Ayrton Oneill
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are the men's basketball team representing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the Mountain West Conference of the NCAA. The team has a rich history, having become a basketball powerhouse in the late 1970s under the leadership of coach Jerry Tarkanian, who led them to the NCAA Division I tournament Championship in 1990. The Rebels have had a successful record in recent years, with a 21-13 overall record in the 2023-24 season and a 12-6 record in the Mountain West Conference, placing them 4th. With a history of strong performances and a dedicated fan base, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels are a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Runnin' Rebels |
| University | University of Nevada, Las Vegas |
| Conference | Mountain West Conference |
| 2023-24 Record | 21-13 Overall, 12-6 Mountain West, 4th |
| NCAA Tournament Record | 33-19, 63.5% winning percentage |
| All-Time Winning Percentage | 7th highest in Division I history (.687) |
| NCAA Championship | 1990 |
| Final Four Appearances | 4 (1977, 1987, 1990, 1991) |
| Head Coaches | 16 (Jerry Tarkanian, Rollie Massimino, Lon Kruger, etc.) |
| Arena | Thomas & Mack Center (18,500 seats) |
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What You'll Learn
- The UNLV Runnin' Rebels have a rich history in basketball, becoming a powerhouse in the late 1970s
- Jerry Tarkanian, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, led the team to success in the 1970s and 1990s
- Tarkanian's resignation in 1992 followed a ban from television and the postseason in 1991-92
- The team plays at the Thomas & Mack Center, an 18,000-seat arena on campus
- As of 2023, UNLV has a high winning percentage in Division I history
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels have a rich history in basketball, becoming a powerhouse in the late 1970s
The Runnin' Rebels' history can be traced back to the 1958–59 season, when they played their home games at the Dula Memorial Gymnasium. In 1960, they moved to the NSU Gymnasium on campus, where they played for six seasons before relocating to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The team was often referred to as "Tumbleweed Tech" due to its relative obscurity before becoming a prominent force in college basketball.
The turning point for the Runnin' Rebels came in 1973 when they hired Jerry Tarkanian as head coach. Tarkanian's impact was immediate, and in 1977, just seven years after joining Division I, the Rebels made the Final Four with a squad nicknamed the "Hardway Eight". Although they lost to North Carolina in the first of four Final Four appearances, it marked the beginning of a successful era for the team. Tarkanian was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his achievements, which included leading UNLV to the NCAA Division I tournament Championship in 1990.
Under Tarkanian's leadership, the Runnin' Rebels became a dominant force in college basketball during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. They consistently performed well in the NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four in 1977, 1987, 1990, and 1991. In 1990, the team won the NCAA Championship by defeating Duke with a record-setting margin of 103–73, becoming the only team in history to score over 100 points in the championship game. This victory solidified their status as a powerhouse in college basketball.
The Runnin' Rebels have had a total of 16 head coaches throughout their history, with 14 of them having winning records. The team has continued to achieve success in recent years, with a high winning percentage in Division I history as of 2023. The program was ranked as the eighth most prestigious collegiate basketball program in the nation by ESPNU in 2008, showcasing the lasting impact of their transformation from "Tumbleweed Tech" to a basketball powerhouse.
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Jerry Tarkanian, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, led the team to success in the 1970s and 1990s
Jerry Tarkanian, affectionately known as "Tark the Shark", transformed the UNLV Runnin' Rebels from a small commuter college basketball team into a national powerhouse. Tarkanian was hired as head coach in 1973, and his success was immediate. In 1977, just four years after his appointment, the Rebels made the Final Four with a squad nicknamed the "Hardway Eight". They lost to North Carolina by a single point, but it was the first of four Final Four appearances for the Rebels.
Tarkanian's teams changed the style and image of college basketball. He implemented a pressing defense to fuel a fast-paced offense, and he made his players the stars of the show. Tarkanian also dared to start a predominantly Black lineup, which was rare for the time. His success at UNLV paved the way for other successful mid-major teams. Demand for UNLV merchandise grew across the nation, and tickets to games became hot items, with celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, and Don Rickles in attendance.
Tarkanian's success continued into the 1990s. In 1990, the Runnin' Rebels won the NCAA Championship, beating Duke by a record-setting margin of 103–73. They became the first and only team to score over 100 points in a championship game. However, the NCAA banned UNLV from defending their title in 1991, and Tarkanian was forced to resign by UNLV president Robert Maxson in 1992.
Over his career, Tarkanian won over 700 games and only twice failed to win 20 games in a season. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 in recognition of his significant career highlights as a basketball coach.
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Tarkanian's resignation in 1992 followed a ban from television and the postseason in 1991-92
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are the men's basketball team representing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the Mountain West Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As of 2023, the team has the seventh-highest winning percentage (.687) in Division I history.
Jerry Tarkanian, who was hired as the head coach of the Runnin' Rebels in 1973, led the team to the NCAA Division I tournament Championship in 1990. However, Tarkanian had a contentious relationship with the NCAA, with the organization repeatedly investigating him for allegedly offering payments or other benefits to players. Tarkanian denied these allegations and accused the NCAA of favoring established programs over smaller schools.
In 1991, the Runnin' Rebels were banned from television and the postseason as a penalty for infractions by the program. Tarkanian had announced his resignation in June 1991, stating that he would coach for one more season. However, in February 1992, he rescinded his resignation due to continuing problems with his program.
Ultimately, Tarkanian was forced to resign by UNLV president Robert Maxson in 1992. Tarkanian's resignation came after a long-running battle with the NCAA, which had taken a toll on him and his family. He received a $2.5 million out-of-court settlement in 1998 when he sued the NCAA for violations stemming from its investigation of UNLV.
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The team plays at the Thomas & Mack Center, an 18,000-seat arena on campus
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are the men's basketball team representing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the Mountain West Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team plays at the Thomas & Mack Center, an 18,000-seat arena on campus.
The Thomas & Mack Center has a rich history. When the team first started, they played at a municipal gym in downtown Las Vegas. They later moved to the Nevada Southern Gym, now the Marjorie Barrick Museum. In 1983, the Runnin' Rebels moved to the Thomas & Mack Center, an on-campus arena with 18,500 seats. The arena is famous for its extravagance, with red seats and luxury suites. Nevada and Southern California regularly televised games played at the Thomas & Mack Center, with Los Angeles radio icons Chick Hearn and Ross Porter commentating.
The Runnin' Rebels program has had 16 head coaches throughout its history, with 14 of those coaches having winning records at UNLV. The team's success began with Jerry Tarkanian, who was hired in 1973. Tarkanian led the team to the Final Four in 1977, their first of four appearances. In 1990, the Runnin' Rebels won the NCAA Championship, beating Duke by a record-setting margin of 103-73. They became the first and only team to score over 100 points in an NCAA Championship game.
Tarkanian's success with the Runnin' Rebels led to his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. However, his time at UNLV was not without controversy, as he was repeatedly investigated for allegedly offering improper benefits to players. Tarkanian denied these allegations, and in 1992, he sued the NCAA for violations stemming from its investigation of UNLV, receiving a $2.5 million out-of-court settlement in 1998.
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As of 2023, UNLV has a high winning percentage in Division I history
As of 2023, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels have the seventh-highest winning percentage (.687) in Division I history. The Rebels represent the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the Mountain West Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). They play at the Thomas & Mack Center, an 18,500-seat arena on campus, which is known for its extravagance and has become an iconic symbol of the team's success.
The Runnin' Rebels have a rich history in collegiate basketball, with 16 head coaches throughout their history, 14 of whom have winning records at UNLV. The team's success began in the late 1970s under the leadership of head coach Jerry Tarkanian, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1977, just seven years after joining Division I, the Rebels made the Final Four, losing narrowly to North Carolina. This was the first of four Final Four appearances for the Rebels.
UNLV continued to build on its success, and in 1983, they moved to the Thomas & Mack Center, solidifying their presence as a basketball powerhouse. Tarkanian's squads were known for their dynamic and fast-paced style of play, which led to their dominance on the court. In 1990, the Runnin' Rebels won the NCAA Championship, defeating Duke by a record-breaking margin of 103-73. This victory cemented UNLV's place in collegiate basketball history as the first and only team to score over 100 points in a championship game.
The Rebels' success has extended beyond their championship wins. They have consistently performed well in conference play, leading their all-time series with BYU with back-to-back wins in the MWC tournament championship games in 2007 and 2008. The rivalry between UNLV and other prominent programs, such as SDSU, has added to the team's reputation and intensity on the court. As of 2023, UNLV holds a 33-19 record in the NCAA tournament, with a winning percentage of 63.5%.
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels' success on the court, combined with their high winning percentage in Division I history, showcases their prowess and impact in collegiate basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team has a history of success, winning the NCAA Championship in 1990 and making it to the Final Four on four occasions (1977, 1987, 1990, and 1991). As of 2023, they have the seventh-highest winning percentage (.687) in Division I history.
Jerry Tarkanian, who led the team to their NCAA Championship in 1990, is a notable figure in the team's history. Tarkanian was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and achieved a 509–105 record in 19 years as head coach. Other notable coaches include Rollie Massimino and Lon Kruger, who are members of the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Runnin' Rebels play their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center, an 18,000-18,500 seat arena on the UNLV campus.
