UNLV vs. San Diego State breakdown

Breaking down the UNLV basketball team's game against San Diego State at 5 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center:

BACKCOURT

UNLV will need its guards to push the action against a San Diego State team that will want to slow the pace. The Rebels have the players to make San Diego State play a full-court game, though the Aztecs' Trey Kell averages 15.8 points per game in Mountain West play.

Edge: UNLV

FRONTCOURT

The Aztecs start a three-forward lineup, and they will want to make this a bruising halfcourt game that uses up the 30-second shot clock. Findlay Prep product Winston Shepard averages 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in conference play. The Rebels counter with an effective frontcourt as well, but Stephen Zimmerman Jr. will be pressed to play a physical game.

Edge: San Diego State

BENCH

San Diego State isn't afraid to go deep into its bench with nine players averaging double figures in minutes. UNLV goes 10 deep, and the Rebels are quite comfortable putting their reserves on their floor in any situation.

Edge: UNLV

INTANGIBLES

The Aztecs have won six consecutive meetings and 12 of the past 15. Plus, they keep finding ways to pull out victories despite not always playing that well. This is a team that knows how to get it done.

Edge: San Diego State

BOTTOM LINE

Betting line: UNLV -4½

— Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65