LAS VEGAS – As the Wolf Pack players hung their heads and tried to explain how they had just blown a game against San Francisco, the Dons celebrated raucously in their locker room just a few feet away.
After collecting their trophy for winning the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic, USF retreated to the bowels of the Orleans Arena, erupted with screams and began singing the school song. The Dons overturned jugs of water and jumped up and down as if they were headed to the NCAA Tournament.
At the same time, the noise emanating from Nevada’s locker room was one of disappointment and frustration.