Nothing to be ashamed of...

UNLV drops another overtime heartbreaker, this time on the road to New Mexico. Based on how the Lobos played their conference games at home, winning them by almost twenty points, I think the Rebs have to be proud they were in positon to win this game three times. They hit big shots on offense and except for a non call on a Dandridge floater, they played big defense and kept the Lobos out of what they wanted to do. I'm not the most objective fan, but the officials did play a big role in this game tonight. The fourth foul on Rougeau was non-existent (hardly the only one called on the Rebs) and the tech that fouled him out of the game, while justified, pretty much gave the Lobos an advantage the rest of the night. Going to overtime without Rene, I didn't feel good about them pulling this one out, but they had a chance to win the game on that last possession.

Luckily, the Rebs play again right away, at home vs. TCU. If they come out with the same focus they played with tonight, they should blow them out of the water in the first half. They also have a winnable game vs. C-State at home. Their season will basically come down to how they finish their last four games. If they win the rest of their home games to finish 7-1 at home, they will be in position to finish 11-5, which still may be good enough to finish in the top two. The tough game will be finishing the season at San Diego in a game that the winner could finish second, maybe first and loser could fall all the way to fifth. Very close conference this year. Believe it or not, the Rebels could win out and finish 12-4 in conference.

I think the big boys are going to bump each other a little more before the end of the season. We could also use some help from the bottom feeders knocking off one or two of the Utahs and San Diegos. Air Force and Wyoming sure didn't help tonight. Hopefully, the league can get three teams in the tourney this year. Even more hopefully, UNLV is one of them.

On another note, Lakers were able to push the Celtics around in Boston, but doing it in February is different than doing it in June. They have a tough one coming up against the Cavs and on this road trip, it sure wouldn't be a disappointment to drop this one. I like how they responded to losing Bynum again. They are in better shape and have the parts to finish the job this year. I'm interested to see what the Adam Morrison trade brings.

It's hard out here for a college basketball junkie....

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Rebels by 10

Tempting Surrender

It may be time to give up trying to figure out this year's Rebels team. In my opinion, they got pushed around by San Diego State and outplayed at the end of overtime. Wink had a good look at the end, but it wasn't able to go in. It seems that the new crop of players just don't get it yet. Last year, they were able to fight their way through some tough wins at home. This year, it just doesn't seem there. One thing that I like is how the team never gives up. SDSU was up 48-40 and the Rebs made their run and pulled it to a 54-50 lead that they were able to nurse for most of the second half. By dropping this game at home, they better hope that Utah and San Diego end up dropping at least one more home game and some more road games. I think this is a pretty balanced conference among the top six teams and I think that is normal when you think about the fact that most of them, besides UNLV and BYU have coaches in their second year. I think the second year is when a coach really puts their stamp on the team and instills their imprint on the program. You see that happening especially in New Mexico with Steve Alford and Jim Boylen in Utah.

The Rebs have a tough road to hoe and need some luck along with a whole bunch of road wins to finish at the top of the conference. I really think that with these teams beating each other up in conference, that the NCAA will only take the regular season winner and of course, the conference tournament winner. It looks like 11-5 will take first this year and the Rebels need to hope that no other team goes undefeated at home in conference to even out this loss. I really think that five teams can finish at the top and/or win the tournament. I don't see the top seed getting through to win the tournament this year, it'll be too tough to navigate. If Utah can figure out how to get the ball to Luke Nevill consistently, they will be awfully tough to beat. BYU is pretty consistent, but if they don't shoot well, they won't advance. UNM is growing but a year away from being one of the best teams this year. They will make life miserable this season for everyone else. It also would be nice for C-State or Air Force to jump up and bite someone, anyone, and win a game they shouldn't.

Here is a nice article about Dominique Dorsey. He sure was fun to watch play because he was so small and so fast. I hope he finds a place in the league.

Las Vegas has a coach for a football team that doesn't exist....Maybe it'll stick this time. Probably not.

Cardinals fans, do not click...Was Santonio Holmes' other foot touching the ground? (I'll credit The Big Lead for this one)

Very worried about the injury to Andrew Bynum. Here is a compendium of thoughts (from True Hoop) about the situation, but bottom line is what can the Lakers do to avoid a redux of the 2008 Finals? I don't know if they can find the toughness to beat the Celtics. I nervously look forward to the games at Boston and at Cleveland. My favorite is how they point out that if he had been suspended for his hit on Gerald Wallace, he wouldn't have been playing in that game against the Grizz. Interesting.













These pictures show the scientific evidence that Utah recruits Muppets... Did Dr. Bunsen sign his scholarship papers?

Enjoy the rest of your week...
laters
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Rebels by 10