UNLV's Wink Adams shoots a jumper at Cox Pavilion on Thursday in practice for today's Mountain West Conference game at Air Force. Photo by K.M. Cannon.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Only the mentally strong teams survive on the road in college basketball. UNLV has thrived, according to sophomore guard Wink Adams, because of a "fearless" mentality.

"Every game, we've got something to prove, and we've been playing great," Adams said. "We know how important it is to win on the road."

The Rebels are 4-1 on the road with victories over Hawaii, UNR, Texas Tech and Houston. But their next road test might be their toughest of the season.

UNLV (14-2) plays at No. 20 Air Force (14-1) at 12:30 p.m. today. Both teams are 1-0 in the Mountain West Conference and riding 10-game winning streaks.

The Falcons have a decided advantage, however. They own a 23-game winning streak at Clune Arena, where they also have won 47 of their past 48 games.

"Our guys respect the challenge," Rebels coach Lon Kruger said. "It's going to be difficult. We're not kidding ourselves."

UNLV's starting lineup includes four seniors, but none started for the Rebels last season when Air Force swept the two-game series.

Point guard Kevin Kruger was a junior at Arizona State, center Gaston Essengue and forward Wendell White were reserves and guard Michael Umeh was injured.

Adams started in both games as a freshman, and he was held to six points in a 68-55 loss on the road.

"After what happened last year, we're more focused. This is a game we've been looking forward to playing," Adams said.

The Falcons opened conference play Wednesday with an 81-75 victory at Colorado State, a game in which they hit 15 of 27 3-point shots. They are second in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage (46.4).

Senior center Nick Welch is surrounded by shooters. Dan Nwaelele, Jacob Burtschi, Matt McCraw and Tim Anderson all hit at high percentages from the perimeter.

"They make you play defense for 40 minutes and you can't slack off," Adams said.

The perception that Air Force plays at a snail's pace is not accurate. The Falcons do run the Princeton offensive system that features back-cutting and 3-point shooting, but they average 75.9 points per game.

"Some people want to say we slow it down, but I don't think we do," said Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik, whose team's only loss came to Duke, 71-56 on a neutral court in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 20.

Lon Kruger said it's a "very unique" offense that is difficult to prepare for in only two days. "They are really running the same offense," he said, "but they're shooting it a little more quickly and they're not quite as deliberate."

The Falcons are unyielding defensively, allowing only 54.8 points per game.

UNLV is coming off a 97-94 double-overtime victory over Utah on Wednesday. Kevin Kruger, White and Adams combined for 72 points.

"I think Air Force is the only team in the conference that really has a chance to run out and hide," Kruger said.

Bzdelik is not eager to accept the opinion the Falcons are clear-cut favorites to win the conference.

"I think there are six or seven teams that can win the Mountain West," Bzdelik said. "I'm not just saying that. It's not just coach-speak.

"(Kevin Kruger) is a heck of a player and one of the guys who is keeping me up at night worrying. UNLV has talent all over the place. It's going to be a heck of a game between two confident teams."