Boise State-UNLV breakdown

Breaking down UNLV's basketball game against Boise State at 8 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center:

BACKCOURT

Derrick Jones Jr. should be completely ready to go after injuring his right ankle Saturday at UNR, and that's huge news for the Rebels. UNLV also has more assists, though Boise State is slightly better at shooting 3-pointers. The Broncos have plenty of talent, with Anthony Drmic and Canyon Springs High School product Mikey Thompson each averaging in double figures.

Edge: UNLV

FRONTCOURT

Boise State's James Webb III deserves consideration for Mountain West Player of the Year. He averages 16.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, and teammate Nick Duncan averages 12.0 and 4.0. The Rebels' Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (10.1, 9.3) needs a bounce-back game after his three-game streak of double-doubles was stopped against UNR.

Edge: Boise State

BENCH

It's hard to match UNLV in this area when the Rebels can bring players off the bench such as Ike Nwamu, Ben Carter and Jalen Poyser. Chandler Hutchison, a former starter, is a capable backup for the Broncos, but his minutes have been reduced to a total of 24 over the past two games.

Edge: UNLV

INTANGIBLES

Leon Rice is an outstanding coach for Boise State, and UNLV should consider him for its position after the season. Todd Simon guides a Rebels team that is 7-2 at home this season and is itching to answer for the 65-63 loss in Reno.

Edge: UNLV

BOTTOM LINE

Odds: UNLV -3½

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