The Runnin’ Rebels are entering Mountain West play with a 6-8 record and will first take on the defending conference champions in Utah State on New Year’s Day. Rebel Nation host Cassie Soto and Rebels beat writer Mark Anderson recap the season thus far under first-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger.
The Runnin’ Rebels closed out non-conference play with a 64-49 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon. UNLV will now prepare for the start of Mountain West conference play, which tips off on Wednesday against Utah State.
UNLV head coach T.J. Otzelberger called Wednesday’s loss to Pacific a “humbling opportunity.” Hoping to turn things around, the 5-8 Runnin’ Rebels responded with an 81-69 win over Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon that saw a career-high 16 points come from sophomore guard and Las Vegas local, Marvin Coleman.
After 11 days off, UNLV basketball fell to 4-8 on the season with a 74-66 loss to Pacific on Wednesday night. Head coach T.J. Otzelberger says he needs players who “eat, sleep and breathe basketball” in order for his program to be successful.
UNLV coach T.J. Otzelberger talks about Saturday’s loss to BYU. (Mark Anderson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
