From 1973 to 1992, the hottest action in Las Vegas was the University of Nevada, Las Vegas men's basketball team and their controversial coach Jerry Tarkanian. Led by 'Tark the Shark' and a rotating group of future NBA stars, the team became a dynasty as they went on to four NCAA Final Fours, winning one NCAA title in 1990, before collapsing in scandal and controversy.

• Liev Schreiber
• Larry Johnson
• Jerry Tarkanian
• Greg Anthony
• Stacey Augmon
• Todd Boyd
• Steve Carp
• Doug Dunlop