In early December of 1967, I was new to Las Vegas, and a friend suggested we go see the Nevada Southern University Rebels. He said they liked to play fast, and had gone to the Division II playoffs the previous year.

We went, and I can't remember much about the game, which the Rebels won, 104-77. I had never heard of the opponent, Chico State. Besides, I was from Big Ten Country. The Big Time. What I recall, though, was how exciting the game was. Rolland Todd was the coach, and would later leave to coach the Portland Trailblazers. His teams liked to run.

Then, in late December, the Rebels played Houston. 1967 Final Four Houston.   Elvin Hayes, Houston.  Houston, who, a month later would end UCLA's 47 game winning streak, 71-69 at the Astrodome. The mighty Cougars in Las Vegas to play little-old Division II NSU.

That night, the Las Vegas Convention center was packed. Normally, it held around 6,300. That night, there were over 7,000. Word had it that the fire chief had been given a trip out of town so that the fire regulations might be bent.

I had a seat in the midcourt balcony aisle, though there weren't really any aisles that night. The team came out, led by Elburt Miller, who averaged 29.1 points per game over two years. It also starred John Q. Trapp, Cliff Findlay, Curtis Watson, Jerry Chandler, Ed Plawski, Harold Stafford, Dave Webb, and Donnie Lyons. The crowd was so loud it sounded like 27,000.

Trapp, the starting center, had shaved his head for the game. In those days, shaved heads were rare. That night, it sent a message. We don't care about your status. We're here to play.

The game was tight, and Trapp generally kept Hayes quiet. The place was bedlam. We were sticking with a top college power! Then, Trapp fouled out with NSU trailing by five and about five minutes remaining. Hayes came alive, Houston ended up winning 94-85. That year, Houston beat a lot of folks by a lot more than nine points.

That night I became a Rebel fan forever. Forty-four seasons later, UNLV basketball is still my passion. We all know about Cliff Findlay's love for UNLV. Curtis Watson still attends most home games. Trapp has passed away. Many other old-time Rebels are still regulars at games.Long time ago.  A loss. But I'll always remember the game. And John Q's shaved head.