LAS VEGAS -- The WAC's final four wouldn't draw a curtain call on Broadway, but here in Glitter Gulch, this bawdy lounge act is the toast of the town. A fitting final four
in WAC tournamentFirst, Tulsa handed Jerry Tarkanian his most embarrassing loss at the Thomas & Mack Center, then talented Utah hit the stage long enough to beat on rival BYU for a third time.
The real drama was found, however, during the evening double dip, where fortunes were won and lost on one rock going in and another rocking out. The results are New Mexico continues to keep its balance on the NCAA beam, while the UNLV Rebels fell off theirs.
Of the four remaining, only Utah and Tulsa are sure bets to be in Sunday's NCAA Tournament 64-team field. The Golden Hurricane could further their cause by beating the Utes later today. But with an RPI rating in the low 30s and a 22-win season already secured, Tulsa head coach Bill Self believes he'll hear his name called come Sunday.
You would think New Mexico also has earned a berth. Yes, the Lobos' RPI rating is below radar. But they are not only a steady resident of the top 25, New Mexico athletic director Rudy Davalos serves on the NCAA selection committee.
THE Mustangs kept the hosting Rebels from earning a slot in the semifinals by holding on to a 71-70 victory. A year ago, UNLV ran the table and earned the league's automatic bid. This time around, the Rebels were fortune's fool.
SMU could also make things difficult for New Mexico. Lose to the Mustangs and the Lobos may have to push hard for an at-large selection, especially if SMU rides away with the automatic bid.
''I strongly believe the WAC will get at least two bids and possibly three,'' league commissioner Karl Benson said. ''We deserve three. There are some quality teams in this league.''
Several of them will be relegated to the postseason NIT. The leading offenders are Fresno State, UNLV and TCU. All came here with higher expectations and aren't a comfortable fit in this also-ran event.
Tulsa avoided this fate by running Fresno State clean out of town. Tarkanian hasn't seen that many layups since his national championship victory over Duke nearly a decade ago.
It has set up intriguing matchups between two teams from the future Mountain West Conference and two from the new WAC. All week, the harsh discords of civil unrest have been evident.
LOOK for tonight's games to have that little extra intensity that comes with bragging rights. Yes, everyone knows Utah is the class act of the field. But Tulsa is a well-kept secret that's about to get out.
Those fortunate enough to see the Golden Hurricane last December in a Pearl Harbor Classic game with the highly-rated Spartans of Michigan State knew this was a good team in the making.
''We formed a bond in Hawaii,'' Self said. ''We got close there because it was early in the season and we were so far from home. After the (68-58) loss, we knew we had a chance to be good. I'm not sure Michigan State was the same team it is now, but we were right with them until the very end.''
Unfortunately, the end is near for the 16-team league. All week, talk has centered on the comings and goings of those involved. This is the last time all the athletic directors and presidents will be in one place. Anger and apprehension are the emotions of the day.
''I think you're going to see two highly charged games on the men's side,'' Benson said. ''Everyone knows what's at stake. It's fitting that it comes down to this.''
Yes, it is. Granted, the WAC's final four may not produce any show tunes worthy of review in the New York Times. But tonight's games promise to provide plenty of entertainment for those fortunate enough to hold a ticket.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.