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Dick Harmon: Post-game brawl mars MWC title

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Jobbed again | 12:26 a.m. March 16, 2008
Dick - get real. You know the Cougs would have won it if it was played anywhere else but on UNLV's home floor.

UNLV fans are hoodlums. And they'll keep winning the tourney as long as it's played at the Thomas & Mack.

Now BYU has ammunition to just say no next year.

But the athletic officials won't have the guts to pull out.
SJ Bobkins | 1:01 a.m. March 16, 2008
People go to Las Vegas to act like children, however with bigger bodies, greater rights, and more damaging appetites. This incident should be sufficient to end the MWC tourneys being played in this X-rayed Disneyland. I know San Diego St. fans want to continue having the tourney in Las Vegas, Wyoming fans second the motion, but neither' team plays in the Las Vegas Bowl nor in the Basketball Championship, so why should they care.
Let the regular champion host the semi's through the championship game, get out of Las Vegas.
Belgie | 1:17 a.m. March 16, 2008
Wow! What a great venue for the MWC tournament. Thompson should give T&M the contract forever!
Comments continue below
A box full of idiots | 1:25 a.m. March 16, 2008
Immature is as immature does.

Holier than thou | 1:47 a.m. March 16, 2008
BYU fans are just as obnoxious... and please don't blame it on UNLV's home court. It's a tired excuse.
parkcity | 2:50 a.m. March 16, 2008
someone tell tavernari to stop shooting bad shots. which are like, i dont know, 75 percent of the ones he takes.
To Jobbed again | 4:43 a.m. March 16, 2008
We lost twice. Let's hold our head a bit higher and not blame the court. Re the melee, while self defense is good, acting with more class would have been better.
Whatever | 4:57 a.m. March 16, 2008
Whatever "Jobbed" - not every game can be played at home. Winning on the road is a true test of a teams talent. What do you think the NCAA tourney is - at home? Grow up.
mykejm | 5:07 a.m. March 16, 2008
(disclaimer: I'm a Utah fan)

Continuing to hold the MWC tournament in Vegas is further proof that the MWC "leadership" as its priorities completely screwed up. Money apparently comes before everything else.

Has the MWC made a single smart decision in the past five years? The past ten years? It's got to be the worst-run mid-major conference in the country.
UNLV 1990 NATL CHAMPS | 5:14 a.m. March 16, 2008
Quit your whining Cougs could have won if they had sucked it up in the second half. You got beat TWICE by UNLV get over it. Rebels barely won the first two games tournament games. Cougs easily cruised to the finals. Maybe if your city built some hotels and infrastructure to hold the tournament in Provo it would happen. Don't blame us because we got the world class facilities. We'd beat you on any neutral court too. I'm going to thoroughly enjoy watching the NCAA selection team shove BYU out somewhere East of the Mississippi River on Sunday! Hope you guys get knocked out in the first round again like last year. R-E-B-E-L-S!!!!
Twisted Priorities | 5:33 a.m. March 16, 2008
Since when did a few thousand extra people in attendance outweigh the need for fairness in the MWC Tournament? To have the conference tournament on the home floor of a perennial contender is absolutely ridiculous.

Once again, UNLV fans showed the level of their class.

Get real, Hair Thompson. Either stop having a conference tournament, or make fairness to all teams your number 1 priority.
Anonymous | 5:55 a.m. March 16, 2008
UNLV wins the tournament because it is on their own home floor. Same as last year. If this was played anywhere else there would have been a different outcome. It is time for the MWC to get some guts and put this tournament on a neutral floor like most of the other conferences do.
Jobbed Again?!? | 5:59 a.m. March 16, 2008
Look you guys lost...you got outplayed...got outworked. Don't make excuses, that's what losers do. BYU is a great team, but UNLV played hard and deserved that win! Good luck in the tourney!

Oh and about the UNLV fans...PLEASE don't throw all of us in the lot with the jerks that cause problems! Most of us are there to root on OUR team without causing trouble. Remember that BYU stormed the field in the Las Vegas bowl. So please don't make it out to be only us.

Enough with my ranting...good luck in the NCAA's and represent the MWC!
MWC Misguided | 6:23 a.m. March 16, 2008
It's not that the Tourney is in Las Vegas. It is that the Tourney is on the home floor of the UNLV Rebels. That is the problem and there in lays the entire problem. It creates a mentality among the UNLV fans that speaks ugly volumes. And so the after-game melee is not so much the drunken, ugly fans as it is the attitude and perspective that is had amongst the UNLV fans: "This is my court". This is my home. All the red coats worn by the ushers remind us all....you are at UNLV. It is the Rebel and UNLV hats worn by all the concessionaires that remind us all the same thing. The luxury boxes that are only sold to those who bought them for the regular UNLV home basketball season. In other words: This is not the MWC Basketball Tournament. This is nothing more than a misguided effort by the MWC to provide a UNLV Invitational that happens to include all the teams in the MWC. Note to CT and MWC, A MWC Tourney is not a UNLV Invitational. Second place does not deserve, nor earn, a second chance to have more home games.
Anonymous | 6:35 a.m. March 16, 2008
How is it so many athletics are played in Las Vegas...its about time to change that! Bad vibes exist there!
Tabbytiger | 6:45 a.m. March 16, 2008
Can you imagine the Mt. West finals in Provo for 5 years in a row? Or Salt Lake City? Or San Diego? Or why not Larime?

This is crazy. I doubt there is another post season tournament in the country that gives one team a home court for years in a row.


VA Cougar Fan | 6:51 a.m. March 16, 2008
There is always weight with home court advantage. If that were not so, why are so many schools now requesting "neutral courts" when doing their scheduling. You cannot take down the UNLV banners and say you took away the home court advantage. One more reason to say the MWC league officials have questionable leadership, at best.
Find another arena | 6:53 a.m. March 16, 2008
I'm all for the tourney being held in Vegas, but I think that it's criminal that the Rebels get to host it year in/out on their homecourt. Could you imagine the outcry and advantage that the Cougs would have if the tourney were held at the Marriott Center? As is, UNLV gets to have the comfort of their own dressing rooms, routine, court, etc. Wink Adams is lights out from Thomas & Mack, but you stick him in another arena and his isn't as proficient. Gives undue advantage to UNLV. Even if they moved it to one of the casinos or other arenas nearby, it would be more equitable.
Anonymous | 7:06 a.m. March 16, 2008
Dick:

I was at the game and was also disappointed by the actions of the fans after the game. There are too many people who think it makes them a part of the team by being on the floor when it really makes them look like idiots. However, this scene was very reminiscent of BYU fans on the Field at Sam Boyd Stadium after the last two Las Vegas bowls. To call the situation chaotic is an overstatement and reeks of sour grapes. What happened at the Thomas and Mack Center occurred at a dozen other arenas this week.

The root of the problem was the MWC decision to try and block fans from entering the court and preparing by removing rows of seats and blocking access. This was done after BYU fans complained about last years after game celebration. I am in no way excusing the actions of the fans, but the ugly actions would not have occurred had security personnell not physically responded to the immature fans trying to get their faces seen on the court.
What a Joke | 7:11 a.m. March 16, 2008
MWC Officals have got to be kidding. A lousy TV contract where nobody can see the games and a homer of a tournament where for 2 straight years the home team pulls out a victory and their crowd embarasses the league with fighting the visitors.

MWC - get a spine! Do something right.
No more Vegas Four Me | 7:24 a.m. March 16, 2008
I just got back from the tournament in Vegas with a real sour taste in my mouth for the idiot fans in that city. UNLV has a super classy coach, and I respect their players alot. But their fans, or should I say thugs are completely over the top. I have never seen such rude, drunken, immature, and bigotted acts by taken against fans from another school like I witnessed Saturday afternoon. It was all we could do to get out of T&M center in tact. I for one will never support an atheltic event in that city again. Shmae on you fans from UNLV.
Independent | 7:30 a.m. March 16, 2008
This is why byu needs to go independent. Then they could be nationally ranked and not have to play in these stupid tournament games and lose every year. They could play a cupcake schedule and enter the big dance as the #1 team in the country. Yeah, that's right #1. Because they really are the best team in the country and everyone knows it. That's why they didn't lose a game all year.
Tokyo | 7:37 a.m. March 16, 2008
Why does it have to be held at UNLV? Sounds unfair to do that every year. And the behavior of the fans certainly justifies doing it somewhere else. What happened to sportsmanship both on and off the court? A sad sad thing.
This is just sad.
mcczoo | 7:38 a.m. March 16, 2008
Exactly why the tournament needs to be moved or eliminated. It makes the MWC regular season meaningless. Oh for the love of money!!!!!
Time to fix it | 7:46 a.m. March 16, 2008
The tournament must be taken to a neutral site. San Franciso, LA, San Diego or even the Jazz arean ins SLC. I am afraid that money is more important to the schools than fairness or the welfare of the athletes and fans.
Re: Jobbed again | 7:51 a.m. March 16, 2008
Come on, homecourt gives you maybe 10 points. BYU lost by 15. What happened in the first half? BYU had a double digit lead, couldnt hold on, it has little to do with homecourt. Give some credit to the rebels. I am no BYU or UNLV fan (or Utah by the way) but BYU just got outplayed. There really was no free throw disparity, no foul disparity, just hard fought basketball and the best team in the MWC won.
Not UNLVs Home Court | 7:54 a.m. March 16, 2008
They took the logo off to add neutrality wasn't that enough? We know Vegas can't win this thing at a neutral site. Play it in the MC and BYU wins it every year or at least 8 or 9 out of 10. Get real Vegas fans you are given a gift each year.
What's the difference? | 7:56 a.m. March 16, 2008
BYU fans can be whiny, no question about it, but the abuse BYU players and fans take at opposing schools is unique. I've been to BYU games at Wyoming, UNLV, and Utah and all of these schools fans are hoodlums. That's why as a U of U alum I am a BYU season ticket holder.
Paul A | 8:05 a.m. March 16, 2008
If this game is played in Provo-- BYU is the tourney champ. If is is playewd in the Pitt, New Mexio takes it. And the same can be said for just about every other Mountain West school -- at least their probability goes way up. Why can't the tourney location be rotated between MWC schools?
One more reason | 7:59 a.m. March 16, 2008
for a neutral site. One more reason Craig Thompson is incompetent.
What Do You Get... | 8:20 a.m. March 16, 2008
when you play in Vegas? You get a taste of Vegas. Enough already. Let's go to San Diego and anyone who wants to squander their money can drop a few quarters as they pass through. Vegas may be a great place to relax and let your hair down, if you're that type, but UNLV fans and boosters have proven time and again that they do not understand sportsmanship. Time to move on.
Solution | 8:24 a.m. March 16, 2008
If the MWC officials were really interested in solving the problems with the hoodlums and thugs, they would contract with the local police to set up check points at the parking lot exits and arrest every driver that is intoxicated. Then the following year there would only be half as many hoodlums at the game because the others would still be in jail.
Richard | 8:19 a.m. March 16, 2008
BYU's program is back yet they always choke on the big games. They can't even win in the NCAA tornament. They will lose again this year like every other year. The football program isn't back yet either. They choke on the big games also. You think you have a big win of a 6 and 6 UCLA team? BYU was just very lucky thats all. BYU didn"t get jobbed. UNLV was the better team last night. They executed and played well when BYU didn't. Admit it you BYU homer.
Anonymous | 8:21 a.m. March 16, 2008
Time to Bring it the Delta Center again. I wonder if UNLV would like to play this even every year in the pit, or the Huntsman center, or the building that has the nations longes home winning streak? Time to move this thing, just not to Denver please!!!!
Brent Mikesell | 8:24 a.m. March 16, 2008
I was in CAli Colombia a few days ago near the stadium(?)where the riots occurred resulting in deaths,etc. While my Mormon brethren and I are more sedate in our celebration generally, overly passionate identification with athletic teams is a common human trait. It's in our collective blood. I can recall my own youthful desires to punch out persons associated with the rival squads(especially in a loss).

Ironically while watching the game on Versus here in SAcramento, the lights went out just after the guy won $66,000 for shoting 4 free throws baskets in halftime. Power was restored a couple hours later.
dartstock | 8:25 a.m. March 16, 2008
Send the Rebels to the Western Athletic Conference and replace them with either Boise State, Nevada or Fresno State.
Dave | 8:32 a.m. March 16, 2008
The team that wins the season out right should host the tourney.

UNLV is not all bad but many of there fans are, and always be hoodlums. In a town of hoodlums. Personal I will never attend a game in Las Vegas again after this mess.

MWC officials are a joke. Get real hold the tounery in Las Vegas only if UNLV ars the champions.
Fire Thompson | 8:39 a.m. March 16, 2008
Is it just me or does the MWC always make the wrong choices?

1-The mtn...need I say more

2-The league's "top" bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl, has to take the 5th place team from the Pac-10...who approved that one?

3-Even with the conference's so-called "partners" at CSTV and Versus, the conference still can't figure out how to get the conference's premiere (and probably only) rivalry BYU-Utah basketball game on anything other than the mtn. Why not?

4-Calling the conference's tournament in March hosted by UNLV anything other than the "Spring UNLV Invitational" is an insult to everyone's intelligence...who decided to give home court advantage to UNLV every year? Are there no other b-ball courts in Vegas? Is there no other way to approach this?

And that's just off the top of my head. Yet, with all of these debacles, why does "Commissioner" Thompson still have a job?

If you look at his background, he came from a small conference (the Sunbelt I think), and he thinks small. He has ZERO vision. The university presidents should hire a bright, up and coming executive from one of the major conferences and get rid of the small thinking Thompson.
Good reason to change venues | 8:44 a.m. March 16, 2008
I don't care how much people say it's good to to hold the MWC tourny at unlv, this is even more reason to permanently move it to another place. Nice way to show your true colors unlv fans, rushing the floor after being told not to and starting a beer-fueled brawl. Real classy, this is what unlv is all about apparently. I think it would be great for the MWC to penalize unlv for this by denying them entry to any post-season tournament this year (NCAA or NIT), but just watch, the MWC won't have the guts to do it.
BYU Fan | 8:45 a.m. March 16, 2008
I am a huge BYU fan but the excuses are futile. BYU lost and so be it. We lick our wounds and support them in the NCAA Tourney.
Ken | 8:45 a.m. March 16, 2008
This is reason enough to never allow UNLV to host the tournament again. There are plenty of other cities within the conference with enough hotel rooms and a large enough arena that it doesn't have to be at UNLV every time. That's if we need it at all. My vote would be to quit having a tournament. But if there has to be one, at least rotate the location every year.
Just say no | 8:45 a.m. March 16, 2008
BYU and Utah for that matter should just say no to the tournament. Let's take the regular season winner and call them the champ. This tournament is a farce. Even if it is played somewhere else it absolutely negates the importance of the regular season. If BYU and Utah said no the remainder of the league... with the exception of UNLV would follow suit. The way it is today is nuts. Go Cougs... BTW... Did I mention that we beat the Utes twice this year!
??? | 8:48 a.m. March 16, 2008
Not only would BYU have won on a neutral court, so would have TCU and Utah.
TrueBlueCoug | 9:02 a.m. March 16, 2008
To Whom it May Concern in the MWC Leadership: Is going to Las Vegas for "fun" really important enough to give one of the teams a "HOME COURT" advantage, especially when the home court fans are not muture enough or capable of handling it and understanding how fortunate they are to be able to play at home? You gave forgave them last year and gave them another chance this year and the proved they cannot handle it.

The game should be played in SLC at the Energy Solutions arena where neither of the TWO main universities close to the area play their home games. If that is not acceptable then take the tournament to Southern California (to a nuetral site from SDSU). Why is this so hard to understand? UNLV has NEVER shown any class over their history and they play their games in that arena. Is it that hard to figure out?

MWC leadership has once again proven their poor judgement and weak leadership. Why does BYU & Utah put up with it? It is hard to fathom.

Cougs, I hope you learned that at tournament time you need to play a full 40 minutes or one and done.


Scott | 9:05 a.m. March 16, 2008
I agree BYU needs to get out of this conference. Do what ever it takes. Go independent. If you do not make the NCAA tourney because of the teams that you play well then fine at least we do not have to go through all that they go through every year. It is time to quit turning the other cheek. BYU get no respect from fans, media, and other programs in this conference.
Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. March 16, 2008
BYU is a lot like the Utah Jazz. Despite 2 great years neither one can be taken seriously until they show the ability to win on the road. Now they are probably a 7-8 seed in the tourney, and my confidence they can finally win a tourney game just went down. Away from the Marriott center, or ESA, these teams are weak.
The MWC(WAC) is no where near it's former power. When BYU, Utah, New Mexico, UTEP, Wyoming were all much better than now.
BYU, make it to a sweet 15 and I'll take you seriously. Until then you're a nobody from a lousy conference.
Dan Evesen | 9:25 a.m. March 16, 2008
If these games weren't always played on UNLV's home floor, we wouldn't see incidents like this. Why does the Mountain West Conference persist in giving UNLV an unfair advantage?

On another note, did anybody else find the television coverage atrocious? First, the game was shown on Versus only, while the mtn. replayed the Air Force boxing championship for the umpteenth time. Second, the commentators were absolutely painful to listen to, and disrespectful to both teams. Finally, the camera work was horrendous. I don't think I've ever seen so many plays missed for pointless, slow-motion replays.

I'm really getting sick of the MWC. I'm thinking of taking my allegiance elsewhere.
Kevin Siffermann | 9:19 a.m. March 16, 2008
Did anyone whine and cry when BYU fans rushed the field during the Las Vegas Bowl last year. Who are you calling Hoodlums? Kind of hypocrictical dont you think?
B | 9:23 a.m. March 16, 2008
When is the MWC leadership going to wise up and stop putting this tournament in one team's backyard every year. Two years UNLV wins with home court advantage. Look at the reg season home/visitor records. Clearly this needs to be played on neutral ground or rotated.
SLC'er | 9:25 a.m. March 16, 2008
First - Mr. Harmon, the bias in this article is ridiculous. Look, I'm sure UNLV fans were out of line. But come on, these BYU fans were not simply sitting there and were accosted out of the blue. BYU fans have a reputation of acting self-righteous and being loud. A slightly less biased paper reports that a player's wife, Sarah Cummard, was throwing punches at UNLV fans. Why wasn't that reported? Absurd. Its too bad this fight happened, and UNLV fans should be ashamed as well, but BYU cannot simply say "other teams fans are 'hoodlums.'" Why is it that the only school who gets in fights at other teams stadiums is BYU? And lets not make a big deal about storming the court because BYU fans stomred the field at the Vegas Bowl too. Way to be sore losers.

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