The
Countdown has begun. This week, we are unveiling the Top 5 Favorite Runnin’
Rebel Memories from the 2009-10 season as selected by a group of fans, players
and coaches.
No. 5 – Selection Sunday
With a
handful of No. 1 votes, “Selection Sunday” starts our list at No. 5 on the
countdown. The Runnin’ Rebels and their fans didn’t have to wait long during
the CBS Selection Show on March 14 to find out its NCAA Tournament fate.
UNLV was
the first at-large team announced as the eighth-seeded Runnin’ Rebels secured
their third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the past four years. The Runnin’
Rebels (with 25 wins) were matched up in the first round against the eventual
darling of the Sweet 16 – Northern Iowa – and suffered a heart-breaking loss on
a late, deep three-pointer from Ali Farokhmanesh.
The Runnin’
Rebels started one junior (Tre’Von Willis), three sophomores (Oscar Bellfield,
Brice Massamba and Chace Stanback) and one freshman (Anthony Marshall) in the
NCAA Tournament game in Oklahoma City giving UNLV fans and players much reason
to look forward to the future.
However,
Selection Sunday this past March brought smiles to the faces of UNLV fans
across the city, state and nation as the Runnin’ Rebels were dancing once again.
Said one fan
who voted “Selection Sunday” as the No. 1 memory from the 2009-10 season: “No.
1 – Selection Sunday, because the most important thing about the regular season
is qualifying for the postseason. And with four Mountain West teams receiving
bids, it was a great day for Rebel fans and MWC fans.”
Coming
Tuesday: Favorite Runnin’ Rebel Memory No. 4 from the 2009-10 season.