LAS VEGAS -- About one court length, or a snap-of-the-wrist Larry Johnson outlet pass, from the entrance to UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center rests a 2,000-pound bronze statue of the Runnin' Rebels' late Hall of Fame coach, Jerry Tarkanian.
A solitary figure, the 6-foot-high sculpture sits on a stool with its right hand adorning a 1990 national championship ring. The statue is stuffing the trademark towel in its mouth as its weary eyes stare off into the distance. The superstitious Tarkanian's "ghost" chair remains open to his right.
Given Tark the Shark's legendary battles with the NCAA during a UNLV tenure from 1973 to 1992 that included a record of 509-105, four Final Four appearances and a national title, you can imagine the likeness standing up at night and turning around and facing the Las Vegas Strip, with the towel in place and scratching its forehead in disbelief at the scene taking place in the city.