The Thomas Mack Center felt just like Laramie, minus about 5,000 feet of elevation. Hosting the MW Tournament isn’t any sort of home-court advantage for UNLV. Hasn’t been for some time.
UNLV Basketball
Senior Bryce Hamilton scored 22 points but it wasn’t enough as No. 5-seeded UNLV lost to No. 4 Wyoming Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.
In his only year at UNLV, fifth-year guard Michael Nuga has become one of coach Kevin Kruger’s most reliable utility players, either off the bench or in the starting lineup.
In response to the small crowd at Wednesday’s game at Michelob Ultra Arena, UNLV announced Thursday that the first 2,500 fans could attend Saturday’s game free of charge.
Former UNLV basketball recruit Zaon Collins has been sued by the family of a man killed in a suspected DUI crash that landed the prospective player in jail last year.
Royce Hamm had a double-double by early in the second half, and he finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds for UNLV, which held off Gardner-Webb late.
UNLV, which struggled to defend the 3-point line most of the season, held Air Force to 0 of 9 in the first half and 2 of 18 overall on 3s in Wednesday’s blowout.
The Rebels played perhaps their most complete game of the season, rolling past Air Force on Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center to advance to play Utah State.
UNLV hopes the lessons its young players learned from late-game situations in a series sweep of Air Force carry over on the road against Boise State.
It wasn’t long ago that Las Vegas officials wouldn’t even think of applying to host NCAA championships because the state was prohibited from doing so because of its legalized sports betting.
Jonah Antonio was the first UNLV player to leave, but many more are expected given the roster situation and the incoming recruiting class.
UNLV forward Mbacke Diong’s strong play inside has been a key reason for the Rebels’ recent improved play. They visit Wyoming on Saturday.
UNLV first-year basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger is a big believer in analytics, and he’s conveying the importance of data with his new players.
UNLV senior center Katie Powell was chosen to the All-Mountain West women’s basketball team on Sunday, one of four Lady Rebels honored.
UNLV shot 41.2 percent and committed 24 turnovers in a 61-50 loss to Loyola Marymount on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.