Last night, UNLV kicked off its 2009/2010 basketball season with a 91-52 domination of Division 2 Pittsburgh St. In a direct reversal of play that we saw on Tuesday night versus Washburn, UNLV was a master of the press, both Bellfield and Jasper were hawks on the ball, and Tre’Von Willis gained the lane whenever he wanted, dominating the early parts of the second half to put the game safely away. Blow outs are fun, but only when the methods to obtain them are sound. Great pressure on the ball defense, and ball rotation on offense are what led to this 39 point drubbing. The game was horribly called though, with UNLV shooting 52 FT’s, slowing the game down to a crawl at best. This combined with my recent bout with food poisoning, and a pending trip to see a funny lady at Caesars with my ladyfriend did not really bode me well. Still, I was there, and glad to be there, even with some random boxing match in town.
This is just the start though. It is my goal this year to attend a minimum of 50 college basketball games. Not unlike a more well-known blogger and champion of the underdog (and his 100 game project), if everything goes according to plan, even with a full time job, a goofy dog, and the holiday season filled with visiting family members and trips to the west coast, I will end the season with over 50 games attended. Here’s how it “should” all go down:
- UNLV Home Games: Season tickets, plus one game at the Orleans Arena vs Kansas State, which Sam will be in town for = 16
- Las Vegas Invitational – 11/27 and 11/28: Four games 1st round and four games 2nd round = 8
- Holiday Hoops Classic – 12/19 and 12/20: Two games 1st round and two games 2nd round = 4
- Las Vegas Classic – 12/22 and 12/23: Four games 1st round and four games 2nd round = 8
- MWC Tournament – 3/10-3/13: One game on Wednesday, Four on Thursday, Two on Friday, one on Saturday = 8
- WCC Tournament – 3/5-3/8: Two games on the 5th, 6th and 7th, title game on the 8th = 7
- NCAA Tournament 1st and 2nd Rounds, Buffalo NY – 3/19 and 3/21: Four games on Friday, 2 on sunday = 6
- NCAA Final Four, Indianapolis, IN – 4/3 and 4/5: Two games on Saturday, one on Sunday = 3
Now, I realize this is a total of 60. I also did not include the NCAA Regional’s in Salt Lake, which I do not have official plans to go to, but could change as the season goes on. It’s within driving distance of my home here in Vegas, and is easily doable at the last second, if I can persuade my ladyfriend to attend with me. I set my goal at 50 because I had most of these chances last year, and I was not able to attend all of them due to work schedules or things just not being totally doable. Also, I am working towards finishing my degree, taking classes at night most of the week, which could throw off my count one or two here or there. Either way, 50 is the goal, with 60 obtainable. Next year, 70 will be obtainable with the WAC bringing its conference tournament to Vegas, throw in a few random road games (Paulie Pavilion anybody?), I’m bound to be close.
Until then, if anybody wishes to help facilitate this by coming over to fold laundry, help with homework, or buy me a hot dog at one of these games, you know where I’ll be, and when.
