The wave of COVID-19 infections continued to impact the sports world, including in Las Vegas. The Raiders and a headline college basketball doubleheader are experiencing the effects.
UNLV Basketball
Kevin Kruger was the Rebels’ point guard for Lon Kruger in 2006-07. He spent the past two seasons as a UNLV assistant.
Five conferences will hold men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this week and next in Las Vegas. Unlike last year, all are expected to be played to their conclusions.
The NCAA awarded nine championship events to Las Vegas on Wednesday, including two premier events to T-Mobile Arena.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected budgets at college athletic departments throughout the country, including UNLV, and could have long-term ramifications.
Boise State’s athletic department and San Diego State’s men’s basketball program provide example of stability leading to success.
UNLV’s budget cuts, made in response to the financial fallout from the COVID-19 crisis that has shut down athletic events throughout the country, were mostly in travel expenses.
Fourth-seeded UNLV rallied from 11 points down to twice cut the deficit to two, but never caught up in a loss to No. 5 Boise State on Thursday.
UNLV takes a five-game winning streak into the Mountain West tournament, which opens Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Rebels play Boise State at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Rodjanae Wade had 26 points and 21 rebounds for UNLV in Monday’s quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament. The Lady Rebels’ season ended at 13-17.
UNLV (16-14, 11-6 Mountain West) took as much as a 27-point lead over Boise State and then held off a late rally to win Wednesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
UNLV sophomore guard Bryce Hamilton averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds in victories over Colorado State and No. 4 San Diego State.
UNLV led by as many as 14 points before holding off a late comeback effort by San Diego State to stun the No. 4 Aztecs 66-63 on Saturday at Viejas Center.
Jalen Harris’ jumper with 1:21 left in overtime gave UNR the lead for good as the Wolf Pack defeated UNLV 82-79 on Wednesday night.
UNLV plays at Utah State at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and the Aggies’ home floor is among the most intimidating in the Mountain West.