2009 Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament

Another MCW Basketball Tournament is in the books. This was the 13th year going to Las Vegas to enjoy basketball, buffets and the company of good friends.

Last years pictures: http://splat-shot.blogspot.com/2008/03/mwc-basketball-tournement.html

This year we all turned in a list of "Top Moments" from the past 13 years. Some of the events may only be funny if "you were there", but it was amazing that the five of us (Lance, Tim, John, Rich and myself) came up with almost identical lists.

Here are a few:

1997 tournament: Keith VanHorn buzzer beater against New Mexico. Lance getting "into it with Lobo Fans" as we departed the Thomas & Mack.

1997 Tournament: Keith VanHorn buzzer beater tip in against SMU. Utah should have lost the game.

Rich, "The Luckiest man alive" steps on something at the Tropicana. Turns out to be a $100 chip.

We all eat a $0.99 "Ho Dog" at the Westward Ho (we actually stayed there!). Rod pays dearly with acid reflex later that night. You can get that foot long dog with chili for an extra $0.49!

UNLV upsets Utah in 1998 Quarterfinals (Utah goes to NCAA finals that year). UNLV Fan turns to Rich and asks, "Where #1 right?". Idiots! UNLV fans just come to drink and chant "Rebels, Rebels, Rebels...."

First year at the tournament, we think we should be eating $.99 meals! Spend an hour searching for the cheap meal. We finally found what we are looking for at the Silver City. Everyone then gets sick! Shouldn't have got the gravy on the eggs at midnight! From that point on, we never look for that "cheap" meal.

The first few years we would drive to the tournament. We stayed at John and Rich's homes in Joseph, Utah. I almost freeze to death at John's house. All I could do was turn myself to get warmth from the mattress. The next morning I tell John how cold it was. He walks over to the window pulls back the curtain and shuts the window. (his mom opened the night before to "air" out the room). I thought the birds were chirping loud that morning.

New Mexico (old lady) fan walks up to person in an Ohio State shirt at the RIO and says: "the only thing Buckeye's are good for is making little Buckeye's (That's for you Brett and Jami)

Hungry? Should Have Ate! (A little saying that has developed over the years with the buffet)

Mike traveled from Wenatchee via Phoenix to attend the tournament this year. You will have to go to Mike's blog to get the "travel log" on how he did that.

"The Crew"

Lance, Rod, Rich, John
Tim(Back Row)

L

Mike was a little upset when BYU missed some crucial free-throws in a semifinal loss to SDSU.

Come to think of it, I think I have seen this expression before!!!!

The photo is from Tevor and Megan's blog "smile or else".....

I think Mom and Mike may have the same tendencies when BYU gives a game away.

Get the rest of the Lincoln's story on "Smile or Else" by following the link: http://thegilsons.blogspot.com/