Love & hugs: Not the first pair of characteristics people associate with a men’s college basketball team. Honestly, they kind of sound like the brand name of a diaper.
It’s interesting to ponder how much camaraderie Connecticut and Kentucky had within the ranks as they powered to championships though playing together for a relatively small period of time. Such is the way of the college hoops world. Put together a different mega-recruiting class each year; make a title run, rinse, wash and repeat.
Call me old-fashioned. Love is timeless and stylish, even when it’s supposedly un-cool. As brash a reputation the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV from two decades ago earned, they had a special, unbreakable bond with each other. It was the by-product of circumstances beyond their control, and philosophy instilled by Coach Tarkanian and staff. Commentators used to say the Rebels lead the nation in hugs. Team affection and respect was a huge component to their success; equally important as every other facet they possessed.
Some believe that’s a vital part to any team’s success; a program staple even. Here in Vegas, you run-n-gun your tail off, play defense like a madman and love all your teammates, on and off the court. Count me as one of those believers. Admittedly, not every Rebel team has had that type of bond. Legend has it one of the most successful teams in UNLV history literally went at each other’s throats; stories of featured players coming to fisticuffs with role players in hotel lobbies as they tried to establish dominance. Their war-like practice style attributed to that, but when they battled another team everyone was unquestionably united.
At the conclusion of the Desert Reign Pro-City Summer League in Las Vegas this past week, there was lots of tough love going around. Incoming Rebels Savon Goodman, Daquan Cook and Katin Reinhardt were shown the hardwood ropes from veteran Rebels Anthony Marshall and Justin Hawkins. The vets dunked, stole and pounced their way to victory. Although they learned on the fly, the new guys didn’t back down, also dunking and blowing by their older counterparts at times. The key, though subtlety noticeable, was their joking, acknowledgement and encouragement of one another. It could’ve been common courtesy, but it seemed to have a touch of sincerity. And love isn’t usually insincere.
In this day and age, a collection of talented basketball players do not exactly need to be their brother’s keepers to win at a high level. Personalities clash and agendas differ from player to player. Conversely, if a player trusts another player off the court, chances are he’ll trust him on it. To surmise: Unselfishness. Head Coach Dave Rice’s name for it is ‘Team.’
It isn’t necessary for the newest assemblage of Runnin’ Rebels to become a complete band of brothers to succeed. Along with all the dunks and oops and fast breaks and steals and wins the upcoming season will afford, It’d be a different kind of throwback to see some team hugs to go with it. The kind when a game is at its boiling point as it’s stopped before a crucial foul shot and underneath the basket you find a huddle of synergized Rebels embracing meaningfully. It is the extra mile that helps make things special. It’s what helped separate the program from the pack once before.
Love & hugs, people. Like running, it’s the Rebel way.
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