LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The Mountain West’s dream season is culminating this week at the Thomas & Mack Center with plenty of national attention, anticipation and a celebratory vibe. The league is expecting a minimum of three teams and as many as five getting into the NCAA Tournament.
But unlike a time about eight, nine years ago when coaches like Steve Alford and Craig Neal and a team like the New Mexico Lobos would be the center of attention in the league’s annual party – one that used to be 10,000-strong with cherry and silver wearing Lobo fans – the Alford/Neal coached Nevada Wolf Pack and the new-look, rebuilding Lobos are but mere afterthoughts to most onlookers who aren’t directly rooting for either team.