Last Chance of the Year for Mountain West, WAC to Make Some Noise

Well, it's only the calendar year, mind you. And really, don't you hate running into people on this day who love to say, "See you next year?" And here I am contributing to the problem. But enough about that, UNLV, Utah and Nevada all have an opportunity to make a splash on New Year's Eve with some high-profile games.

The question is, will they be able to take advantage of them? Here's a quick rundown of tonight's games.

UNLV at No. 18 Louisville. The Runnin' Rebels had a brief two-game let down earlier this season, but have established an 11-2 mark, including a big win over Arizona. But tonight's contest could be a tough one, as senior star Wink Adams will be a game-time decision. Adams suffered an abdominal injury recently, but a recent MRI revealed that it was only a strain.

Even if Adams is able to play, UNLV will have a tough test. The Rebels haven't been good on the boards and Louisville is a strong rebounding team. Plus Louisville's defense was able to smother the Rebels in the closing ten minutes of last year's game at the Thomas and Mack Center. Still, that game was closer than some thought. So I expect a similar game this year, where UNLV will hang tough for a while, but ultimately fall. Prediction: Louisville wins. Make your own pick.

Utah at No. 16 Gonzaga. This game suddenly became a huge one for Gonzaga. The Bulldogs looked like a solid Final Four candidate, but recent losses to Connecticut and Portland State has the team reeling, and many questioning the toughness of Gonzaga. That can't be good news for Utah.

The Runnin' Utes had a nice win over Oregon, but followed that up with three consecutive losses to Idaho State, Cal and No. 5 Oklahoma State. Utah also lost a close one to Utah State, and had more trouble then it should have with Big West doormat, UC Irvine. Utah looked good early against Oklahoma and have done well in flashes. But it looks like they are catching Gonzaga at the wrong time. Prediction: Gonzaga in a blowout. Make your own pick.

No. 1 North Carolina at Nevada. First off, congratulations to North Carolina for playing at UC Santa Barbara this season and at Nevada. Some more of the "big boys" should take note of this, because it makes college basketball a whole lot better.

But let's be honest about this one. Unless there is some kind of Reno 911 plot that will keep Tyler Hansbrough detained in a room at Fitzgerald's, then maybe Nevada would have a chance. But unless North Carolina makes like that Carver team that hit the nightlife in Las Vegas prior to a game during the White Shadow, this should be an easy Tar Heels' victory.

But as mentioned before, you can't imagine who exciting this is for Nevada fans and students who will finally get a chance to yell at Hansbrough. (Keep it clean, kids.) This is a once-in-a-lifetime game for them. And again, that's awesome for college basketball. Prediciton: North Carolina wins. Make your own pick. (And who are the six percent picking Nevada? See, this is why games like this are awesome.)

Wow, 0-for-3 for the Mountain West and WAC? That's depressing.