again against San Diego State on Thursday afternoon in the MWC quarterfinals.
They'll be a five seed. The Aztecs will be a four. BYU, Utah and New Mexico, which finished in a three-way tie for first, will be seeded first, second, and third.
Air Force, which lost to UNLV by three and led BYU on its home court deep into Saturday's game before losing by five, will be seeded ninth.
It's anybody's tournament. Maybe even the Rebels'.
They've got four days to figure it out.
Discussion: 12 comments so far…
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They're playing possum. Tall order for this team to lose three to one team -- no matter how bad they've been playing down the stretch.
I still don't think they have to win the tournament.
A lot of the other bubble teams have been choking like the Rebels (and therefore helping the Rebels chances). And Louisville won the big east outright.
If one of the Utah schools wins the MWCT, I think UNLV could get an at large with two wins. They may only need one if there are no upsets in other conference tournaments.
There's a lot of mediocrity in ncaa basketball this season. No one's got a perfect resume. And UNLV's will end up looking a lot better than many teams they are on the bubble with.
As long as we SMASH BYU AGAIN, I'll be happy no matter where we end up. Of course if we beat BYU that means we also avenged SDS and have 23 wins and that probably will be enough considering we have one of the biggest non-conference wins of ANY SCHOOL... final four bound LOUISVILLE on the road.
Also, I think NEW MEXICO are being overlooked, their second round match-up (if they get by Wyoming) game versus UTAH is a toss-up. They're playing the most consistent ball of any team in the conference.
TRUE FAN, we need to win two games in the tournament to have ANY chance of dancing.
Ron, what's up with the cowardly Utah women's team?
They changed the tournament set-up because they were humiliated last year by last seed, CSU so now they want to avoid playing in the first round at all. How can there be a different format for the women's tournament? Hold up, I don't give a damn about the women's game anyway.. I'm going to bed.
I have been writing Rebel articles on "The Bleacher Report" all season long. Back in Jan. I warned the readers that New Mexico would be right there in the end of the regular season. I don't think the Rebels can pull off a three peat this year in the tournament because they have no big presence in the middle. Going small is good to a point but in half court games which will be in the tournament Lon needs to go back to Santee and Mosamba to have a chance.
The reason the Rebs are struggling is simple. WINK!
As long as Wink Adams is in a slump, the Rebels
will keep underachieving. They just Do not have enough scoring right now.
Its really sad when you
consider this was supposed to be the year he
became an NBA caliber player.
This team is better with Wink on the bench.
Not a coincidence that the Rebels biggest win (Louisville) came with Wink on the bench. The guy has had a let down senior year that reminds me of Richard Box and Ed Catchings.
Sorry gang: Spent Sunday on the beach at Carlsbad making a Corona commercial. Thanks for all the comments.
--- Lenny, if you've got to fall asleep in front of the TV in the wee hours of the morning, you should try Korea vs. Japan in the World Baseball Classic. (Actually, I kinda dig the WBC. Korea 1, Japan 0. Helluva game.)
--- I have talked to absolutely nobody about the women's bracket but my guess is that Utah (and others) wants to protect its NCAA tournament standing by getting a bye to the semis. The West Coast Conference does this in men's basketball, too. Frankly, I'm surprised more mid-major leagues don't do it but I hear what you are saying. If the Lady Utes don't lose to winless CSU in the quarters last year, they're probably still playing on Wednesday.
--- Rose, you're killin' me with those Richard Box and Ed Catchings references. But am I -- and Lon K. -- the only ones not giving up on him? You may not agree, but I think he's earned the right to take a few more jump shots. This means absolutely nothing in terms of whether the Rebels go dancing or not, but Wink is a class act and I will always remember him as one of my favorite Rebels -- even if he goes 1 for 9 again on Thursday.
--- RSM: Great call on the Lobos, then. None of us experts saw them coming. Say what you will about Alford -- and you guys' have -- but the guy has done a great job coaching defense. And Tony Danridge might be the best go-to guy in the MWC right now.
I agree with TRUE_FAN's assessment.
I also agree with Mr. Kantowski in regards to Wink Adams. I have been a Rebel fan for over 30 years and having met Mr. Adams, I can say he IS a class act and a fine young man. He is also one of my favorite all- time Rebels. He and The Rebels deserve our support even if they have struggled lately.
Hey, not saying Wink is not a class act. Definitely is, but as the team leader he needs to play well on a more consistent basis. Everyone has bad games- but he has had a bad season.
Ron- glad you remember Richard Box- I wonder how many fans even knew who I was talking about. :)