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Jerry Tarkanian’s feeling better, hopes to attend Final Four

Mountain West Basketball Tournament - Semifinals UNLV v New Mexico

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Former UNLV Rebels head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian attends a semifinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament between the Rebels and the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Center March 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. New Mexico won 72-67. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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A week after suffering a mild heart attack, legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian is improving and hopes to be out of the hospital soon.

Tarkanian, 81, is no longer in the intensive care unit at Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas, mostly coping with bronchitis.

“He wasn’t getting enough air into his lungs, but they have the problem under control,” son Danny Tarkanian told The Associated Press on Sunday. “We’re hoping he’ll be out of the hospital in another day or two.”

The former coach did not have pneumonia, a relief to the family. If he’s healthy enough, his family hopes to take him to the Final Four in New Orleans.

Tarkanian led UNLV to the 1990 NCAA title and reached four Final Fours with the school. He also coached at Fresno State and Long Beach State before retiring from coaching in 2000.

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