On March 28, 1987, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) experienced a devastating day. Despite finishing the regular season at the top of the rankings for the first time in their history, the Rebels faced an unexpected defeat by Indiana in the Final Four tournament. The disappointment did not end there. Just hours later, "Saturday Night Live" aired a controversial sketch that poked fun at UNLV and its academic standards. This sketch has since been largely forgotten, with only a grainy YouTube upload serving as a reminder of this peculiar moment in television history.

The sketch, titled "The New Paper Chase," satirized the prestigious university setting by portraying UNLV as a place where blackjack was taught instead of traditional subjects. Kevin Nealon, Dana Carvey, and Victoria Jackson humorously highlighted the perceived lack of academic rigor. In one scene, guest host Charlton Heston played a distinguished professor welcoming students to a class on blackjack strategies. Later, Carvey quizzed Phil Hartman using casino terminology, further emphasizing the sketch's theme of prioritizing gambling over education. Jon Lovitz made a memorable appearance as Jerry Tarkanian, lamenting the academic standards that allegedly cost his team a victory against Indiana.

In another segment, Nealon addressed the audience directly, acknowledging the backlash the show had received. He explained that the sketch aimed to highlight UNLV's supposed shortcomings in both academics and basketball player admissions. The sketch's underlying message was that UNLV was not a serious educational institution, and Las Vegas itself was portrayed in a less-than-flattering light. This segment further fueled controversy and left many questioning the appropriateness of such commentary.

The impact of these sketches remains a topic of discussion among fans and critics alike. While the original episode has been edited and the sketch is absent from official archives, it serves as a reminder of how entertainment can sometimes cross boundaries. The incident also highlights the sensitive relationship between sports, academia, and public perception, leaving a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.