Unlv Runnin Rebels Basketball 1989 90 Ncaa Champions
The UNLV Runnin Rebels captured the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship in the 1989-90 season with a dominating season that saw them finish with a 35-5 record. The team was coached by Hall of Famer Jerry Tarkanian and featured a talented roster of players that included Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, and Greg Anthony. The championship was the first in school history and solidified the Runnin Rebels as one of the premier programs in college basketball.
The Rise of UNLV Basketball
The 1989-90 season was the culmination of a decade-long rise to prominence for the UNLV basketball program. Jerry Tarkanian took over as head coach in 1973 and quickly began building a team that could compete with the top programs in the country. By the early 1980s, the Runnin Rebels had become a consistent NCAA Tournament team and had their first deep run in 1983 when they reached the Elite Eight.
In 1984, UNLV landed a recruiting class that included future NBA players Armon Gilliam, Freddie Banks, and Mark Wade. This core group led the Rebels to their first Final Four in 1987, where they fell to Indiana. The following year, UNLV made it back to the Final Four and reached the championship game, but lost to Duke.
The 1989-90 Season
The 1989-90 season was a year of redemption for the Runnin Rebels, who entered the season with a chip on their shoulder after losing in the championship game the year before. The team was stacked with talent, led by All-American forward Larry Johnson, who was in his second year at UNLV after transferring from Odessa College.
In addition to Johnson, the team featured Stacey Augmon, who was known for his lockdown defense and high-flying dunks, and Greg Anthony, a steady point guard who could knock down big shots. The team also had a deep bench, with players like Anderson Hunt and David Butler who could come in and contribute.
The Runnin Rebels started the season strong, winning their first eight games and climbing to the top of the rankings. They suffered their first loss of the season to Ohio State in December but rebounded with wins over top-ranked Arizona and Michigan State in the next two games.
UNLV dominated the rest of the regular season, winning their conference and earning a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. They breezed through the first four rounds of the tournament, winning by an average of 23 points per game.
The Championship Game
In the championship game, UNLV faced Duke, the same team that had beaten them in the title game the year before. The Runnin Rebels were determined not to let history repeat itself, and they came out firing on all cylinders.
UNLV jumped out to a 30-14 lead and never looked back, cruising to a 103-73 victory. Johnson led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Augmon added 18 points and Anthony dished out 13 assists. The Runnin Rebels shot a blistering 61 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free-throw line in the game.
The Legacy of the 1989-90 UNLV Runnin Rebels
The 1989-90 UNLV Runnin Rebels team is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball teams of all time. Their championship run was a culmination of a decade of hard work and dedication from Jerry Tarkanian and his players.
The team's legacy has endured, with many of the players going on to successful careers in the NBA and the coaching ranks. Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon both had long NBA careers, while Greg Anthony has become a well-respected analyst for CBS Sports. Anderson Hunt and David Butler both went on to play professionally overseas.
Today, UNLV basketball continues to be a strong program, with a rich history that includes the 1989-90 championship team. The Runnin Rebels have made eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament since that championship season, but have yet to capture another title. However, the spirit of that championship team lives on in the hearts of UNLV fans, who remember the dominance of the 1989-90 Runnin Rebels with fondness and pride.
