Las Vegas…..The Mountain West Mens Basketball Tournament opens Wednesday, and for the Air Force Falcons this tournament and this year, is so different. For this team, more than any other squad in the tournament, the next week is a chance to show they really are better. 8 conference wins was a step forward this season. 3 conference road wins was an improvement as well. But, in my mind, the bloom comes off those roses if the Falcons don’t advance to the semifinals on Friday. I told someone Sunday, in all the years of Air Force Basketball in the Mountain West, the Joe Scott Era, the 2 years with Jeff Bzdelik, in those halcyon days, the Falcons never played on Friday in the tournament. NEVER. One year under Scott they won the regular season conference titile, yet lost in the opening round. Under Bzdelik at one time they were 17-1, but never advanced to Friday. I mentioned in this blog earlier this year the “Glass Ceiling” which was trying to beat a good team on the road. Air Force did that, at Fresno State. The next barrier, in my opinion, is advancing to play in the semifinals on Friday. Air Force could not be in a better position. They face the #11 seed San Jose St, and if they win, then take on Fresno State, whom they defeated earlier this year. I know you have to crawl before you can walk, and walk, before you can run, but the time for the Falcons to sprint is now. This team has the potential. And outside of a no-show performance Saturday in Boise, is playing excellent basketball at the right time. But at the end of the day, the best memories are made, with the most on the line. ITS TIME.
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