On the same afternoon that UNLV players traded high-fives with elated student fans after upsetting Louisville, the Arizona Wildcats trotted into their first practice since the Maui Invitational.
It wasn't easy.
"You could say everybody was probably a little worn out," freshman forward Solomon Hill said. "It wasn't the same as before. When we were going to Maui, everyone was excited. It's just basically coming back and moving on to the next game."
But since that Saturday practice, the Wildcats have had more time to cure any possible hangover, a factor that could be just as important tonight as rebounding, shooting, defense or fouls.
Arizona has had three more practices since Saturday; the Rebels have had just two.
One of those practices came Monday, when UNLV made the national rankings for the first time in more than two years, and the other came Tuesday, after which the Rebels had to travel to Tucson for their first road game of the season.
They have had no time to get out of the clouds.
But the way UNLV coach Lon Kruger and guard Oscar Bellfield talk about it, their heads were never really there.
Although many UNLV students rushed the floor after the Rebels' 76-71 win over Louisville - some of whom weren't even alive when Jerry Tarkanian coached UNLV to the 1990 NCAA title - Bellfield said the Rebels internally have very high standards.
They behave like players from a proud program.
"This is where we wanted to be and not where want to stop," said Bellfield, who keyed Saturday's win with eight points and a steal in the final six minutes. "People are realizing we're ranked, but it's something we can't get our heads" stuck on.
Kruger said the Rebels managed to have their best practice of the season Monday despite all the hype.
"I was curious to see how they would handle the Louisville game and the ranking," Kruger said.
In case one or two of the Rebels comes out a bit flat tonight, Kruger need not worry: He has plenty of other options.
Kruger has been playing 11 guys this season, keeping virtually the entire team fresh and motivated. He has three players splitting time at center, with eight more covering the four other spots.
"I like our depth at this point," Kruger said. "As long as we keep getting results, they'll keep playing."
Of the Rebels' 27 field goals against Louisville, 21 came off assists, and UNLV averages nearly 20 assists per game. Tre'Von Willis leads the team in scoring at 16.0 points, but 12 guys average at least five points apiece.
Bellfield says that's a result of the Rebels coming together in the off-season after skidding into the NIT with a 9-7 Mountain West record last season.
"We grew from last year after the success we didn't have," Bellfield said. "Everyone wants to be successful so we have to do some things in order to get there."
Kruger said, "We know in order to make progress, we have to rely on each other."
If road-game jitters hamper the Rebels' shooting, they have an answer. UNLV shoots just 26.8 percent from three-point range but compensates by forcing an average of 18.4 turnovers a game and by having players who are able to get to the basket offensively from nearly every position.
And their passing makes sure somebody, eventually, can get an open lane to do so.
"They outwork and out-hustle you," Miller said. "They turn you over, they have a lot of players who can pass the ball. They're very well-coached and well-organized in a chaotic way."
The Rebels might be the only ranked team tonight, but they opened as a 3 1/2-point underdog, even after going 5-0 this season and having beaten Arizona by 15 points last season in Las Vegas.
"I do know the result of last year's game, and I'm sure they're very confident coming in here," UA coach Sean Miller said. "They're probably very excited to come here to McKale and impose their identity."
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