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Breaking down the UNLV-Air Force game

Updated January 10, 2018 - 12:02 pm

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Breaking down UNLV’s basketball game at Air Force at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Clune Arena:

Backcourt

Jovan Mooring badly needs to break out of his shooting slump and return to early season form. If he does, UNLV should have every chance to beat the Falcons. Otherwise, it will be another struggle. Air Force’s Trevor Lyons averages 9.2 points and is shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range.

Edge: UNLV

Frontcourt

The Rebels have got to find more ways to get the ball to Brandon McCoy. He scored 10 of his 23 points in the final 11 minutes Saturday against Utah State after getting more touches. Air Force’s top forward is Lavelle Scottie, who leads the team with a 10.7-point scoring average.

Edge: UNLV

Bench

Both teams go deep into their benches, and Mbacke Diong’s emergence has boosted the Rebels inside. But the Falcons come in waves, with 10 players averaging in double figures in minutes played, and 19 players have scored.

Edge: Air Force

Intangibles

UNLV hasn’t won at Clune Arena since 2014, and there is a reason for that. Actually, several reasons. The 7,200-foot elevation is a factor, and the Falcons tend to play on another level at home.

Edge: Air Force

Betting line

UNLV -9; total 150½

More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.

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