1989–90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team

The 1989–90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team represented the University of Nevada Las Vegas in the 1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They were led by 17th-year head coach Jerry Tarkanian. The team played its home games in the Thomas & Mack Center as a member of the Big West Conference. They finished the season 35–5, 16–2 in Big West play to win the regular season championship. They defeated Cal State Fullerton, Pacific, and Long Beach State to win the Big West Tournament championship. As a result, the received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the West region. They defeated Arkansas–Little Rock, Ohio State, Ball State, and Loyola Marymount to advance to the school's first Final Four since 1987. In the Final Four, they defeated Georgia Tech to advance to the championship game where they defeated Duke for the school's only national championship.

1989–90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
NCAA Tournament National Champions
Big West Tournament champions
Big West regular season co-champions
ConferenceBig West Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
APNo. 2
1989–90 record35–5 (16–2 Big West)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaThomas & Mack Center
1989–90 Big West men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 2 UNLV†16–2 .88935–5  .875
No. 24 New Mexico State16–2 .88926–5  .839
UC Santa Barbara13–5 .72221–9  .700
Long Beach State12–6 .66723–9  .719
Utah State8–10 .44414–16  .467
Pacific7–11 .38915–14  .517
Cal State Fullerton6–12 .33313–16  .448
San Jose State5–13 .2788–20  .286
Fresno State4–14 .22210–19  .345
UC Irvine3–15 .1675–23  .179
† 1990 Big West Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The team was the last (as of 2022) outside of a major conference to win the national championship.

Previous season

The Rebels finished the 1988–89 season 25–8, 16–2 in Big West play to win the regular season championship. They defeated UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, and New Mexico State to win the Big West Tournament championship. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the West region. They defeated Idaho, DePaul, and No. 1-seeded Arizona to advance to the Elite Eight where they lost to Seton Hall.

Season summary

NCAA Tournament

UNLV won three of its tournament games by 30 points, but got a scare from Ball State in the regional semifinal, winning by just two points.

In the 1990 Tournament -

  • UNLV's 103–73 win over Duke marked the first, (and to date, only), time in the history of the tournament that at least 100 points were scored in the championship game.[1]
  • UNLV’s 571 points over six games set the record for most points scored by a single team in any one year of the tournament.
  • UNLV is the only team in tournament history to average more than 95 points per game. In six tournament games, they won three by exactly 30 points, while scoring more than 100 points in each 30-point victory.[2]
  • UNLV’s 30-point margin of victory in the championship game is also a tournament record.[3]
  • To date, UNLV remains the last team from a non-power conference (AAC, ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) to win the national championship; and the only one since 1977.[4]
  • The championship game was UNLV’s eleventh-consecutive win. They would eventually run the win streak to an astounding 45 games. That is the fourth-longest win streak in NCAA Division 1 basketball history, and the longest win streak since the longest one ever (by UCLA) ended in 1974.[5]


(The nickname "Runnin' Rebels" is unique to men's basketball at UNLV. The default nickname for men's sports teams at the school is simply "Rebels", while all women's teams are known as "Lady Rebels".)

Roster
1989–90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearHometown
C 00 David Butler 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)200 lb (91 kg) Sr Washington, D.C.
F 4 Larry Johnson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)250 lb (113 kg) Jr Dallas, Texas
G 5 Stacey Cvijanovich 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg) Sr Oxnard, California
G 12 Anderson Hunt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)176 lb (80 kg) So Detroit, Michigan
G 13 Travis Bice 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)152 lb (69 kg) So Simi Valley, California
G 15 Bryan Emerzian 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)165 lb (75 kg) So Waukegan, Illinois
G 30 Dave Rice 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg) Jr Claremont, California
F 32 Stacey Augmon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)206 lb (93 kg) Jr Pasadena, California
F 33 Barry Young 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)223 lb (101 kg) Jr Ellicott City, Maryland
C 34 James Jones 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg) Sr Cincinnati, Ohio
F 35 Moses Scurry 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) Sr Brooklyn, New York
F/C 44 George Ackles  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
G 50 Greg Anthony 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) Jr Las Vegas, Nevada
F 53 Chris Jeter 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)216 lb (98 kg) Jr San Diego, California
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

[6]

Schedule and results
Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Regular Season
Nov 15, 1989*
 No. 1 Loyola Marymount
Preseason NIT		 W 102–91[7]  1–0
  26 – Hunt  16 – Johnson  12 – Anthony  Thomas & Mack Center (13,430)
Las Vegas, NV
Nov 16, 1989*
 No. 1 California
Preseason NIT		 W 101–81[8]  2–0
    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center (11,777)
Las Vegas, NV
Nov 22, 1989*
 No. 1 vs. Kansas
Preseason NIT Semifinal		 L 77–91  2–1
  21 – Hunt  9 – Augmon,
Johnson 		 9 – Anthony  Madison Square Garden (10,546)
New York, NY
Nov 24, 1989*
 No. 1 vs. DePaul
Preseason NIT Consolation		 W 88–53[9]  3–1
  32 – Johnson    –      –    Madison Square Garden 
New York, NY
Dec 9, 1989*
 No. 5 at No. 12 Oklahoma L 81–89[10]  3–2
    –      –      –    Lloyd Noble Center (11,700)
Norman, OK
Dec 16, 1989
 No. 14 at Pacific W 79–65  4–2
(1–0)		    –      –      –    Alex G. Spanos Center 
Stockton, CA
Dec 23, 1989*
 No. 13 No. 16 Iowa W 97–80  5–2
    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Dec 26, 1989
 No. 12 at Long Beach State W 78–58  6–2
(2–0)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 1, 1990*
 No. 12 No. 11 Arkansas W 101–93  7–2
  28 – Hunt  13 – Butler    –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 3, 1990
 No. 10 Cal State Fullerton W 94–66  8–2
(3–0)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 6, 1990
 No. 10 at San Jose State W 100–80  9–2
(4–0)		    –      –      –    Event Center Arena 
San Jose, CA
Jan 8, 1990
 No. 10 at New Mexico State L 82–83  9–3
(4–1)		    –      –      –    Pan American Center 
Las Cruces, NM
Jan 13, 1990*
 No. 7 at Temple W 82–76  10–3
    –      –      –    McGonigle Hall 
Philadelphia, PA
Jan 15, 1990
 No. 7 at Fresno State W 84–75  11–3
(5–1)		    –      –      –    Selland Arena 
Fresno, CA
Jan 18, 1990
 No. 9 UC Irvine W 103–67  12–3
(6–1)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 22, 1990
 No. 9 at Long Beach State W 86–77  13–3
(7–1)		    –      –      –    Gold Mine 
Long Beach, CA
Jan 25, 1990
 No. 5 UC Santa Barbara W 69–67  14–3
(8–1)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 28, 1990*
 No. 5 at No. 16 LSU L 105–107[11]  14–4
  31 – Hunt    –      –    Maravich Assembly Center 
Baton Rouge, LA
Feb 1, 1990
 No. 12 Utah State W 124–90  15–4
(9–1)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 3, 1990*
 No. 12 NC State W 88–82[12][13]  16–4
  24 – Johnson  16 – Johnson    –    Thomas & Mack Center (18,295)
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 5, 1990*
 No. 12 San Jose State W 105–69  17–4
(10–1)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 8, 1990*
 No. 9 Pacific W 116–76  18–4
(11–1)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 10, 1990*
 No. 9 Oklahoma State W 100–84  19–4
    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 12, 1990
 No. 9 Fresno State W 69–64  20–4
(12–1)		    –      –      –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 15, 1990
 No. 7 No. 25 New Mexico State W 109–86[14]  21–4
(13–1)		  31 – Hunt  13 – Johnson  6 – Anthony  Thomas & Mack Center (18,790)
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 18, 1990*
 No. 7 No. 20 Arizona W 95–87[15]  22–4
  26 – Johnson  12 – Augmon    –    Thomas & Mack Center 
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 22, 1990
 No. 4 at UC Irvine W 99–77  23–4
(14–1)		    –      –      –    Bren Events Center 
Irvine, CA
Feb 24, 1990*
 No. 4 No. 16 Louisville W 91–81[16]  24–4
  22 – Johnson  15 – Johnson    –    Thomas & Mack Center (19,099)
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 26, 1990
 No. 4 at UC Santa Barbara L 70–78  24–5
(14–2)		    –      –      –    The Thunderdome 
Santa Barbara, CA
Mar 1, 1990
 No. 2 at Utah State W 84–82  25–5
(15–2)		    –      –      –    Smith Spectrum 
Logan, UT
Mar 3, 1990
 No. 2 at Cal State Fullerton W 103–85  26–5
(16–2)		    –      –      –    Titan Gym 
Fullerton, CA
Big West Tournament
Mar 8, 1990*
 (2) No. 3 (7) Cal State Fullerton
Quarterfinals		 W 115–93  27–5
    –      –      –    Long Beach Arena 
Long Beach, CA
Mar 9, 1990*
 (2) No. 3 (6) Pacific
Semifinals		 W 99–72  28–5
    –      –      –    Long Beach Arena 
Long Beach, CA
Mar 10, 1990*
 (2) No. 3 (5) Long Beach State
Championship		 W 92–74  29–5
    –      –      –    Long Beach Arena 
Long Beach, CA
NCAA Tournament
Mar 15, 1990*
 CBS		 (1 W) No. 2 vs. (16 W) Arkansas–Little Rock
First Round		 W 102–72[17]  30–5
  16 – Augmon  12 – Johnson  5 – Bice,
Cvijanovich 		 Jon M. Huntsman Center 
Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 17, 1990*
 CBS		 (1 W) No. 2 vs. (8 W) Ohio State
Second Round		 W 76–65[18]  31–5
  23 – Johnson  16 – Johnson  5 – Anthony  Jon M. Huntsman Center 
Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 23, 1990*
 CBS		 (1 W) No. 2 vs. (12 W) Ball State
Sweet Sixteen		 W 69–67[19][20]  32–5
  20 – Augmon,
Johnson 		 13 – Johnson  9 – Anthony  Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 
Oakland, CA
Mar 25, 1990*
 CBS		 (1 W) No. 2 vs. (11 W) No. 21 Loyola Marymount
Elite Eight		 W 131–101[21][22]  33–5
  33 – Augmon  18 – Johnson  13 – Hunt  Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena (14,298)
Oakland, CA
Mar 31, 1990*
 CBS		 (1 W) No. 2 vs. (4 SE) No. 9 Georgia Tech
Final Four		 W 90–81[23]  34–5
  22 – Augmon  10 – Butler  7 – Hunt  McNichols Sports Arena 
Denver, CO
Apr 2, 1990*
 CBS		 (1 W) No. 2 vs. (3 E) No. 9 Duke
National Championship		 W 103–73[24][25][26][27]  35–5
  29 – Hunt  11 – Johnson  7 – Augmon  McNichols Sports Arena (17,675)
Denver, CO
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.

Sources [28]

Rankings
Main article: 1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings

Awards and honors

Team players drafted into the NBA
YearRoundPickPlayerNBA Club
199111Larry JohnsonCharlotte Hornets
199119Stacey AugmonAtlanta Hawks
1991112Greg AnthonyNew York Knicks
1991229George AcklesMiami Heat

[30]

References
  1. "Which is the only basketball team to have scored over 100 points in a NCAA championship game?". 6 April 2017.
  2. https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/bracketiq/2021-02-22/highest-scoring-march-madness-games-ncaa-tournament-history
  3. "March Madness History".
  4. "Which is the only basketball team to have scored over 100 points in a NCAA championship game?". 6 April 2017.
  5. https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2020-01-19/longest-winning-streaks-college-basketball-history
  6. "1990 NCAA Final Four program". March 1990. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  7. "No. 1 Rebels overcome Marymount". Las Vegas Sun. November 16, 1989. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  8. "Rebels take their show to the big city". Las Vegas Sun. November 18, 1989. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  9. "Rebels rise to the occasion". Las Vegas Sun. November 25, 1989. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  10. "Stormin' in Norman: Sooners win 89-81". Las Vegas Sun. December 10, 1989. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  11. "LSU 107, UNLV 105". United Press International. January 28, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  12. "Rebels beat Wolfpack at own game". Las Vegas Sun. February 3, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  13. "Rebels Forget Their Troubles, 88-82". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  14. "Aggies trail the Hunt, 109-86". Las Vegas Sun. February 15, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  15. "Order on the court: Rebels win 95-87". Las Vegas Sun. February 18, 1990. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  16. "Rebels don't get mad at Louisville, just even". Las Vegas Sun. February 24, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  17. "UNLV 102, Arkansas-Little Rock 72". United Press International. March 15, 1990. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  18. "UNLV 76, Ohio St. 65". United Press International. March 17, 1990. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  19. "Rebels take the bounce out of Ball State, 69-67". Las Vegas Sun. March 23, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  20. "U.N.L.V. Repels Ball State Rally, 69-67". The New York Times. March 24, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  21. "Rebels roll to Final Four". Las Vegas Sun. March 25, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  22. "Augmon Is Main Man for the Rebels". Los Angeles Times. March 26, 1990. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  23. "UNLV Escapes Foul End, Downs Georgia Tech". The Washington Post. April 1, 1990. p. B1. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  24. "Rebels rule NCAA". Las Vegas Sun. April 3, 1990. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  25. "UNLV Takes Title Running Away". The Washington Post. April 3, 1990. p. B1. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  26. "Nevada-Las Vegas 103, Duke 73". United Press International. April 2, 1990. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  27. "U.N.L.V. Applies a Defensive Clamp and It Works". The New York Times. April 3, 1990. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  28. "RotoWire Fantasy Football, Baseball, Basketball and More".
  29. "Final Four Most Outstanding Players". cbs.sportsline.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
  30. "1991 NBA Draft". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
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