THINGS haven't been the same around here since Fresno State's Terrance Roberson drained that 3-pointer 48 weeks ago. ’Bows could bite
back at BulldogsThat shot secured a trip to the Final Four of the NIT for the Bulldogs and sent the Rainbows tumbling to one of the worst about-faces in NCAA history. It's not often a team has a 20-win season one campaign and loses 20 the next, but barring an unexpected victory over Fresno State tomorrow night, that's exactly where Hawaii is headed.
The Rainbows have won only six times since Jerry Tarkanian's much-maligned crew stole one in Honolulu last March. Riley Wallace was poised to take a bite out of the Big Apple, only to have it snatched from his hand.
The UH head coach would like nothing better than to overturn Tarkanian's apple cart tomorrow night. The Bulldogs still have an NCAA bid in mind, and can't afford to stumble and fall here.
Entering next week's WAC tournament in Las Vegas, the Bulldogs are one of those fringe teams on the outside looking in. The only sure way for Fresno State to land an NCAA invitation is to win it all.
Anything short of that and it could get interesting for the 19-10 Bulldogs, who hurt their cause by losing to Utah at home a week ago.
THE No. 12-ranked Utes will be invited regardless how well they perform next week. New Mexico would improve its chances with a win at Utah tomorrow, but even so, the No. 21 Lobos will probably be selected by the committee.
There are several teams vying for a third bid that may not come open since the WAC is rated last among the 10 major conferences.
A case could be made for Fresno State, Tulsa, TCU, UNLV and even Rice. How well those teams do in next week's conference tournament could be the deciding factor.
There also is the war between the two future conferences to consider. Granted, the newly formed Mountain West has the two best bets in Utah and New Mexico.
But the other six teams aren't faring as well. While seven of the eight remaining WAC members will likely be in Las Vegas, only five of the departing schools will probably make the trip.
"I think the intensity level will be very high," WAC commissioner Karl Benson predicted. "The teams in the WAC will be sky high against the ones leaving our league. Everybody has something to prove for not only this year, but future seasons down the road."
It's unfortunate Hawaii is the only WAC holdover not headed to Glitter Gulch. Last night's come-from-behind win over San Jose State only adds to the frustration of what this team might have done had turnovers and poor perimeter play not ruled the day.
Wallace promises a better tomorrow. He will need to stand and deliver, especially if Hawaii is selected to host the WAC Tournament next year.
THERE are difficult days ahead. Everyone left behind in the WAC has to play well in order to survive the departure of the eight Mountain West Conference teams.
The new league already has a long-term television contract in place with ESPN to showcase football and basketball. The conference has the marquee teams in football -- BYU, Colorado State and Air Force -- and the top trio in basketball -- Utah, New Mexico and UNLV.
"There's no question that this week's tournament is a proving ground for both leagues," Benson said. "At this point, we're a conference in name only. The battle lines have been drawn."
A week from now, Fresno State figures to be in the middle of this fray. The Bulldogs have played better of late. They are a dangerous opponent in search of an elusive NCAA bid.
Fresno State put a dagger in Hawaii's heart by denying the Rainbows a trip to New York City last March. Perhaps Wallace and his four departing seniors can return the favor tomorrow night.
Granted, it's not a lot. But it could be enough to deliver a brighter tomorrow for a team in desperate need of one.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.