Mississippi State (Butler or Northwestern) vs UNLV - Tempe AZ

[VincentVegaBond]

On 11/30/2024 at 7:32 AM, Qwelish said:

I actually like it. The new coach or Kevin, should be able to actually win the conference for a change. Fans all want big time schedules,  but how about hitting a softball 1st? 

The new conference should be winnable and set UNLV up for postseason success. 

But if UNLV doesn't get it right, they'll be playing 2nd fiddle to gcu and utep. 

What we have now is not cutting it.

Well it didn't affect Tark's teams when UNLV was in the Big West, and doesn't affect Gonzaga.  But I just worry that winning the pathetic new MW will earn the winner a 13-15 seed in the tourney and nothing more.

[VincentVegaBond]

There is SO much money in Las Vegas. There's a reason VGK tickets are among the most expensive in the NHL and even the terrible Raiders have among the most expensive NFL tickets. Harper has to find a way to harvest some big boy NIL $ from the community, with that and our facilities, we should absolutely be able to attract a good coach.

[Qwelish]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:29 AM, VincentVegaBond said:

Well it didn't affect Tark's teams when UNLV was in the Big West, and doesn't affect Gonzaga.  But I just worry that winning the pathetic new MW will earn the winner a 13-15 seed in the tourney and nothing more.

I will gladly take that and a punchers chance over what we have seen the last decade.

Even bad UNLV teams have sent plenty of guys to the NBA. 

UNLV doesn't even need to spend  a ton of money. Just get a good fit that's proven and competent. 

UCSB suds ut  st have all done it with less. It's just been incompetence ar the top. Plain and simple.

Erick Harper can make a better pick in his sleep than Ronald McDonald.

[SDSUfan]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:29 AM, VincentVegaBond said:

Well it didn't affect Tark's teams when UNLV was in the Big West, and doesn't affect Gonzaga.  But I just worry that winning the pathetic new MW will earn the winner a 13-15 seed in the tourney and nothing more.

GCU will be a thorn in your side. They don't seem to have any issues with resources and REALLY want to win. 

UNM isn't going away as long as Pitino stays around.

Alford will keep Nevada competitive but it sounds like the off campus arena is in question there. That could hurt them in the long run.

But you've added another boat anchor with Hawaii to go with AFA and SJSU. 

WYO will WYO. 

You guys need to be in the Pac.

[Qwelish]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:54 AM, SDSUfan said:

GCU will be a thorn in your side. They don't seem to have any issues with resources and REALLY want to win. 

UNM isn't going away as long as Pitino stays around.

Alford will keep Nevada competitive but it sounds like the off campus arena is in question there. That could hurt them in the long run.

But you've added another boat anchor with Hawaii to go with AFA and SJSU. 

WYO will WYO. 

You guys need to be in the Pac.

If UNLV doesn't get its act together, gcu and reno will rise to the top of the conference and reap the benefits. 

UNLV cannot blow this opportunity. It's a gift.

The AD needs to put UNLV in position to dominate this new version of the mworst.

[InnZoneU]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:54 AM, SDSUfan said:

GCU will be a thorn in your side. They don't seem to have any issues with resources and REALLY want to win. 

UNM isn't going away as long as Pitino stays around.

Alford will keep Nevada competitive but it sounds like the off campus arena is in question there. That could hurt them in the long run.

But you've added another boat anchor with Hawaii to go with AFA and SJSU. 

WYO will WYO. 

You guys need to be in the Pac.

Why would we feel the need to go to another G conference?

[SDSUfan]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:05 AM, InnZoneU said:

Why would we feel the need to go to another G conference?

I guess you don't. You can choose to hang with GCU, Nevada the rest or you could join SDSU, Gonzaga and the rest.  

(edit)

GCU will never get respect as an institution. That's going to be a perception problem. That will impact conference fortunes. Fair or not. 

[InnZoneU]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:11 AM, SDSUfan said:

I guess you don't. You can choose to hang with GCU, Nevada the rest or you could join SDSU, Gonzaga and the rest.  

(edit)

GCU will never get respect as an institution. That's going to be a perception problem. That will impact conference fortunes. Fair or not. 

You didn't answer the question.  What is the upside of UNLV to go to another G conference?  Why are you bringing up GCU?

[Soupslam]

On 11/30/2024 at 10:29 AM, InnZoneU said:

You didn't answer the question.  What is the upside of UNLV to go to another G conference?  Why are you bringing up GCU?

Better competition and more money after the welfare check gets spent. 

[SDSUfan]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:29 AM, InnZoneU said:

You didn't answer the question.  What is the upside of UNLV to go to another G conference?  Why are you bringing up GCU?

I would think you would want to pin your fortunes to the more competitive programs and leave behind the less competitive programs. 

GCU, if you stay the the MWC will in all likelihood be the flagship BB program. GCU the institution is perceived as something less than an actual university. If that's acceptable to you, okay. 

But I'm not an accountant, just a sports fan that's never cheered for a balance sheet.

[InnZoneU]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:49 AM, SDSUfan said:

I would think you would want to pin your fortunes to the more competitive programs and leave behind the less competitive programs. 

GCU, if you stay the the MWC will in all likelihood be the flagship BB program. GCU the institution is perceived as something less than an actual university. If that's acceptable to you, okay. 

But I'm not an accountant, just a sports fan that's never cheered for a balance sheet.

There isn't much difference between the MWC and PAC to make any type of difference.  What is the FB record this year? 

The media deal for PAC is yet to be determined and whatever it is will be offset with 1.6-1.8MM annual payments for 2or3 years.  Well and plus the lump sum payment, which WILL be paid.

Again you are bringing up GCU and I have no idea why.

[SDSUfan]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:58 AM, InnZoneU said:

There isn't much difference between the MWC and PAC to make any type of difference.  What is the FB record this year? 

The media deal for PAC is yet to be determined and whatever it is will be offset with 1.6-1.8MM annual payments for 2or3 years.  Well and plus the lump sum payment, which WILL be paid.

Again you are bringing up GCU and I have no idea why.

They're your conference mate. 

[InnZoneU]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:59 AM, SDSUfan said:

They're your conference mate. 

OK you're obviously trolling.  Nobody gives a fuck basketball when it comes to conferences.  This conversation is over. 

[SDSUfan]

On 11/30/2024 at 10:02 AM, InnZoneU said:

OK you're obviously trolling.  Nobody gives a fuck basketball when it comes to conferences.  This conversation is over. 

Then why did you add them?

https://themw.com/news/2024/11/01/mountain-west-officially-welcomes-grand-canyon-university/

[renoskier]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:48 AM, Qwelish said:

 ...UCSB suds ut  st have all done it with less. It's just been incompetence ar the top. Plain and simple.

 

you forgot Nevada 

[UNLV2001]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:43 AM, VincentVegaBond said:

There is SO much money in Las Vegas. There's a reason VGK tickets are among the most expensive in the NHL and even the terrible Raiders have among the most expensive NFL tickets. Harper has to find a way to harvest some big boy NIL $ from the community, with that and our facilities, we should absolutely be able to attract a good coach.

A good reason the VGK & Raiders have some of the highest secondary tickets isn't totally due to the $$ in Vegas.........it's the tourists coming in to see their teams play here 

Raiders games are about 50% visiting fans for teams like Denver, KC, Pittsburgh and others -- I'd bet there's local Raider season ticket buyers who never or rarely planned to attend games but bought as an investment to sell on the resale market at a profit 

UNLV isn't drawing many visiting fans with the home schedule 

Plus what happened to the two old small tournaments UNLV used to host around this time back in the day -- The REBEL ROUNDUP & The Xmas tourney ?!?! With all these major sponsored tournaments landing in LV these last few years & UNLV is a total non-factor in any of them -- Why doesn't the LVCVA with sponsors put together one of these major team tourneys & include UNLV ?!!? While top 25 teams are playing right down the road, UNLV is off to some small arena in Tempe to play a tourney 

Missing out on an opportunity right here 

[UNLV2001]

TEMPE, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team (4-3) got edged by Northwestern (6-2), 66-61, on Friday in the Arizona Tip-Off at Mullett Arena.

Dedan Thomas Jr. and Jailen Bedford led the Runnin' Rebels in scoring with 17 and 15 points, respectively. Jeremiah "Bear" Cherry had a game-high 10 rebounds, while Jacob Bannarbie, who made his first career start, pulled down eight boards.

The Wildcats were led by Brooks Barnhizer's 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He made a game-high four 3-pointers. Jalen Leach added 15 points and Nick Martinelli scored 12.

DOWN THE STRETCH: Northwestern led 26-25 at the half and it was close throughout most of the second half. The Wildcats led by six with eight minutes to play, but Julian Rishwain hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to just two at 51-49. However Northwestern pushed its lead back to seven with two minutes to go. A Bedford 3-pointer cut it to four with 1:43 left but that was as close as it would get from there.

QUOTABLE: "We just need to tighten up on some things, but the guys are working at it. We a great spark by Jacob Bannarbie in the starting lineup and from Jailen Bedford off the bench. Great minutes all around. I thought everybody contributed and did a good job, but it just came down to a couple critical plays there at the end where we just have to come up with a loose ball and come up with a rebound. We did a good job executing on the offensive end and getting some good looks. Northwestern is a really good defensive team, always is. So a good job sharing it, moving it, creating for each other. But again, we can take that next step here of getting not just an okay shot every time, but but a really good or a great shot and and that's what we'll keep working. But the fight tonight was much better and that's what we need to do going into every game." - UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.

NOTES: 
- This was just the second all-time between the two schools. UNLV won the only previous meeting, 101-95 in Las Vegas in 1977.
- Bedford was 6 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers, off the bench.
- Northwestern (18 of 26) shot 16 more free throws than UNLV (7 of 10) did.
- UNLV out-rebounded the Wildcats, 34-33.
- The Runnin' Rebels held Northwestern to just 29.2% (7 of 24) on field goals in the first half, however the Wildcats shot 52.0% (13 of 25) after halftime.
- Northwestern led in points off turnovers 13-7, but the Runnin' Rebels had the advantage in points in the paint (32-18) and bench scoring (19-7).
- UNLV committed 14 turnovers, while Northwestern had 12.
- Northwestern led in assists, 15-9.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,234 straight games.

NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV's next game will be on Saturday, Dec. 7 at No. 21/19 Creighton. The 1 p.m. PT game will be televised live on FS1 and the radio call may be heard on ESPN Radio 1100 AM in Las Vegas.

[UNLV2001]

My guess is UNLV goes 2-2 in the last 4 before MWC games begin 

LOSS at Creighton & Loss at Dayton

Wins in LV over Pacific & UC Rivserside  

Then on to MWC play where UNLV gets a relatively easy first three games 

Injuries aren't helping but at least there's depth on the roster but my amateur player thoughts:

Cherry - good upside, but he tends to get the ball & hold it allowing opponents to double him up, then he tries to shoulder between the defenders to get a shot off.

Bedford - Seemed better coming off the bench in the last game

Thomas Jr - Still the main & only reliable "go to" guy but he's missed some FT's at times when they were key popints

Hill - Lot's of effort with middling results - Still don't see how he got to a program like Oklahoma unless his injury has hindered his game 

Bannarbie - Might have played his best game when inserted into starting lineup, gives UNLV much needed height & rebounding help 

Hicks - Athletic as heck, but a spaz on the court with unreliable shot outside of 10 ft - if it isn't a layup or dunk, pass the ball 

Rishwain - Might be best surprise of the newcomers as he can hit the 3 with some consistency & open the court 

N'Diaye - Raw talent that is going to take time to develop but should be in the rotation 

Cottrell - Has to be the most over-rated recruit to ever come out of Gorman - he somehow landed at WV, but since being at UNLV he's basically a non-factor despite being 6-10 with some shooting range -- if he was even marginally useful he could be a weapon on offense & defense 

[VincentVegaBond]

On 11/30/2024 at 11:27 AM, UNLV2001 said:

A good reason the VGK & Raiders have some of the highest secondary tickets isn't totally due to the $$ in Vegas.........it's the tourists coming in to see their teams play here 

Raiders games are about 50% visiting fans for teams like Denver, KC, Pittsburgh and others -- I'd bet there's local Raider season ticket buyers who never or rarely planned to attend games but bought as an investment to sell on the resale market at a profit 

UNLV isn't drawing many visiting fans with the home schedule 

Plus what happened to the two old small tournaments UNLV used to host around this time back in the day -- The REBEL ROUNDUP & The Xmas tourney ?!?! With all these major sponsored tournaments landing in LV these last few years & UNLV is a total non-factor in any of them -- Why doesn't the LVCVA with sponsors put together one of these major team tourneys & include UNLV ?!!? While top 25 teams are playing right down the road, UNLV is off to some small arena in Tempe to play a tourney 

Missing out on an opportunity right here 

I guarantee if UNLV joined a big boy conference like the B12, B10 with tons of die hard fans, they would be raking in the dough. Texas, OU, Nebraska, etc would have fans flocking to Vegas in droves for football and some even for hoops. Too bad we are so far off from that but in the long run it'd be highly profitable for both the conference and UNLV.

I remember last year I was headed to Mandalay Bay for an Aces playoff game I think, there was no parking anywhere cuz Notre Dame was playing at Alegient.  I forget who they played but the whole strip was jam packed with fans of both teams. That could be every UNLV home game.

[VincentVegaBond]

On 11/30/2024 at 11:43 AM, UNLV2001 said:

My guess is UNLV goes 2-2 in the last 4 before MWC games begin 

LOSS at Creighton & Loss at Dayton

Wins in LV over Pacific & UC Rivserside  

Then on to MWC play where UNLV gets a relatively easy first three games 

Injuries aren't helping but at least there's depth on the roster but my amateur player thoughts:

Cherry - good upside, but he tends to get the ball & hold it allowing opponents to double him up, then he tries to shoulder between the defenders to get a shot off.

Bedford - Seemed better coming off the bench in the last game

Thomas Jr - Still the main & only reliable "go to" guy but he's missed some FT's at times when they were key popints

Hill - Lot's of effort with middling results - Still don't see how he got to a program like Oklahoma unless his injury has hindered his game 

Bannarbie - Might have played his best game when inserted into starting lineup, gives UNLV much needed height & rebounding help 

Hicks - Athletic as heck, but a spaz on the court with unreliable shot outside of 10 ft - if it isn't a layup or dunk, pass the ball 

Rishwain - Might be best surprise of the newcomers as he can hit the 3 with some consistency & open the court 

N'Diaye - Raw talent that is going to take time to develop but should be in the rotation 

Cottrell - Has to be the most over-rated recruit to ever come out of Gorman - he somehow landed at WV, but since being at UNLV he's basically a non-factor despite being 6-10 with some shooting range -- if he was even marginally useful he could be a weapon on offense & defense 

Nice thoughts, I agree with just about everything...

I like Bears motor and enthusiasm but his footwork can drastically improve, he's gotten himself locked up under the basket several times due to awkward footwork.  And obviously him and the whole team's positioning for rebounds must drastically improve.

The team as a whole doesn't generate good shots for others and I think most of that is result of our patty cake offense, but DJ deserves some blame. He's playing too much hero ball and I think it may rub off on others.

I hope he snaps out of it cuz as he goes our offense goes and the team is more well rounded than last year with athletic wings (Bedford) interior presence (Bear) and consistency outside (Rishwain). You'd think DJ's facilitating would skyrocket with those potential weapons but the opposite seems to have happened.