February 10, 1991 – This game was bigger than big. It’s the #1
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels taking on the #2 Arkansas Razorbacks in Barnhill Arena in
Fayetteville, Arkansas. It’s Tark the Shark vs Rollin' with Nolan. It’s Todd
Day taking a swing at Larry Johnson. It’s the men vs the boys. It’s me getting on
national TV by walking behind Lesley Visser during the CBS pre-game (true story - check the tape). It’s college
students camping out all week for the best seats in the student section. It’s a
controversial Sunday morning tip-off in the conservative, Bible-belt region of the country.
This pom-pon was given to each of the 9,640 fans
in attendance that day. I’d venture a guess to say that I have one of the few
remaining specimens in mint condition. This promotional item was sponsored by
Magic 107.9 KEZA FM & Maxie’s Better Burgers To Go and included a plastic
pull-off tab with a Maxie’s coupon. While the Hogs lost the game 112-105 (the
final score not indicative of how much UNLV really dominated the game), they
finished the season 34-4 (15-1 in Southwest Conference play) and made it to the
Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament (losing to Kansas, 93-81). The Runnin’ Rebels,
on the other hand, finished the season 34-1, their only loss in the NCAA
Championship game to the Duke Blue Devils.
