Rebels look to bounce back from first loss

The undefeated run wasn’t going to last forever for UNLV, but it looked as if it may carry through the remainder of non-conference play.

That notion came crashing to a halt on Saturday when Kansas State made everything it threw up to hand the Rebels their first loss of the season.

Now, it’s time to bounce back.

UNLV faces three inferior opponents this week as it looks to start a new streak. That begins with a road game at Southern Utah in Cedar City tonight.

The Thunderbirds are just 3-7 on the season and their wins haven’t exactly come against upper-echelon teams.

Southern Utah has just one victory against a Division I opponent, a home win over McNeese State almost a month ago.

That makes tonight a perfect opportunity for the Rebels to get back on track.

Chace Stanback was back in the starting lineup, but Matt Shaw is at center instead of Brice Massamba.

Also, Kendall Wallace will start in place of Tre’Von Willis.

Short Trip

There are plenty of Rebel fans here at Centrum Arena well in advance of tip off.

This is actually the shortest possible road trip for the team to take as Southern Utah is the closest Division I team to Las Vegas.

You don’t even need Mapquest to get here.

The arena is just off I-15, so its just about impossible to get lost between Las Vegas and the Southern Utah campus.

Triple Threat

Being a fan of the great Kobayasi and having come to terms with the emergence of Joey Chestnut, I can say with conviction that I am a fan and student of impressive eating accomplishments.

But I challenge any human not currently competing on the competitive eating circuit to pull off what Review-Journal writer Matt Youmans did today in Cedar City.

The morning started off with a quick trip over to Dairy Queen.

After being cautioned by my warning of the temperature being too cold for ice cream, he responded by essentially calling me an idiot.

“They have really good food there,” he said in a mocking tone. “It’s not just ice cream.”

Still, he had an ice cream sundae after polishing off a hot dog.

Less than an hour later, we were at a table at the local fine dining establishment otherwise known as Sizzler.

I had quite a surreal experience there, but more on that later.

Before you read this line, remember this: The following sentence is not exaggerated or embellished in the least.

We spent over two-and-a-half hours at Sizzler.

Granted, most of the time was spent working. But most people don’t spend that much of their lifetime in Sizzler.

The purpose of the extended lunch was to kill time until the arena doors opened, which was fast approaching.

So it was on to campus for the game…after one quick stop.

He actually had to stop at Taco Time where he not only had a taco, but giddily exclaimed that the second-rate taco stand was actually selling bottles of their sauce.

Of course, he bought one.

I wish that were the end, but there was actually pizza in the media center before the game that he dipped into immediately upon entering the building.

Absolutely unreal.

For more on his eating adventures, do yourself a favor and google “Matt Youmans McRib.” Trust me, it’s worth the read.

To be fair, he did also spend some time in the fitness center at the hotel this morning.

I will try to find out if the fitness center at the Holiday Inn was actually being used to serve continental breakfast or if he actually used the equipment.

Surreal Experience

I am a college basketball junkie and have been for nearly my entire life.

I used to watch Hawaii basketball games late night on ESPN and was always a fan of the Riley Wallace-coached team.

All the times that I watched them play on television, however, I never once imagined running into him at the Sizzler in Cedar City , Utah.

It happened today, though.

Of course, Riley was in town to watch his nephew, UNLV”s Kendall Wallace