UNLV basketball preview: Rebels put 5-game home win streak on the line
UNLV basketball game day
■ Who: UNLV vs. San Diego State
■ When: 1 p.m. Saturday
■ Where: Thomas &Mack Center
■ TV: CBS
■ Radio: KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM)
■ Line: San Diego State -6; total 149½
■ About UNLV (18-8, 5-2 Mountain West): The Rebels are coming off an 87-76 upset win at Utah State on Tuesday, their sixth victory in the past eight games.
Now, UNLV has a chance to extend a three-game win streak overall and five-game win streak at the Thomas &Mack Center that dates to a 99-85 win over Saint Joseph’s on Nov. 20.
First-year coach Josh Pastner made an attendance plea to fans via the media after his team’s practice Friday, citing $4 beers and free parking.
Guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who leads the Rebels in scoring with 17.1 points per game, said he expects the competition with the Aztecs will draw “one of the best” crowds UNLV has seen this season.
Freshman guard Tyrin Jones scored a career-high 20 points at Utah State. He returned after sustaining a knee injury in that matchup. Pastner said Jones is cleared to play Saturday without restrictions.
Forward Jacob Bannarbie is averaging a team-high 6.3 rebounds. Guard Howie Fleming Jr. leads the team with 3.2 assists per game.
■ About San Diego State (13-5, 7-1 Mountain West): San Diego State, which leads the conference standings, will be looking to bounce back from a 70-69 road loss to Grand Canyon on Wednesday. The defeat ended a seven-game win streak.
The Aztecs are led in scoring by guards BJ Davis (11.6 ppg), Reese Dixon-Waters (11.2 ppg) and Miles Byrd (10.4 ppg).
The Aztecs also boast the nation’s second-highest scoring bench, which averages 40.1 points.
Callie Fin Las Vegas Review-Journal
