We used to say at this point in the season that we need "3 games in march" to salvage the season. Right now I just would like to see a top 5 MW finish and play their way into a competitive game on Friday night of the MWC tournament - that would be a nice step in the right direction from recent history.
expectations (sadly)
- Thread starter jdlr33
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As has been previously noted, this is effectively year number one of the Marvin Menzies era.
Were he to advance in the MW Tournament to the semis, or perhaps even the finals, he should be commended for a job well-done. Considering the condition of the program that he inherited, the fact that he will win 20 games, is nearly miraculous.
We, as fans, tend to be an impatient lot. We want to go to the Final Four, and we want it NOW! But a dose of reality is necessary from time to time. And the reality is, that MM brought in some talented players, and their early season successes lulled us into a pipe-dream. We believed that this team was going to go far this season. We wanted a short-cut to the big-time.
But there are no short-cuts. Building a successful program takes time. We must give the Coach the necessary time to establish a base-line on which to build. He’s the right man to do it. He knows what he’s doing. We need to step back, and let the process take place, without wringing our hands, just because we had a bad game, or we don’t win it all this season.
Go Rebels!
Good improvement from last year. Get a few more wins in the season, hopefully at Utah State as I'll be there lol, and do a little something in the MWC Tourney. Some more good recruits coming next year, with a decent returning class.
NIce to see a few people with their head on straight about this team and the job Menzies is doing.
We got blown out by San Diego last week.. doesn't change the fact that before that game we still needed the same result... Win the MWC tournament to make the Dance.
We lose 3 starters next year but the guys we got to fill these roles next year are exciting. Amauri Hardy or the Senior Transfer, Mbacke Diong, and I would guess some combo of beck and the 3 freshman will factor into the rotation. Hope to see everyone at the game tonight!
We got blown out by San Diego last week.. doesn't change the fact that before that game we still needed the same result... Win the MWC tournament to make the Dance.
We lose 3 starters next year but the guys we got to fill these roles next year are exciting. Amauri Hardy or the Senior Transfer, Mbacke Diong, and I would guess some combo of beck and the 3 freshman will factor into the rotation. Hope to see everyone at the game tonight!
Eyeball wise, obviously a tremendous difference between last year and this year. To be expected considering it was the worst year in history. But the team, when they play well, looks the part this year. When they don’t play well, which has been far too often, even in several wins like SJSU or North Colorado or the AFA games, they look lost and disjointed.
Numbers wise, looking purely at stats, wins losses and those things, huge improvement. Again, expected considering we came off our worst system in history.
That said, in regards to the statistical improvement, you also would be remiss if you didn’t take the incredible difference of strength of schedule into account. Last season’s schedule was difficult. Not the most difficult schedule ever for UNLV, but it stacked up with our better schedules. Conversely, UNLV has never played a schedule as weak as the one they decided to play this year. That the conference schedule actually improved our SOS says a lot. You can peruse various websites and see the non-con OOC and I believe it was somewhere right around 300, territory UNLV has never come close to approaching before. What we thought were “good wins”, eh. Utah was for sure, especially since we showed up dominant against a similar foe. Illinois, which was lauded because they are a P5 team, is garbage. The loss at UNI was “ok to lose” because it was a (forced) road game (our first of only two) against a team from a similar conference. But as it turns out, they aren’t good. The OT loss against Arizona was actually good, AZ was struggling really badly, but they are a good team.
You can look at bottom lines only and come up with one viewpoint and you can look at all the details and come up with a viewpoint that’s much different. Bottom line stats don’t do much for me, they’re too easy, they take little thinking and they look at the tiniest snapshot of a situation. It’s a flawed way of interpreting data.
Pure speculation on my part here of course, but with the difference in strength of schedules, last years team would have probably be around 16/17-10/11 with this year’s schedule (as opposed to the current 19-8) and this year’s team would probably have finished last year’s schedule at about 17-15 (as opposed to the 11-21 they finished with).
But there’s definitely huge improvement from last season. But it wasn’t this miraculous, holy turnaround - not when you chose to automatically build in 10 or so wins by way of very weak scheduling.
I can’t dispute the strength of schedule comparison. Obviously, we played a very weak OOC slate. But I think our run during the Utah, UNI (not impressing overall, but still a tough home team), Arizona stretch, showed marked improvement over, not only last season’s record-setting team, but also over several years of mediocrity prior to that.
That they had a relapse last week at Viejas, means very little, unless they are unable to re-capture the intensity that they showed vs Boise St & UN-Ren’t. and even the following games vs Wyoming and Air Force. You think those were poor efforts? I see them both as games where we held double-digit leads, which we surrendered. But last year, and even during the previous seasons before that, we would almost always fold. Give up the lead and give up the game. It was precisely that type of game, vs Wyoming a couple of years ago that preceded the firing of Dave Rice.This season we have shown the ability to re-group, and re-gain the lead and win the game. That’s progress.
If this season’s improvement is insufficient for you, so be it. You want to make an issue over how weak our schedule was, but I understand why the Coach saw it as a way to instill winning into the consciousness of his players. Considering the shambles our program was in, when Marvin Menzies arrived, I’m satisfied. I consider it a job well done. I expect next years opponents to be tougher. I’ll have the patience to see what happens then.
Go Rebels!
I understand that line of thinking. Expectations have dropped to the height a termite couldn’t even limbo. It’s been eroding that way for awhile.I can’t dispute the strength of schedule comparison. Obviously, we played a very weak OOC slate. But I think our run during the Utah, UNI (not impressing overall, but still a tough home team), Arizona stretch, showed marked improvement over, not only last season’s record-setting team, but also over several years of mediocrity prior to that.
That they had a relapse last week at Viejas, means very little, unless they are unable to re-capture the intensity that they showed vs Boise St & UN-Ren’t. and even the following games vs Wyoming and Air Force. You think those were poor efforts? I see them both as games where we held double-digit leads, which we surrendered. But last year, and even during the previous seasons before that, we would almost always fold. Give up the lead and give up the game. It was precisely that type of game, vs Wyoming a couple of years ago that preceded the firing of Dave Rice.This season we have shown the ability to re-group, and re-gain the lead and win the game. That’s progress.
If this season’s improvement is insufficient for you, so be it. You want to make an issue over how weak our schedule was, but I understand why the Coach saw it as a way to instill winning into the consciousness of his players. Considering the shambles our program was in, when Marvin Menzies arrived, I’m satisfied. I consider it a job well done. I expect next years opponents to be tougher. I’ll have the patience to see what happens then.
Go Rebels!
Unfortunately, fans aren’t buying it. They always go by tickets sold, not what is in house - all schools do that. But I don’t think there’s ever been a bigger gap between sold and actual bodies. This is after tip. 9500 sold.... maybe 1k here? Fans aren’t buying it at all. Obviously, many factors to that but among that can’t be “winning solves it” because we were winning early and nobody showed up. It’s hard to see this.
https://ibb.co/hZETVx
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I think we've all had our heart broken by this program a lot. And so personally, I have a "prove it" mentality now. I do not get excited about recruits or by expectations, I only believe it when I see it. I have literally not even opened my season tickets this year. Haven't been to a game, but watched them all. Mainly its a coping mechanism.....I don't want to invest time/energy/hope into this team just to be let down again.
What I see is just meh. Middling finish in a terrible conference. We have a team that is fun to watch, but the overall results are just really mediocre to this point.
And to watch our rivals win back to back conference championships is just painful. We have 1 conference title in 19 years in this league, and I believe that one was shared. UNR has been here for a cup of coffee and has double that, both outright.
What I see is just meh. Middling finish in a terrible conference. We have a team that is fun to watch, but the overall results are just really mediocre to this point.
And to watch our rivals win back to back conference championships is just painful. We have 1 conference title in 19 years in this league, and I believe that one was shared. UNR has been here for a cup of coffee and has double that, both outright.
The pic wouldn’t upload but there are more fans like you than not like you. If 10k are paid for and let’s be generous and say 3k are showing up, that means 70 percent of paid tickets are saying the product isn’t worth it even though I paid for it.
The Knights have a lot to do with it, the unnecessary chaos that was created here has something to do with it - but in the 32 years I’ve watched UNLV basketball, this is the least interested I’ve seen the city. They may mean a lot to you, me and a few handfuls more and I guess ultimately, that is what’s important - but that doesn’t stop the overall interest from continuing to nosedive into obscurity. It sucks.
There were maybe 5k in attendance at the game. Or I should say, ARE attending the game tonight. Its beyond embarrassing. I was there.
I've always been bad at estimating 
You gotta find a way to bring the students back - and keep them.
You gotta find a way to bring the students back - and keep them.
I saw the halftime commentators and there was only like 2 people behind not giving AF. The rest of the seats were empty.
I hate to admit it but TIG is right, it IS year one. By year 3 or 4 they will be competing with the Raiders, Golden Knights and a semi professional soccer team.
I see the writing on the wall. Long term, we are screwed.
I don’t think any coach would accept a 40 something drubbing and a followup 20 point destruction AT home.
How do you build on losses like these for next year?
I’m trying to be optimistic,
We got Hardy, Hamilton, Juice and Mback. You gotta think McCoy stays after these performances.
His stats don’t scream “draft me” at all so here’s hoping he stays based on these losses. Heck we need to tank the rest of the season and pin it on McCoy.
I hate to admit it but TIG is right, it IS year one. By year 3 or 4 they will be competing with the Raiders, Golden Knights and a semi professional soccer team.
I see the writing on the wall. Long term, we are screwed.
I don’t think any coach would accept a 40 something drubbing and a followup 20 point destruction AT home.
How do you build on losses like these for next year?
I’m trying to be optimistic,
We got Hardy, Hamilton, Juice and Mback. You gotta think McCoy stays after these performances.
His stats don’t scream “draft me” at all so here’s hoping he stays based on these losses. Heck we need to tank the rest of the season and pin it on McCoy.
I completely understand that line of thinking. It makes perfect sense to judge the success or failure of the Rebels by the attendance. And I can’t deny that they generate very little fan interest in town. I’ve recently had the opportunity to meet many different people. When I would mention my excitement for the team, it produced a blank look on their faces. Yes, sadly there is no more “Gucci Row”.
But that’s not my personal way to judge the team. I haven’t been to the T&M in a few years. Not from any lack of interest. Only because my waning health precluded it. Were it not for that, I’d be at every game. I find this team exciting and entertaining. If other Las Vegans don’t see that, or don’t care, I consider that their loss.
Of course, lack of attendance translates into lower budget, which is bad. But I will be with the Rebels, through thick and thin. If the rest of the town bails on them, I’ll be there alone. If I sufficiently recover to the point where I can once again go to games, I’ll be there every time.
I love me some Rebels! They have brought me some moments of joy. Beating Sparks U was a highlight.
Go Rebels!
I do hope you recover 100% and very soon. And though I'm not a doctor, attending games might not be the best things for your health. Runnin' Rebel Fever is different now. Closer to a plague.I completely understand that line of thinking. It makes perfect sense to judge the success or failure of the Rebels by the attendance. And I can’t deny that they generate very little fan interest in town. I’ve recently had the opportunity to meet many different people. When I would mention my excitement for the team, it produced a blank look on their faces. Yes, sadly there is no more “Gucci Row”.
But that’s not my personal way to judge the team. I haven’t been to the T&M in a few years. Not from any lack of interest. Only because my waning health precluded it. Were it not for that, I’d be at every game. I find this team exciting and entertaining. If other Las Vegans don’t see that, or don’t care, I consider that their loss.
Of course, lack of attendance translates into lower budget, which is bad. But I will be with the Rebels, through thick and thin. If the rest of the town bails on them, I’ll be there alone. If I sufficiently recover to the point where I can once again go to games, I’ll be there every time.
I love me some Rebels!
Go Rebels!
Ha! You made me laugh. And I thank you for your best wishes. Don't worry, I'll be back at the games soon enough...I'm a Rebel to the end.
Go Rebels!
All joking aside and not to sound like Rollie - but it’s only a game. When you really look at it, it is only a game. Your health and family and friends are so much more important than a game.Ha! You made me laugh. And I thank you for your best wishes. Don't worry, I'll be back at the games soon enough...I'm a Rebel to the end.
Go Rebels!
So best wishes to you. Would love to see you sitting in the Mack again, health and happy. UNLV needs fans like you.
Ah... Did I hear the fat lady sing? I hope the Rebs do not lose out. But it does not look good. Time for Football. Hope to see everyone on the football forum. ![[cheers]](https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/891/5628.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
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NSU67
Guest
In fairness, Joe, those pictures were taken before the game. There were more, as the crowd was typically late arriving. But, the pix could have been taken with five minutes to go, when disgusted fans had left.
Still, probably 5-6k. There were actually some upstairs. But pitiful crowd.
I do believe that more fans were chased away last year. Not much this year to bring them back. Then, more folks were lost.
Still, probably 5-6k. There were actually some upstairs. But pitiful crowd.
I do believe that more fans were chased away last year. Not much this year to bring them back. Then, more folks were lost.
If the Rebels haven’t completely checked out, mentally, they should handle New Mexico even at the Pit, which is not as intimidating as it once was. And the same could be said for Utah State. They beat us at the Mack. We should play them with revenge in mind.
As for the Hicks from the Sticks, I have doubts that we can beat them twice. It would be delicious if it was possible, but given the Rebels current state, it seems unlikely.
Given the two road games & UNr, it’s possible that we’ll never get that 20th win, but I believe we will. Menzies is too accomplished as a coach to allow his team to cash their chips this close to the finish line.
Go Rebels!
Arizon loss was pretty good.
Were they "struggling mightily"? MEH. Sure they were coming off a losing streak that had them plummet from the polls. ALL of those happened to be contained in the Bahamas. Starting with our game, they ripped off several wins in a row climbing pretty high in the polls.
I think the preseason tropical trip with a very young team played into that. Also were without Trier.
UNI ended being a worse loss than expected. That kind of sucked. I think their big (drawing a blank on his name) really took advantage of McCoy's defense. It was first exploited by Ayton, be he is a lottery pick. It would take several games to adjust to players just driving right through B Mac.
Good news, this team when really cooking can beat any team in this conference. With the SDSU home game that had a nice streak of mostly playing well. SO they definitely have a shot to go on a run in the MWCT
Bad news, they haven't play consistent all year. And after that run of good games, they followed it up with 2 absolute stinkers.
soo.... expect the worst and hope for the best!?!?
Were they "struggling mightily"? MEH. Sure they were coming off a losing streak that had them plummet from the polls. ALL of those happened to be contained in the Bahamas. Starting with our game, they ripped off several wins in a row climbing pretty high in the polls.
I think the preseason tropical trip with a very young team played into that. Also were without Trier.
UNI ended being a worse loss than expected. That kind of sucked. I think their big (drawing a blank on his name) really took advantage of McCoy's defense. It was first exploited by Ayton, be he is a lottery pick. It would take several games to adjust to players just driving right through B Mac.
Good news, this team when really cooking can beat any team in this conference. With the SDSU home game that had a nice streak of mostly playing well. SO they definitely have a shot to go on a run in the MWCT
Bad news, they haven't play consistent all year. And after that run of good games, they followed it up with 2 absolute stinkers.
soo.... expect the worst and hope for the best!?!?
