San Diego State and UNLV tip off at 8:30 in the Mountain West Conference semi-finals at Thomas & Mack Center. The Runnin' Rebels are on their home floor, but recent history suggests that doesn't mean much when they're playing the Aztecs. Here's a barrage of numbers that should make the Aztec Faithful feel good about Thursday night.
SDSU has beaten UNLV three straight times in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. The last two have been at Thomas & Mack, including last year's championship game. Each time the Aztecs were the higher seed (2006 and 2009), they've beaten UNLV (this year SDSU is the 2nd seed, UNLV is the 3rd seed). But the dominance goes beyond the MWC Tournament.
Since December 17, 2008, San Diego State is 4-1 against the Rebels in Las Vegas. Everyone else who's played UNLV in their house over that span is 6-36. Overall SDSU has topped UNLV in four straight games, and seven of the last eight meetings.
If anyone else had this kind of luck in Las Vegas, that person would come home a millionaire. The Aztecs are just looking for a brand new trophy, a 32-win season, and maybe, just maybe, a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
