It began back in 1999, the Aztecs eyeing the defensive end of the floor as a way to create a successful program.
Basketball
San Diego State’s basketball team shot 52.4 percent on 3s and flashed its elite defense in taking out UNLV 76-67 on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Rebels’ first-year basketball coach hasn’t won any games yet at the school, but he’s winning over fans of all ages by promoting the team across the Las Vegas Valley.
Michigan played the villain to the underdog Final Four narrative on Saturday, using a huge second-half effort to beat Loyola-Chicago 69-57 in San Antonio.
Those who play for Frank Martin are unabashed in their defense of his style, adamant that what those watching at home see does not paint the entire narrative.
What those who remained home didn’t see: A team in UNLV that, while hardly perfect at either end, made more winning plays when arriving at the critical juncture of five minutes remaining.
Jim Livengood is convinced it’s time, that the NCAA will soon join the masses in supporting a concept of change, of evolving and improving and adapting and enhancing one’s stance on a fairly significant point.
They began filing out of the Thomas & Mack Center with 4:21 remaining, apparently having seen enough of the clinic San Diego State’s basketball team gave to UNLV on Saturday night.
When the number of Mountain West games is 18 and your program hasn’t won a regular-season league championship in forever, any mark on the left side of a win-loss column is cherished inside a locker room.
This is not meant to burst any bubbles, but prepare for a pretty massive bazooka-like blast: The move by college basketball to a 30-second shot clock this season has every chance to deliver the opposite of intended results.
“We have a doggone good game,” the Wisconsin coach says before the Final Four. But many critics are frustrated with low scores, inconsistent whistles and micromanaging from the sidelines.
What you are witnessing is Dave Rice’s prophecy coming true, and within it will be these sorts of close losses to an experienced team. But as the games and weeks and possessions pass, UNLV basketball improves.
Before we throw Donald Sterling’s self-help manual on how best to resemble a disturbed, ignorant, unstable bigot into the dumpster, we should review those truths discovered when watching the bizarre narrative play out the past several weeks.
An accepted premise: The toughest thing about competing in the Mountain West for basketball is the travel. The second toughest thing: Preparing for such a variety of offenses.
It ends so quickly. For all but one team, the NCAA Tournament each March is a cruel mixture of unrestrained joy and overwhelming sadness.
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