Before the links, here's the comments
From Coach Kruger:
- surprised UNLV not given a higher seed given recent success in shooting, win streak, and only losses to BYU and SDSU (top-10 teams when we lost to them)
- excited to be playing again in the big dance
- reason we've made it to the tourney 4 of the last 5 years is because we have good players
** Kruger is a first-class guy, although his comments didn't have ton of insight he put the praise squarely on the student-athletes, well-done
From Anthony Marshall:
- very excited to be going back to the tournament, its 2 for 2 for him
- just blessed to be able to compete at this time of the year
- success attributed to the extra time spent in the gym
- (on potential of playing a 1 seed in the second round) anything can happen any given night - we just have to play hard for 40 minutes
From Chase Stanback:
- very excited and fortunate to be playing right now
- (on playing as an 8 seed) just excited to play basketball, does not matter who opponent is
- (on team gelling) push each other in practice, put in extra time
From Quintrell Thomas:
- very excited to be playing in the tournament, 1st time playing
- difficult to only watch last year
- team is clicking right now on all cylinders
From Carlos Lopez:
- watching last year was awful
- excited to get to play this year
I agree with Coach, we were seeded lower than we should have been. We have put up quality wins all season, and our only real downfall is not being able to close out SDSU the 3 times we have had the chance. We were not competitive in the BYU games, but they had Brandon Davies and when they were rolling they could beat any NCAA team, no exceptions - they demolished SDSU.
I don't know enough about Illinois to comment now, but in the coming days this website will have everything that can be found about Illinois so that by the time you watch the games you'll know them as well as you did the Aztecs.
Coach Kruger is a smart and creative coach, he'll find a way to exploit every weakness Illinois has and then we'll have to deal with Kansas again.
Not to put the cart before the horse, but I feel better about this years team beating Kansas than the team we had in 2008. BTW, we were an 8 seed, they were a 1 seed - Deja Vu.
Full bracket - from ESPN.com
Bleacherreport.com - UNLV Runnin' Rebels continue consistency by making NCAA tournament
Chicago Tribune - Illinois earns No. 9 seed in southwest region
ESPN - No 9 seeded Illini will face UNLV (talks a lot about Illinois' season up to now)
I Sports Web - Generous committee grants Illini a 9 seed
Local coverage
Sun - UNLV comes in as a slight favorite against Illinois (by 1 pt)
Sun - Rebels will open NCAA tourney Friday against Illinois
Sun - Possibility of playing Kansas is again part of selection Sunday for Rebels
Sun - UNLV's tourney match up brings Nevada added attention in Chicago area
LVRJ - Rebels get at-large NCAA birth; will play Illinois at 6:20 pm on Friday in Tulsa
LVRJ - Illinois prepares to face former coach Kruger
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