UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS: Runnin’ Rebels Back At Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday Against Portland

Now that the National Finals Rodeo has completed, the UNLV men’s basketball team (6-2) will be back in the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. against Portland (7-2). The game is part of a doubleheader with the UNLV women’s basketball team as the Lady Rebels will host Northwestern at the TMC at 4 p.m.

UNLV is coming off a 75-61 win on Saturday vs. South Dakota in Sioux Falls, which was its second straight victory and fourth in its last five games.

The Runnin’ Rebels, who had to replace all five starters from a year ago, have mainly used a rotation this season that includes five freshmen, one sophomore and two seniors. Freshman guard Rashad Vaughn leads the team in scoring with an average of 16.4 ppg. He played 35 minutes vs. the Coyotes after sitting out the previous game with a back injury. Sophomore forward Christian Wood has six double-doubles this year, which ranks fourth in the country, and has averages of 13.0 ppg and team highs of 9.6 rpg and 3.4 bpg (eighth in the country). Freshman forward Goodluck Okonoboh is second on the team in blocks at 3.1 per game, which ranks 13th in the nation. Senior guard Cody Doolin leads the squad with 5.5 apg and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.9, which is fourth-best in the country.

As a team, the Runnin’ Rebels lead the country in blocked shots (8.6 bpg) and are 16th in field-goal percentage defense (35.7).

Wednesday’s game will be not be televised but it will be video streamed by Campus Insiders on the Mountain West Network and be available at UNLVRebels.com for free with Ari Wolfe and Joe Cravens calling the action. Jon Sandler and Robert Smith will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 AM/100.9 FM in Las Vegas. All internet links along with live stats will be available at UNLVRebels.com.

Fans that arrive early for Wednesday’s game vs. Portland (20 minutes prior to tip), will have the chance to win: Runnin’ Rebel T-Shirts; a Runnin’ Rebel VIP Package, including a limo ride to and from a future game, dinner at Ferraro’s and a signed Runnin’ Rebel basketball; a Runnin’ Rebel Experience, including access to game day shootaround and a signed Runnin’ Rebel basketball; and more.

PORTLAND (7-2, 0-0 West Coast) 

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UNLV (6-2, 0-0 Mountain West)

DATE: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
SITE: Tarkanian Court, Thomas & Mack Center (18,500), Las Vegas
VIDEO: Mountain West Network/Campus Insiders (Ari Wolfe, Joe Cravens)

RADIO: ESPN Radio 1100 AM/100.9 FM (Jon Sandler, Robert Smith)
AUDIO: UNLV Gameday App & UNLVRebels.com