RUNNIN’ REBELS TO RING IN NEW YEAR VS. UTAH STATE
UNLV to resume Mountain West play with 8 p.m. game on New Year’s Day at Thomas & Mack Center
Game Notes vs. Utah State (PDF) | Buy UNLVtickets | Media Guide | Schedule | @UNLVAthletics | @TheRunninRebels
After closing out the non-conference schedule with two straight wins, the UNLV men’s basketball team will resume Mountain West play against defending league champion and preseason favorite Utah State on Wednesday, January 1 at 8 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Tickets start at just $16 when purchased in advance at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
Three Runnin’ Rebels scored in double figures as UNLV (6-8, 1-0) won its non-conference finale over Eastern Michigan on Saturday, led by junior forward Mbacke Diong’s 15 points on 6 of 9 from the field. Sophomore guard Marvin Coleman, in just his third career start, pulled down a team- and career-high 10 rebounds.
Junior guard Amauri Hardy leads three UNLV players averaging in double-figure scoring with 15.2 points per game (8th in MW), while junior forward Mbacke Diong is the team’s leading rebounder with 9.1 per contest (5th in MW). UNLV is under new leadership this year in head coach T.J. Otzelberger.
Utah State (13-2, 2-0) is in its second year under head coach Craig Smith. The Aggies have won three straight games and six of their last seven. Four USU players average double figures in scoring, led by Sam Merrill with 17.7 ppg (3rd in MW). Justin Bean leads the team in rebounding (11.5 rpg, 1st in MW).
Wednesday’s game will be televised by CBS Sports Network with John Sadak and Dan Dickau calling the action. Jon Sandler, former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry and Steve Cofield (sideline reporter) will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas and online via the UNLVGameday App and TuneIn.