Games 714-716: Saturday tripleheader

716 - San Diego State at UNLV
February 23 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
ESPNU

715 - Loyola (Maryland) at Boston
February 23 at Case Gym in Boston, MA
Patriot League Network

714 - Georgia State at Coastal Carolina
February 23 at HTC Center in Conway, SC
ESPN +

Other games watched:

Eastern Illinois women at Tennessee State
SIU Edwardsville at Belmont

Game 651: Christmas special

UNLV vs. Bucknell
December 25 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI
ESPNU

A dominant performance from Bucknell in the third-place game of the Diamond Head Classic as the Bison hit 14 three-pointers (and shot 56%) and rolled to a 97-72 victory.

Six different players were in double figures for Bucknell (6-6), led by Kimbal Mackenzie's 16 points. Jimmy Sotos handed out a tournament-record 12 assists (Bucknell had 26 assists on 37 made baskets).

UNLV made its first 3-pointer of the night, then missed its next 19, and was never really in the game after halftime. Bucknell led by as many as 36 on a Sotos-assisted lay-in that turned into a three-point play from Mackenzie at the 6:16 mark.

"dribble drive"  !

Great job by LaPhonso Ellis for getting in a quick "dribble drive", just 3:58 into the game.

That's Ellis' first appearance on our list.

Games 648-650: Weekend tripleheader

650- Indiana State vs. UNLV
December 23 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI
ESPN2

Jordan Barnes didn't attempt a shot until 7 1/2 minutes remained in the first half, yet finished with 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting in Indiana State's 84-79 win in the semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic.

The Sycamores (8-3), who will play either Bucknell or TCU in the final Christmas Day, have an excellent trio in Barnes, wing Tyreke Key (16 points) and 6-9, 255-pound post player Emondre Rickman (13 points, 6-of-9 FG). ISU, which came in leading the country in three-point shooting, hit 41% of their long-range shots Sunday, but took just 12 from behind the arc and had a surprisingly-huge night in the post thanks to players like Rickman.

The Sycamores look like a definite contender in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Nice nights for sophomore Amauri Hardy - 22 points on 7-of-11 from the field - and freshman Joel Ntambwe (21 points, 15 rebounds) in a losing effort for UNLV.

649 - William & Mary at Virginia
December 22 at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA
ACC Network

Other games watched:

Texas State at Arkansas
Winthrop at Southern Illinois


648 - Idaho at Santa Clara
December 21 at Leavey Center in Santa Clara, CA
wccsports.com

Nonsense

"went in amongst the trees"
"it's a foul fest"
"fundamental footwork"
"rainbow three"
"ladies and gentleman, see the Vandals run"
"he's a stretch three"
"trap game"
"the cozy confines of the Leavey Center"
"a cardinal basketball sin"

Game 250 - UNLV at New Mexico

January 10 at The Pit in Albuquerque, NM
espn3.com

UNLV won 71-66 and award-winning photographer Bobby Feathers provided some screen shots:

Game 120 - San Jose State at UNLV

February 10 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
espn3.com

UNLV trailed 50-39 about midway through the second half and looked headed for a loss, but the Rebels went up for good on a pair of free throws by Jerome Seagears at the 1:21 mark and escaped with a 64-61 win.

But what's really important is the first edition of What Was That, Blaine Fowler?

Blaine:

"He can throw it down any way but loose!"


* Overall, a great night for Basketball Phrases/general nonsense from both Fowler and play-by-play man Trey Bender:

"Injury bug"
"Glue guy"
"There's a teaching moment"
"Special talent"
"Muscle attitude"
"Sense of urgency" (said five times)
"Recipe for success"
"The bank is open"
"Dog fight"
"Heady play"
"Active feet"
"Heartbreak hotel for UNLV"