Remembering UNLV’s Final Four history

By Mark Anderson

Las Vegas Review-Journal

5 years ago

UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian is hugged by players as the final seconds of the Final Four tick tow ... — UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian is hugged by players as the final seconds of the Final Four tick towards victory over Duke University. The Runnin’ Rebels beat the Blue Devils 103-73 for the biggest margin of victory in a Final Four Championship Game on April 2, 1990 in Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

UNLV basketball player Glen Gondrezick (25), left, makes a long reach to save a ball headed out of bounds during early action in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship semifinal game on March 26, 1977, in Atlanta . At right is North Carolina’s Mike O’Koren. (AP Photo)

FILE – In this March 26, 1977, file photo, UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian holds his head in final moments of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal against North Carolina in Atlanta. Hall of Fame coach Jerry Tarkanian, who built a basketball dynasty at UNLV but was defined more by his decades-long battle with the NCAA, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in Las Vegas after several years of health issues. He was 84. (AP Photo/File)

Phil Ford, left, of University of North Carolina and Tony Smith (22) of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, right, go into the air as Ford drives for a shot during semifinals of the NCAA basketball tournament on March 26, 1977 in Atlanta. University of North Carolina won 84-83. (AP Photo)

Indiana University’s Steve Alford dribbles past University of Las Vegas’s Jarvis Basnight as the Hoosiers defeated UNLV, 97-93 in NCAA semi-final play, March 30, 1987 in New Orleans. Steve Alford was Indiana’s high scorer with 33 points. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)

Indiana’s Steve Alford shoots past UNLV (University of Nevada) Jarvis Basnight during NCAA final play in New Orleans, March 18, 1987. (AP Photo/Susan Regan)

UNLV basketball player Armon Gilliam goes up over Indiana players during their NCAA Final Four basketball tournament semi-final game in April 1987. The Rebels lost the game to the Hoosiers 97-93. (UNLV FILE PHOTO)

FILE – In this April 2, 1990, file photo, UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian chews on his towel while watching his Runnin’ Rebels run over Duke University in the championship game of the Final Four in Denver. A Las Vegas hospital spokeswoman says doctors have decided to keep storied former UNLV basketball coach Tarkanian overnight for observation after a mild heart attack. Mountainview Hospital spokeswoman Amanda Powell said Tarkanian’s status had not changed despite the change from plans to release him on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewsik officer his congratulations to UNLV players Stacey Augmon, left, and Larry Johnson following Monday night?s Final Four Championship Game on April 3, 1990. UNLV crushed Duke 103-73 for the national title. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Duke guard Bobby Hurley is trapped by UNLV guard Anderson Hunt (left) and Stacey Augmon (right) during the second half of their NCAA Final Four Championship Game at night on Monday, April 3, 1990 in Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Former UNLV head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, center, poses with two of his former star players, Stacey Augmon, left, and Larry Johnson, during ceremonies retiring their jerseys Monday night, Dec. 18, l995, prior to the start of the UNLV game against Charleston Southern in Las Vegas. The trio helped lead UNLV to the 1990 NCAA Championship season and the subsequent Final Four appearance in 1991. Currently, Tarkanian is head coach at Fresno State while Johnson is playing with the NBA Charlotte Hornets and Augmon is playing with the NBA Atlanta Hawks. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)

UNLV’s Anderson Hunt (12) and unidentified teammates leave the floor after losing to Duke in the NCAA national semi-final game in Indianapolis, March 30, 1991. Duke defeated UNLV by a score of 79-77. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Duke’s Bobby Hurley goes to the floor after the basketball as Stacey Augmon of UNLV, right, and teammate Grant Hill watch in the semi-final game of the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis, March 30, 1991. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

UNLV forward Larry Johnson keeps the ball in bounds behind his back while leaping over Duke players Thomas Hill (left) and Greg Koubek during the first half of Monday’s Final Four Championship Game on April 2, 1990 in Denver. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

With their NCAA trophy in hand, UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian and his players celebrate their Final Four victory over the Duke Blue Devils Monday 103-73. It was the largest margin of victory of any Final Four Championship game on April 3, 1990 in Denver. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

UNLV’s Moses Sourry (left) and teammate Anderson Hunt celebrate their team’s handling of the Duke Blue Devils during Monday’s Final Four Championship game on April 2, 1990 in Denver. (AP Photo/ Eric Risbery)

UNLV forward Larry Johnson gets set to fire off a shot beyond the defensive reach of Duke’s Alaa Abdelnaby. The Runnin’ Rebels kept the game out of reach for the Blue Devils by winning the Final Championship game 103-73 on April 3, 1990 in Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risbery)

Glen Gondrezick (25) of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas is eclipsed by the charge of North Carolina big men Mike O’Koren (31) and Rich Yonakor (50) as they cut him off from a rebound on March 28, 1977 in Atlanta during NCAA semi-final action. Carolina won the game 84-83. (AP Photo)

March Madness has given way to social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak, and the Review-Journal has tried to fill some of the void with the ongoing #Whatif tournament series.

UNLV has a rich history at this time of the year, having four times advanced to the Final Four, including in 1990 when the Rebels won it all.

So with basketball — and all sports — on an indefinite break, here’s a look back at those four appearances:

1977

This first Final Four still holds a dear place in the hearts of longtime Rebels supporters. That team, known as the “Hardway Eight,” was responsible for putting UNLV into the national consciousness.

The 3-point line wouldn’t be in the college game for another 10 years, but the Rebels set NCAA records with most points (3,426), 100-point games (23) and consecutive 100-point games (12).

UNLV’s standout players: Reggie Theus, Glen Gondrezick, Robert Smith, Sam Smith, Eddie Owens.

Other Final Four teams: Marquette, North Carolina, North Carolina-Charlotte.

Location: Omni, Atlanta.

How UNLV performed: Lost to North Carolina 84-83 in the semifinals.

The skinny: The Rebels took a 65-55 second-half lead over North Carolina, but ultimately couldn’t overcome Mike O’Koren’s 31 points for the Tar Heels. Sam Smith led the Rebels with 20 points.

North Carolina star player Phil Ford: “Las Vegas could play in the NBA.”

1987

UNLV ended the season ranked No. 1 for the first time. The Rebels’ only loss during the regular season was by a point, 89-88, to Oklahoma.

The NCAA Tournament wasn’t much different, with UNLV mostly blowing through the field to reach the Final Four, though the Rebels almost lost to Iowa. UNLV fell behind by 19 points before rallying for an 84-81 victory in the West Regional final.

UNLV’s standout players: Freddie Banks, Armon Gilliam, Gerald Paddio, Mark Wade, Jarvis Basnight.

Other Final Four teams: Indiana, Providence, Syracuse.

Location: Superdome, New Orleans.

How UNLV performed: Lost to Indiana 97-93 in the semifinals.

The skinny: Steve Alford, long before he became a UNLV coaching nemesis at New Mexico and now UNR, did in the Rebels with a 33-point performance. Banks made 10 of 19 3-pointers for UNLV and had 38 points, and Gilliam scored 32.

UNLV guard Gary Graham: “Damn, I just can’t believe it’s over. We just didn’t have it today.”

1990

The dream season for the Rebels ended with a 30-point victory over Duke in the national championship, still the largest margin of victory in title-game history. That gave the Rebels their first and still only national championship.

UNLV’s closest call during the NCAA Tournament was a 69-67 victory over Ball State in the third round. But the Rebels then routed Loyola Marymount 131-101 to reach the Final Four.

UNLV’s standout players: Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, Anderson Hunt, David Butler.

Other Final Four teams: Arkansas, Duke, Georgia Tech.

Location: McNichols Arena, Denver.

How UNLV performed: Defeated Georgia Tech 90-81 in the semifinals and Duke 103-73 in the championship game.

The skinny: UNLV trailed by seven points in the semifinals against Georgia Tech before coming back to win. All five starters scored in double figures for the Rebels. That set up the title game, which UNLV blew open with an 18-point run in the second half. Hunt was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four after scoring 29 points. Johnson added 22.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski: “This was one of the great performances I’ve seen on defense. Their defense just would not let us play.”

1991

UNLV had a better team than the 1990 national title squad and was the prohibitive favorite from the season’s opening tipoff. The Rebels lived up to the hype, taking a 34-0 record into the Final Four.

UNLV fans know what happened next. Duke got its revenge from a year earlier by handing the Rebels their first loss. They haven’t returned to the Final Four since.

UNLV’s standout players: Johnson, Augmon, Anthony, Hunt, George Ackles.

Other Final Four teams: Duke, Kansas, North Carolina.

Location: Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis.

How UNLV performed: Lost to Duke 79-77 in the semifinals.

The skinny: Duke showed early this would be no repeat of the previous season by pushing the Rebels throughout. Even so, UNLV led 74-71 when Anthony was called for a questionable charge with 3:51 left, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Hunt scored 29 points for UNLV, and Christian Laettner led the Blue Devils with 28 points.

Anthony: “I still think we are part of history. We’re the greatest team not to win the national championship. I’d rather lose with this team than play on any other team and win.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.

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