LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — As the NCAA Tournament makes its first appearance in Las Vegas, many from the city are reminiscing about the 1987 Tournament, which saw UNLV make it to the Final Four from the West Regional.
In the first round in 1987 at the Seattle Kingdome, the Rebels defeated Idaho State 95-70 before advancing to the second round against Kansas State. They demolished the Wildcats 80-61. In the regional semifinals, UNLV took on Wyoming, defeating the Cowboys 92-78, before taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes and eking out an 84-81 win.
UNLV would fall to Indiana 97-93 in the Final Four on March 28, 1987. Rebels forward Eldridge Hudson looked back at the Tournament on Friday, admitting a missed opportunity in the 1987 game against the Hoosiers.
“We really wanted to play against Syracuse,” Hudson said. “We overlooked Indiana, and it is what it is.”
Hudson would score six points in that game with four offensive rebounds, one defensive rebound, and one assist. The Hoosiers went on to win the championship, defeating Syracuse 74-73.
