April 3, 2007
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Athletics Department will hold a Sweet 16 Celebration for its men's basketball team on Monday, April 9 at Cox Pavilion. The event will be a chance for UNLV to thank its fans for their tremendous support this season and will also be an opportunity for fans to honor this year's team for its run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.
The event, which is free and open to season ticket holders, Rebel Athletic Fund members, sponsors, UNLV students and the general public, will begin at 6 p.m. Doors to the Cox Pavilion will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event is scheduled until 8:30 p.m.
Fans will have a chance to shoot baskets with the team, mingle, take pictures and get autographs. People are encouraged to bring whatever items they would like to have autographed.
"Led by our five seniors, this year's team was a special group that focused in practice every day and continued to make progress from start to finish," head coach Lon Kruger said. "It was a team that was very easy to cheer for and fun to watch. Our fan support was outstanding and a major reason we won 30 games. We are looking forward to Monday for our chance to thank our fans."
ESPN Radio 920 will be on hand broadcasting live from the celebration from 6-8 p.m. Concessions and merchandise will be available for purchase during the event.
"This year was a very exciting season and a great way to end my career at UNLV," said senior guard Michael Umeh. "Playing with this team is something I will always remember, as well as the great support we received from our fans. They gave us a true home-court advantage with their energy and enthusiasm this year and it is something I will always have fond memories of."
The UNLV men's basketball team, which headed into the NCAA tournament ranked as high as 18th in the nation, won the 2007 Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship on March 10.
Returning to the Big Dance for the first time since 2000, the seventh-seeded Runnin' Rebels downed Georgia Tech in the first round and then defeated No. 2 seed Wisconsin in the second round to advance to their first Sweet 16 since 1991.
The Runnin' Rebels closed the season with a 30-7 record and the 30 victories marked the fifth time in program history that the team reached the 30-win plateau in a season. The team also recorded a 19-1 home mark in 2006-07 and finished the year by winning 17 straight at the Thomas & Mack Center.
