Monday, March 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
It had been four years since UNLV had a reason to practice on Selection Sunday. And even though the Rebels were not among the chosen 64 for the NCAA's party, they still have something to play for.
Bill Bayno's team has at least one more game left in its season as UNLV will play host to Memphis at 9 p.m. Wednesday in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The game will be televised nationally by ESPN (Cable 19).
It is the first postseason appearance for the Rebels since 1993 -- when Rollie Massimino's team was routed 90-74 by Southern Cal in the Mack in what was dubbed the "St. Patrick's Day Massacre."
Ironically, if the Rebels can get by Memphis Wednesday, they would have an opportunity to avenge that 1993 NIT defeat by playing a second-round game on March 17 against the survivor of Wednesday's Oregon-Hawaii game. The Thomas & Mack is available that evening, and a show of support Wednesday might influence the NIT to allow UNLV to host the second-round game.
"It's a great opportunity for our program," Bayno said of the Rebels, who have bounced back from a 10-16 season in 1995-96 to bring a 20-9 record into Wednesday's game. "A year ago, we were done a week ago. So we've come a long way.
"But we're going to need our crowd to be there for us. If we got 10,000-12,000, I'd be disappointed. We need to get 16,000 in there."
Memphis brings a 16-14 record into Wednesday's game, having won four of its last six. Coach Larry Finch, who is stepping down at the conclusion of the season, guided the team to a 10-4 record in Conference USA, including wins over NCAA-bound Marquette and Louisville. The Tigers have nonconference wins over Oklahoma and Jackson State, which also are going to the Big Dance.
"I knew we were going to get a tough game," Bayno said of the contest, which will be televised live nationally on ESPN. "We'll just have to prepare as best we can and get ready to play Wednesday."
The players were disappointed at first by the NCAA's snub. But after watching the brackets fill up on television from Bayno's office, they quickly turned their focus to the NIT and making a run to the Final Four March 25 at Madison Square Garden. UNLV would need to win three games to reach the Big Apple.
"We didn't get our hopes up too high for the NCAA," said senior Sunshine Smith, who's from Brooklyn. "Everyone still wants to play ball and our goal is to take it all the way to New York."
Junior Tyrone Nesby said the team wants to send the seniors out in appropriate fashion.
"This is a big thing for them," he said. "We'll get a chance at the NCAAs next year. But for Sun, Warren (Rosegreen), Damian (Smith) Tony (Lane) and Kevin (James), this is it. They don't get another shot. So we've got to go for it now."
Junior center Keon Clark said playing in the NIT can be a good thing if the Rebels want it to be.
"It's a learning experience," he said. "I like the challenge of trying to win the NIT."
Clark also said he'll be ready to go physically after going through a tough conference schedule where he appeared to be worn down late in the WAC campaign.
"I'm ready to go," he said. "It's been frustrating at times having two, three guys on me. But if I get touches, we'll do good."
Bayno said the formula doesn't change now that it's a win-or-be-gone situation.
The team took a couple of days off after losing to Tulsa Thursday in the WAC Tournament quarterfinals. With practices scheduled today and Tuesday, the Rebels should be rested and physically prepared to play.
In analyzing why the NCAA didn't take UNLV, Bayno didn't think there was any one game that did the Rebels in.
"One game didn't do it," he said. "We weren't supposed to get in. The kids knew we were a long shot to get in and if we got in, great.
"But they should feel proud of what they accomplished. They're part of one of the best turnarounds of any team in the country."
Nesby said there's still plenty of motivation left.
"Me, I want to get a ring," he said. "If it's an NIT ring, that's cool."
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