Breakdown: UNLV vs. Colorado State tonight
Breaking down the UNLV basketball team's game against Colorado State at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center:
BACKCOURT
Colorado State has some talented guards in Antwan Scott (16.4 points per game), John Gillon (12.3) and Jo De Ciman (9.9). The Rams will want to push the ball up the court, and they average a Mountain West-best 80.3 points. UNLV isn't exactly hurting in this area, and it makes for a quality matchup.
Edge: Colorado State
FRONTCOURT
Derrick Jones Jr. is coming off a performance against San Jose State in which he had 14 points and 18 rebounds for the Rebels. UNLV won't match up with many teams inside given its injury situation, but Colorado State's size shouldn't be as much of an issue for the Rebels. Emmanuel Omogbo (10.7 points, 7.4 rebounds) will be tough to defend, however.
Edge: UNLV
BENCH
By playing Austin Starr for 13 minutes against the Spartans, UNLV interim coach Todd Simon showed he's still committed to using an eight-man rotation. That's what Colorado State uses, and the Rams are more effective.
Edge: Colorado State
INTANGIBLES
UNLV is considerably better at home, 9-3 compared to 2-7 in true away games. The Rebels also remember how close they came to winning at Colorado State on Jan. 6, losing 66-65 on Gillon's free throw with 1.1 seconds remaining.
Edge: UNLV
BOTTOM LINE
Betting line: UNLV -7
— Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65
