UNLV fills out basketball schedule
In need of winning big this season, Dave Rice is not taking the easy way out. He lined up one big game after another.
The UNLV basketball coach released his team‘s nonconference schedule Wednesday and accurately described it as "extremely challenging." The Rebels‘ toughest tests are road games against Arizona and Wichita State in December, after their trip to Hawaii for one of the season’s marquee events, the Maui Invitational in November.
Rice, entering his fifth season under pressure to return to the NCAA Tournament following a two-year absence, said he and his players want to face a big-time schedule.
"I think it helps recruiting,’ Rice said. ’It helps prepare us for conference play. It also provides motivation for guys in the offseason knowing they are going to be challenged. Last year, we ranked No. 3 in the country in strength of schedule for our nonconference season, and this season it may be even tougher."
UNLV opens the regular season Nov. 13 against Cal Poly at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Rebels host New Mexico Highlands on Nov. 16 and Southern Utah on Nov. 18 before heading to Hawaii.
The Maui Invitational bracket is set to be announced July 27. The eight-team field is headlined by Kansas, UCLA, UNLV and Indiana and also includes St. John’s, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Chaminade. The games will be played Nov. 23, 24 and 25.
The Rebels meet Oregon on Dec. 4 at the MGM Grand Garden in a game that will be included in UNLV‘s season-ticket package.
In the revived Mountain West-Missouri Valley Conference Challenge, the Rebels travel to Wichita State on Dec. 9. UNLV plays at UC Riverside on Dec. 12, hosts Arizona State on Dec. 16 and plays at Arizona on Dec. 19.
The Rebels close nonconference play against South Dakota on Dec. 22 at the Thomas & Mack, and UNLV opens its 18-game conference schedule by hosting Fresno State on Dec. 30.
After finishing 18-15 last season, the Rebels lost their top two scorers, Rashad Vaughn and Chris Wood, who each declared for the NBA Draft. But Rice signed one of the nation‘s top recruiting classes, and he appears to have a team talented enough to handle a difficult schedule.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247
UNLV BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
The Rebels’ nonconference opponents for the 2015-16 season:
Date;Opponent
Nov. 6; vs. Whittier (exhibition)
Nov. 13; vs. Cal Poly
Nov. 16.; vs. New Mexico Highlands
Nov. 18; vs. Southern Utah
Nov. 23-25; Maui Invitational-y
Nov. 28; vs. Prairie View A&M
Dec. 4; vs. Oregon-z
Dec. 9; at Wichita State
Dec. 12; at UC Riverside
Dec. 16; vs. Arizona State
Dec. 19; at Arizona
Dec. 22; vs. South Dakota
All home games at Thomas & Mack Center
y-bracket announced July 27; z-at MGM Grand Garden
