UNLV-Colorado Scouting Report

How UNLV and Colorado match up for today's NCAA Tournament game:

Point guard

■ Oscar Bellfield, UNLV

■ Nate Tomlinson, Colorado

As a four-year starter playing in his third NCAA Tournament, Bellfield has more big-game experience. But his 3-point shooting is inconsistent (2-for-12 in the past three games after going 7-for-12 in the previous two games.) Bellfield is a steady floor leader, with 25 assists and six turnovers in the past four games. Tomlinson is solid, but nothing special on the offensive end.

■ Edge: Rebels

Shooting guard

■ Anthony Marshall, UNLV

■ Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado

In a perimeter shooting contest, Dinwiddie would get the best of Marshall. Dinwiddie has hit 43.6 percent of his 3s and made all four in the Buffaloes' victory over Arizona in the Pac-12 Conference tournament title game. He chose Colorado over Harvard and shows the maturity of a high IQ player. Marshall is far more physical and is a better defender and rebounder.

■ Edge: Rebels

Small forward

■ Chace Stanback, UNLV

■ Carlon Brown, Colorado

Playing at about 80 percent on a sore right knee, Stanback is at times a liability on the defensive end and probably can't handle the explosive Brown. Stanback is a streaky 3-point shooter capable of carrying the offense, but the last time he got hot was in a two-game stretch in late February. The 6-foot-5-inch Brown, who has scored in double figures in six straight games, can get to the rim and finish.

■ Edge: Buffaloes

Power forward

■ Mike Moser, UNLV

■ Andre Roberson, Colorado

Both players have been described as Dennis Rodman-type rebounders. The 6-7 Roberson averages 11.6 points and 11.1 rebounds. The 6-8 Moser averages 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. After a four-game slump in February, Moser appeared to get his legs back and averaged 13.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in three games in March. The winner of this matchup could determine the game.

■ Edge: Rebels

Center/Power forward

■ Brice Massamba, UNLV

■ Austin Dufault, Colorado

A true center with more bulk, Massamba has been reliable and does what the Rebels require of him on both ends of the floor. The 6-9 Dufault, who gives an inch and about 20 pounds to Massamba, runs the floor much better. Dufault has stepped out to make 20 3-pointers and averages 10.9 points to Massamba's 6.5. Of the five positional matchups, this figures to be the least important.

■ Edge: Buffaloes

Bench

In four Pac-12 tournament games, the Buffaloes' reserves were minor contributors. The starters accounted for 112 of 123 points in their victories over Arizona and California. Their top reserve is freshman guard Askia Booker. The production from the Rebels' reserves has been spotty lately, but Justin Hawkins, Kendall Wallace, Carlos Lopez and Quintrell Thomas can make an impact.

■ Edge: Rebels

Intangibles

The Rebels should be more comfortable shooting at familiar rims in The Pit. But the Buffaloes are better suited to play at altitude. The teams can expect relatively even fan support. Colorado comes in as a more confident team after winning four games in four days in the Pac-12 tournament in Los Angeles. The Rebels have not won a game away from the Thomas & Mack Center since Jan. 28.

■ Edge: Buffaloes

Coaching

Tad Boyle has developed more toughness in his Colorado team. But Boyle has said he's OK with getting into an up-tempo game with the Rebels, and that could be a mistake. The Rebels excel in Dave Rice's offensive transition system but struggle to score in half-court sets. Rice can utilize a deeper bench to his advantage.

■ Edge: Even

■ Overall Edge: UNLV by 3 points