Rebels Ready to Clash with Wyoming: Tuesday Night Showdown Awaits!

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Following an impressive victory over then-No. 22 Utah State on Wednesday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center and a dominant performance against San Diego State on Saturday in San Diego, the UNLV men’s basketball team (11-7, 5-2) is set to return home to face Wyoming on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be broadcasted nationally on CBS Sports Network.

The Runnin’ Rebels initiated conference play with a triumphant 87-77 home victory against Fresno State, followed by a 77-58 away win against Air Force and a 79-73 home success over San Jose State, before suffering back-to-back losses on the road against Boise State, 81-59, and Colorado State, 84-62. Nevertheless, UNLV halted its brief losing streak with a 65-62 win over the Aggies and secured its second consecutive win with a score of 76-68 against the Aztecs.

The Runnin’ Rebels, who have achieved victory in seven out of their last 10 games, are currently tied for third place in the Mountain West standings. UNLV boasts a commendable 8-1 record at the Thomas & Mack Center this season.

Three players from UNLV are averaging double-digit scoring, with Dedan Thomas Jr. leading the pack with an average of 15.8 points per game. Other contributors include Jaden Henley, Jailen Bedford, Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry, Julian Rishwain, and Jalen Hill who are all scoring between 7.7 ppg and 11.5 ppg. Cherry tops the team in rebounding with 5.3 rpg and blocks at 1.6 bpg (3rd in MW), while Thomas Jr. leads in assists with 4.5 apg (3rd in MW) and Rishwain heads steals with 1.5 spg.

UNLV is currently under the guidance of head coach Kevin Kruger in his fourth season, holding a career record of 69-47 (.595).

TICKETS:  Tickets for UNLV men’s basketball home matches can be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS (3267), or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.

ABOUT THE ROSTER: This year’s UNLV roster features six returnees from last season along with 10 newcomers, which includes four Division I transfers, a junior college transfer, and five freshmen. There are eight upperclassmen on the team, including two sixth-year players. Six players currently on the roster are competing in their hometown of Las Vegas. The Runnin’ Rebels have two returning starters in sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr., who was recognized as the Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year last season and earned preseason all-conference team honors this season, along with senior forward Rob Whaley Jr. (currently sidelined due to injury). Forward Jalen Hill is also back for a sixth season after suffering a season-ending knee injury last January (during the MW opener against San Diego State). Last year, Thomas Jr. topped UNLV in both scoring and assists, averaging 13.6 and 5.1 per game, respectively, while Whaley Jr. averaged 7.6 ppg and 3.6 rpg, and Hill averaged 10.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg in seven games.

LAST TIME OUT: In Saturday’s victory at San Diego State, UNLV maintained the lead for most of the contest, including the entire second half. This marked the Runnin’ Rebels’ first win in San Diego since 2020. Dedan Thomas Jr. led UNLV with 19 points and five assists, while Brooklyn Hicks contributed 13 points and Jaden Henley added 12 points. UNLV withstood several runs from SDSU, including a late surge when Byrd hit a 3-pointer to narrow SDSU’s deficit to four points (67-63) with under two minutes remaining. Thomas Jr. responded by driving into the lane to set up Bear Cherry for an alley-oop dunk. Byrd managed a layup, but Thomas Jr. quickly scored a tough turnaround fadeaway from the baseline, bringing the score to 71-65 with less than a minute remaining. Byrd then made one and missed one from the free-throw line, while Thomas Jr. sealed the game with two free throws with 37 seconds remaining. Thomas Jr. netted eight of UNLV’s final 11 points in this match. UNLV outperformed San Diego State in rebounding, achieving 37-32, while restricting the Aztecs to only 40% shooting from the field (24 of 60).

ABOUT WYOMING: The Cowboys arrive in Las Vegas after suffering three consecutive losses: against New Mexico (61-53), at Boise State (96-55), and to Colorado State (79-63). Prior to that, Wyoming had secured two victories out of three games: a win against UNR (66-63), a loss to Boise State (67-58), and a victory at Air Force (70-65). This season, Wyoming holds a 2-4 record in true road games. Leading the scoring for the Cowboys is Obi Agbim, averaging 18.8 ppg (2nd in MW). Jordan Nesbitt is the top rebounder with 7.2 rebounds per contest, while Agbim excels in assists with 3.2 apg, field-goal percentage (.519, 3rd in MW), and 3-point field-goal percentage (.462, 1st in MW). In the preseason coaches’ poll, Wyoming was predicted to finish ninth in the Mountain West this year. Last season, the Cowboys concluded with a 15-17 overall record, placing eighth in the MW with an 8-10 league record. UW’s 16-man roster includes 10 upperclassmen. Head coach Sundance Wicks is in his inaugural season at Wyoming, marking his fourth season overall as a collegiate head coach, having previously coached at Green Bay during the 2023-24 season and at Missouri Western from 2018-20. His career record stands at 57-55 (.509).

BROADCAST INFO: The matchup on Tuesday will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network, with John Sadak and Tre Demps providing commentary. The radio coverage will be handled by Matt Neverett, former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry, and Steve Cofield, available on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas and globally on SiriusXM 381. All streaming links and live statistics can be accessed at UNLVRebels.com and through the UNLV Rebels App.