Breaking down UNLV’s game at Colorado State on Saturday
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Breaking down UNLV’s basketball game at Colorado State at 2 p.m. Saturday:
Backcourt
Losing Prentiss Nixon, who averages a team-best 17.9 points, to a sprained left ankle is a huge blow for Colorado State. J.D. Paige, who averages 10.2 points, will try to make up the difference. Jordan Johnson has become UNLV’s leading scorer in Mountain West play, averaging 17.0 points. Jovan Mooring has been hot and cold, and how he play is often how the Rebels go.
Edge: UNLV
Frontcourt
UNLV’s Brandon McCoy needs to rediscover his aggressiveness, and if he does, will be difficult to stop. Shakur Juiston also is a tough matchup for the Rams. Che Bob averages 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds for Colorado State.
Edge: UNLV
Bench
Mbacke Diong is emerging as an increasingly important post player for the Rebels, and Amauri Hardy and Tervell Beck have provided some important play. Colorado State isn’t quite so deep.
Edge: UNLV
Intangibles
Give Colorado State coach Larry Eustachy five kids off the street, and he’ll probably find a way to win. Never count him out, and the Rebels know all too well the difficulties of winning at Moby Arena, where they have lost six in a row.
Edge: Colorado State
Betting line
UNLV -4½; total 156
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Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.
