The telephone rang in the sports information office at UNLV around 2 p.m. on Thursday. A local college baseball fan had a question:
UNLV
In a few months, San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg might be trying to throw fastballs past major league hitters. It certainly would be much more stressful than the challenge he faced Thursday.
Even on the part of the practice field where the big men of UNLV’s offensive and defensive lines are running spring drills, Isaako Aaitui stands out without even hitting anyone.
Maybe the Mountain West Conference looked at UNLV’s seven home football games next season and tried to balance out its schedule.
Pete Manarino coached for decades in the mecca of youth softball. He witnessed the skill, watched it be nurtured, lost track of the number of travel teams at, oh, tons.
Displeased with the secondary and pass rush, UNLV’s coaching staff signed five junior college players in December and February to provide immediate help in those areas.
One problem after another ambushed coach Lon Kruger this past season, and the losses started piling up on UNLV as a result.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — On the brink of one final embarrassment, UNLV made the type of inspired run that seniors Wink Adams and Rene Rougeau had hoped to see more of all season. But in the end, the Rebels’ comeback Tuesday night typified their entire season. It was a tease that fell short at the finish line — a 70-60 loss to Kentucky in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
UNLV’s offensive linemen didn’t have the luxury of time the past two seasons. Because of inexperience (2007) and youth (2008), they had to come together quickly, form a bond and hope it served the unit well on game days.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — If he’s faking enthusiasm for a game that means little in the big picture, Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks is as good an actor as he is a shooter.
When he took a shot at predicting UNLV’s immediate future, senior guard Wink Adams hit 50 percent.
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