5 takeaways from UNLV’s Wednesday win over San Jose State

Five takeaways from the UNLV basketball team's 64-61 victory over San Jose State on Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center:

1. If that game wasn't a wake-up call for where the Rebels stand, then one isn't coming. It's no secret UNLV's season comes down the Mountain West tournament next month, but the Rebels have no shot if they keep delivering these underwhelming performances. Yes, they won, but they wouldn't have against most of the conference.

2. All that said, UNLV still has talent. When the Rebels turned up the pressure defensively in the second half, they took over, outscoring San Jose State 40-24, forcing 13 turnovers that included 10 steals, and beating the Spartans 19-0 on points off turnovers. UNLV needs to bring that effort more consistently, and if the Rebels do, they still have a chance to make some inroads.

3. UNLV better hope Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (sprained left knee) isn't out for much longer. San Jose State's bench outscored the Rebels 32-2. With such a short rotation, the Rebels can't expect to find success if they don't get more help from their reserves.

4. The Rebels need to build on their offensive aggressiveness from the second half. They shot just seven 3-pointers after halftime and instead went to the basket. UNLV had a lot of layups that it missed, but will make them more often than not and put extra pressure on opposing defenses.

5. Fans have checked out on the season. The announced crowd was 11,647, but that accounts for tickets out and not actual bodies in the building, which at best numbered 8,000. It created a low-energy atmosphere, but it's difficult to blame the fans for not making the effort to go to the Thomas & Mack. Fans can send a message to the administration by staying away, and that's what they did.

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