35 years ago..the 1987 Final Four Team

[RebelScrub]

I feel this team doesn’t get talked about enough. Been on a binge lately watching Robert Worthen’s uploads of them on YouTube. Check them out.

I don’t know how they did it but they came back so many times after being down at halftime.

I just finished watching UNLV vs NMSU.

Armen “The Hammer” Gilliam was just so automatic down low from within 8 feet of the basket. RIP big fella.

Jarvis Basnight is extremely underrated. He wasn’t big but I think he is your prototype Rebel big man. but he ran like a deer. Played electrifying defense. I think he’s my favorite player on this team.

You got Freddie Banks and Gerald Paddio. Both could get hot from downtown.

man’s finally, Mark Wade. The Floor general. You thought Jordan Mcgabe couldn’t shoot?. You should see Mark Wade in action. What he lacked in shooting, he made up for it with great defense and his ability to try to get the ball down low to our bigs.

Don’t forget our bench. Eldridge Hudson and Gary Graham and the venerable, David Williard. I don’t know much about them but they gave some relief minutes when it mattered.

I love everything about this team. What do you remember about them?

I feel they should have been honored more. I think if they played a pick up game against the 1990 Squad in a mythical matchup, they certainly would have held their own.

 

[RebelScrub]

Check out this vid, there’s a mike Tyson ppv commercia, a Hayes 2400 baud modem, a tark knockoff Mickey D’s commercial..heck, Edward M Bernstein commercial too..

total time machine.

 

[JTthe2nd]

I remember they went on a tear at the very beginning of the season winning the preseason NIT notching victories against Arizona, W.Kentucky, and Temple. The games were soooo close and crazy. Yeah, Armen was an automatic 2 down low. He never bitched and moaned about the lack of looks he got either...a lot more understanding than I was. I'd go crazy when Freddy and Paddio would let it fly but I guess they had to keep the defenses honest so they wouldn't just collapse on Armen. Not the most athletic or talented Rebel team but possibly the most fun to watch.

 

[NSU67]

Warning! Do not ever tell Mark Wade he couldn't shoot!
First, he could. Second he was following coach' orders.
Third, you will make him very mad.

 

[RebelScrub]

Warning! Do not ever tell Mark Wade he couldn't shoot!
First, he could. Second he was following coach' orders.
Third, you will make him very mad.

I would get punched in the face, Mike Tyson style.

Absolute floor general. When you got Banks outside and Gilliam down low, I would rather have him pass it to the higher percentage shot in Gilliam or pass to the streaker Banks.

Wade was amazing in the open floor as well.

I am currently watching UNLV vs Auburn which was played in February. I don’t think any other team played out of conference games that late in the season. What a treat.

 

[RebelSoldat]

We would have won the national title in 1987 if Alford didn't get hot against us.

 

[Doneoett]

That Western Kentucky game was unbelievable.

 

[RebelScrub]

Jesus Christ, I never seen this game. Gilliam and Banks just go off at Auburn.

This team had backup players that picked up the slack. Willard and Cjanovich sighting.

This is a beat down of epic proportions. This was a well oiled machine clicking on all cylinders.

Mark Wade with some great bounce pass assists.

 

[RebelScrub]

That Western Kentucky game was unbelievable.

I think it’s on my Que to watch.

 

[UNLVINMD]

Great team that gets lost, they started great run thru 91.

 

[RebelScrub]

We would have won the national title in 1987 if Alford didn't get hot against us.

We tried everything to stop Alford. Saw both Banks and Wade guard him.

I don’t like to blame refs but they called a lot of lazy fouls in the first half.

Paddio and Wade were ice cold in this game. Wade had an amazing 16 assists

Indiana’s front court outplayed ours. They made a few key stops and scored underneath.

This loss hurt a lot some 35 years later on the replay.

It was an amazing season. We were ranked #1 throughout most of the season..

 

[RebelScrub]

Great team that gets lost, they started great run thru 91.

Tark had an amazing bench that was used throughout..

El HUD, Willard, Robinson, Gary Graham..

Some weren’t that great but they got a lot of PT.

 

[Rebel77fl2]

My favorite UNLV team.

 

[RebelScrub]

1986-1987, I was a 5th grader at Paul Culley Elementary. Had a really good childhood.



This song was played on the radio. Glad the bangles did not sue.

 

[Ernie Baer]

I love everything about this team. What do you remember about them?

The 86-87 team was Jerry’s personal favorite. They were the most relatable to him as you had multiple guys on the team who were not highly recruited, over achievers.

The team make-up, a bunch of specialist, was also how he liked to build a team. Pass first PG in Wade, snipper in Paddio, versatile player in Banks who could shoot and get it done off the dribble, a dominant back to the basket player in Gilliam and a bunch of guys in Hudson, Graham, Basnight and Willard who completely bought into their roles.

They were a fun group to be around, some very different personalities. You had guys in Wade, Gilliam and Graham who were business like then you had Hudson and Basnight who were care free, loved having a good time.

There were some great memories, times, during that season. A few off the top of my head.

Was the first season they did the pre-game fireworks. Quickly gained national attention and The Chicago Bulls sent representatives in to learn about it.

Remember several of the players, particularly Mark, going crazy seeing Lola Falona when she came to one of the home games.

At the pre-seaon NIT in New York, the four teams were invited to a formal meal Thanksgiving day. The other teams came all dressed up. Rebel players came in their Nike warm-ups, ball caps and sneakers. Lois got upset and told them they needed to go back to their rooms and change. Jerry had a good laugh and told her, “these guys don’t own a suit much less want to wear one.”

After UNLV went back to number 1 there was the great billboard near the airport, “UNLV 1, Dick/Howard 0” which was a jab at Dick Vitale and Howard Cosell who didn’t believe UNLV was worthy of the number 1 ranking.

Gerg busting Armon’s chops for big-timing his big man practices.

Following the win over Fullerton in the PCAA tournament Magic Johnson sprinted over to meet Jerry. Jerry got him to speak to the team in the locker room and he praised how well they played.

A good 5.000-6,000 were at the airport to greet the team upon arriving back from Seattle as West Regional champions.

The team doing all they could to convince Jerry for a 200am curfew in New Orleans. Staff practiced them so hard most were in bed not long after night fall.

Prior to the American Airlines team flight to New Orleans taking off the Pilot got on the PA system and said, “"For you Runnin' Rebels on board, I want you to give Bobby Knight something to whine about.” Guess they weren’t a fan of the General.

 

[NSU67]

Thanks, Ernie.

 

[j. spilotro]

The 86-87 team was Jerry’s personal favorite. They were the most relatable to him as you had multiple guys on the team who were not highly recruited, over achievers.

The team make-up, a bunch of specialist, was also how he liked to build a team. Pass first PG in Wade, snipper in Paddio, versatile player in Banks who could shoot and get it done off the dribble, a dominant back to the basket player in Gilliam and a bunch of guys in Hudson, Graham, Basnight and Willard who completely bought into their roles.

They were a fun group to be around, some very different personalities. You had guys in Wade, Gilliam and Graham who were business like then you had Hudson and Basnight who were care free, loved having a good time.

There were some great memories, times, during that season. A few off the top of my head.

Was the first season they did the pre-game fireworks. Quickly gained national attention and The Chicago Bulls sent representatives in to learn about it.

Remember several of the players, particularly Mark, going crazy seeing Lola Falona when she came to one of the home games.

At the pre-seaon NIT in New York, the four teams were invited to a formal meal Thanksgiving day. The other teams came all dressed up. Rebel players came in their Nike warm-ups, ball caps and sneakers. Lois got upset and told them they needed to go back to their rooms and change. Jerry had a good laugh and told her, “these guys don’t own a suit much less want to wear one.”

After UNLV went back to number 1 there was the great billboard near the airport, “UNLV 1, Dick/Howard 0” which was a jab at Dick Vitale and Howard Cosell who didn’t believe UNLV was worthy of the number 1 ranking.

Gerg busting Armon’s chops for big-timing his big man practices.

Following the win over Fullerton in the PCAA tournament Magic Johnson sprinted over to meet Jerry. Jerry got him to speak to the team in the locker room and he praised how well they played.

A good 5.000-6,000 were at the airport to greet the team upon arriving back from Seattle as West Regional champions.

The team doing all they could to convince Jerry for a 200am curfew in New Orleans. Staff practiced them so hard most were in bed not long after night fall.

Prior to the American Airlines team flight to New Orleans taking off the Pilot got on the PA system and said, “"For you Runnin' Rebels on board, I want you to give Bobby Knight something to whine about.” Guess they weren’t a fan of the General.

This is great content. Thank you.

 

[RebelScrub]

I haven’t seen this game since 1987. I remember the halftime controversy but don’t remember what it was all about. God, I love the internet. We’re able to see replay and didn’t have that luxury back in the 80’s.

I don’t get it, if the crowd brought in a fake horn, that should have been a technical. I wonder if Brent Musberger ever atoned for that.

This game was electric. Loved how our guys played.

Jarvis Basnight played with a bum ankle. Not sure if Tomchek was on staff doing his Mr. Miyagi injury impression. Jarvis had 2 absolutely ELECTRIC dunks. One was a fastbreak reverse alley oop from Mark Wade and another was a steal breakaway for a windmill jam. This guy played with a TON of heart. Enough to make Ben Simmons quit for the rest of the year if he saw this game.

 

[wyo 1]

I was a UNLV and Tark fan back then. My first year out of high school I was so happy to go to the tournament in Salt Lake because not only was Wyoming playing there, UNLV was there as well and it was my first time seeing that team and Tark live.

We beat Virginia first round and then knocked off Reggie Miller and UCLA. If my memory is correct UNLV won in OT second round setting up a sweet sixteen matchup with the Cowboys. At the hotel bar that night I met a bunch of UNLV fans and I told this guy I always liked Tark and wanted a UNLV shirt. He went up to his room and brought down a shirt to give me and he wanted my Wyoming hat, fair trade I thought.

We got blasted by UNLV in the sweet sixteen. That was a powerhouse team you guys had back then. Sorry for rambling on, but I will never forget that weekend.

p.s. I still have that shirt today.

 

[RebelScrub]

I was a UNLV and Tark fan back then. My first year out of high school I was so happy to go to the tournament in Salt Lake because not only was Wyoming playing there, UNLV was there as well and it was my first time seeing that team and Tark live.

We beat Virginia first round and then knocked off Reggie Miller and UCLA. If my memory is correct UNLV won in OT second round setting up a sweet sixteen matchup with the Cowboys. At the hotel bar that night I met a bunch of UNLV fans and I told this guy I always liked Tark and wanted a UNLV shirt. He went up to his room and brought down a shirt to give me and he wanted my Wyoming hat, fair trade I thought.

We got blasted by UNLV in the sweet sixteen. That was a powerhouse team you guys had back then. Sorry for rambling on, but I will never forget that weekend.

p.s. I still have that shirt today.

It’s good to hear from an outsider’s input. Wyoming has a ton of basketball history. I know some guy named Fennis Dembo because I used to collect basketball cards and it seemed like there was a Fennis Dembo Rookie card in every Score’s pack. I think The Pistons drafted him.

I always liked Coach McClain’s teams from the late 90’s early 2000’s. His teams actually ran the ball. Your current coach is doing well. Hope to see some success. It’s very hard to recruit to Wyoming.

Would like to visit Laramie. I think it would be an eye opening experience for me.

 

[Doneoett]

1986-1987, I was a 5th grader at Paul Culley Elementary. Had a really good childhood.

View embedded media

This song was played on the radio. Glad the bangles did not sue.

I have this.

 

[j. spilotro]

 

[j. spilotro]

View embedded media

When I see videos of those old teams, yeah, they were great, really great … and when I compare it to todays teams, besides the difference in quality, what stands out is the older teams were grown ass men and todays are kids. Huge difference in maturity. It really does look like a bunch of 25 year olds vs 15 year olds.

 

[bcvegaspt]

RIP to so many in that video.

If I'm not mistaken, Valerie Pida is even in it. (forgive me if I'm remembering her name incorrectly)

 

[j. spilotro]

RIP to so many in that video.

If I'm not mistaken, Valerie Pida is even in it. (forgive me if I'm remembering her name incorrectly)

She’s in there a few times.

 

[RebelScrub]

Valerie Pida. Everytime I walk outside the Moyer Student Union, there’s a certain kind of sadness where her memorial is located.

 

[RebelScrub]

Armen Gilliam in the pros. He was quite a scoring machine around the basket.









What an athlete. Former wrestler and footballer. Converted to a basketball player.

Tark and Grg definitely helped his game. Has great touch around the basket.

I like Armen’s demeanor. You didn’t really see a lot of anger from him. He played down low in the trenches. A lot of bumping and contact.

 

[rebelwithacause]

That was the team that hooked me. That year was special. I remember watching the final four game at the T&M. The Iowa game though had me jumping up and down and going absolutely bonkers ( 16 year old kid). The AIRPORT reception when they got home was cool. fun fun fun year from start to finish.

 

[RebelScrub]

That Western Kentucky game was unbelievable.

They played us real tough. McClary and Kennard Johnson put up one helluva fight.

What is this “Night Flight” that I’m seeing that is delayed cause of a double OT game..

 

[j. spilotro]

That was the team that hooked me. That year was special. I remember watching the final four game at the T&M. The Iowa game though had me jumping up and down and going absolutely bonkers ( 16 year old kid). The AIRPORT reception when they got home was cool. fun fun fun year from start to finish.

They were like a first love. They were my favorite team too. I do believe they were the best in the nation that year even though they fell to Indiana.

As Baer posted, they were a mix of different personalities and it made it fun. What also made it fun was we had most of them for awhile on the team so you felt like you knew them individually and as a unit - that makes it more personable, easy to identify with them … it was special.

 

[RebelScrub]

These commercials are so Vegas..

“The island of Las Vegas”

“Mordechai Jewelers…”

Navy vs UNLV.

Sucks that David Robinson got in early foul trouble. What a tremendous athlete for his size.

The crowd looked amazing. You’ll never ever see the Mack that packed ever again..

Chick Hearn calling the game by himself.

I’ve never seen this game until today.

1987. UNLV looked like a prime ancient Egypt. Must have been a sight to behold. Fast forward 35 years to 2022…just depressing.

Crowd is long gone and dead. A lot of people have have died and passed on. UNLV basketball just a shadow of its former self. The Golden Knights and the Raiders are in town.

 

[Rebel77fl2]

not that it will happen, but if the UNLV under KK played like that and had that success the Mack would be packed again. Probably not the same feel as that won’t be recreated but people would show up.

 

[WarthogRebel]

I was in the uppers for that. Seems like last week.

 

[rebelwithacause]

View embedded media

These commercials are so Vegas..

“The island of Las Vegas”

“Mordechai Jewelers…”

Navy vs UNLV.

Sucks that David Robinson got in early foul trouble. What a tremendous athlete for his size.

The crowd looked amazing. You’ll never ever see the Mack that packed ever again..

Chick Hearn calling the game by himself.

I’ve never seen this game until today.

1987. UNLV looked like a prime ancient Egypt. Must have been a sight to behold. Fast forward 35 years to 2022…just depressing.

Crowd is long gone and dead. A lot of people have have died and passed on. UNLV basketball just a shadow of its former self. The Golden Knights and the Raiders are in town.

I was at that game and met David Robinson after the game in the tunnel. Well IDK if you can call it meeting him ? I went up to him and said "good game" and he looked right back at me and just grabbed his ball sack.

 

[Soul Cane]

I haven’t seen this game since 1987. I remember the halftime controversy but don’t remember what it was all about. God, I love the internet. We’re able to see replay and didn’t have that luxury back in the 80’s.

I don’t get it, if the crowd brought in a fake horn, that should have been a technical. I wonder if Brent Musberger ever atoned for that.

This game was electric. Loved how our guys played.

Jarvis Basnight played with a bum ankle. Not sure if Tomchek was on staff doing his Mr. Miyagi injury impression. Jarvis had 2 absolutely ELECTRIC dunks. One was a fastbreak reverse alley oop from Mark Wade and another was a steal breakaway for a windmill jam. This guy played with a TON of heart. Enough to make Ben Simmons quit for the rest of the year if he saw this game.

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I attended the UNLV basketball camp in the last 80s which Grgurich ran.

At one point, they showed a video sent by Musberger to UNLV where Brent apologized to Tark and the school for completely screwing up the Oklahoma game replay to the officials.

 

[Soul Cane]

not that it will happen, but if the UNLV under KK played like that and had that success the Mack would be packed again. Probably not the same feel as that won’t be recreated but people would show up.

That's Bobby Knight was so impressed with Tark'.

He got his teams to play phenomenally hard.

It's not easy to push your team to the limit and not have disgruntled players. Tark was able to do it because his players knew he was the real deal and they respected the hell out of him.

 

[Soul Cane]

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We tried everything to stop Alford. Saw both Banks and Wade guard him.

I don’t like to blame refs but they called a lot of lazy fouls in the first half.

Paddio and Wade were ice cold in this game. Wade had an amazing 16 assists

Indiana’s front court outplayed ours. They made a few key stops and scored underneath.

This loss hurt a lot some 35 years later on the replay.

It was an amazing season. We were ranked #1 throughout most of the season..

The officiating was nowhere near the same level of one-sidedness as the '77 and '91 Final Four games.

But Indiana got away with a ton of moving screens to get shots open for Alford and Smart.

 

[j. spilotro]

The officiating was nowhere near the same level of one-sidedness as the '77 and '91 Final Four games.

But Indiana got away with a ton of moving screens to get shots open for Alford and Smart.

Coaches that are screen heavy usually like to get a couple called early. Even “intentionally”. Refs aren’t going to call 7 illegal screens in a game … get them out of the way early and you are more likely to get away with them late.

And I’m not meaning it in a cheating/dirty way. It’s just screen heavy. Majerus was similar in that manner. It’s good basketball.