Add another tally mark to UNLV’s growing resume

This is one of those times when it's good to add weight, fatten up, make yourself as imposing as possible. College basketball in February is about strengthening your NCAA Tournament resume, and losing home conference games to inferior teams is frowned upon like desperate baseball icons lobbying politicians for support with a handshake or picture.

But when you win games as UNLV did Tuesday, the payoff can be substantial.

The Rebels beat Air Force 58-51 in a game they couldn't possibly lose given their standing in the Mountain West Conference race and yet needed every ounce of effort to win before 10,506 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

It has reached the tally-mark portion of UNLV's season, meaning the point where teams with legitimate NCAA hopes attempt to compile as many victories as possible before a selection committee convenes in March to construct a bracket. Perception is everything for at-large candidates, and slipping at home against a seventh-place team isn't an option.

"It was like a March Madness atmosphere," said Rebels wing Rene Rougeau after tying his career high in minutes with 39. "We know what it takes to get there. You can feel that time getting closer and closer, but one thing we have been good at is just focusing on the next challenge."

It's a monster.

You can forget UNLV's earlier 29-point win against Brigham Young like you can forget last week's weather forecast, because the Rebels on Saturday, in trying to grab a share of the conference lead, will encounter a home-court advantage that is unlike few nationally.

The Cougars in Provo, Utah, are Springsteen jamming in New Jersey and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at an autograph session in North Carolina. They're automatic success, having won 43 straight at the Marriott Center. They run faster, jump higher, shoot better, and it's anyone's guess why their level of play takes such a dramatic leap.

"It's a different story up there altogether," Rebels coach Lon Kruger said. "We know that. We've got to prepare for a great shot from them and give a great effort ourselves."

The latter hasn't been an issue for UNLV, which at 19-5 continues to defy preseason guesses as to how successful a team that lost four starters from a Sweet 16 roster could be.

Hint: Even the guy in charge is surprised.

Kruger admitted after this latest win that even he couldn't have imagined such a reality back in November, one that again paints the Rebels as NCAA worthy should they avoid any bad stumbles (read: losing any games except potentially at BYU and at New Mexico) before the conference tournament.

Do you know one of UNLV's greatest assets beyond its ability to defend and make 3-pointers seen only in neighborhood games of H-O-R-S-E? Its players believe they're better than their skill level suggests. Sometimes, that amount of confidence is more important than actual talent.

Take the game Tuesday night. UNLV didn't play exceedingly well. It shot 44.7 percent and was out-rebounded by a dreadful rebounding team. The Rebels needed nearly 37 minutes to shake an Air Force side that has now lost three straight and four of five, nearly both halves to dispatch of a team that isn't even a shell of itself from recent memorable seasons.

But you never accepted the notion UNLV would lose because you never saw doubt on its players' faces.

"They just think they're always going to win," Kruger said. "I'm proud (of the season). They work and compete like crazy every night, qualities that give them a chance.

"Certainly, you always want to (compile wins) at this point. But we have great respect for all our opponents and won't overlook anyone. If someone beats us, it will be because they line up and out-play us."

It could happen Saturday and no one will blink because the facts so overwhelmingly favor Brigham Young at home. But the Rebels are just quick enough and defensive enough and -- here's the important part -- naive enough to believe they will snap that imposing streak in half.

If there is any advantage for UNLV to own, it's as good as any: The idea that the Rebels simply don't know any better.

"We just want to keep this going, get past 20 wins again and continue moving forward," Rougeau said. "Of course, BYU plays completely different at home. It's going to be a challenge. A win there would definitely help our resume."

We're talking one gigantic tally mark.

Ed Graney's column is published Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. He can be reached at 383-4618 or egraney@reviewjournal.com.