UNLV vs. Louisiana-Monroe, Dec. 19, 2011

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Anthony Marshall, right, defends against ULM's Hugh Mingo during their basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Anthony Marshall, right, defends against ULM's Hugh Mingo during their basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Louisana's Steven McClellan, left and UNLV's Kendall Wallace go for the rebound during first half action at their basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Justin Hawkins and Reggie Smith grab the ball after a foul was call during first half action at their basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Reggie Smith falls back on the court in front of head coach Dave Rice during first-half action at their basketball game against ULM at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Anthony Marshall, right, defends against ULM's Hugh Mingo during their basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Carlos Lopez dunks the ball during first half action against ULM at a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Reggie Smith with the ball during his basketball game against Louisiana Monroe at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. Rebels won 81-63.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Anthony Marshall goes for the lay up with Louisiana-Monroe's Steven McClellan defending during his basketball game against Louisiana Monroe at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. Rebels won 81-63.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Justin Hawkins attempts a lay up with the ball during his basketball game against Louisiana Monroe at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. Rebels won 81-63.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Chase Stanback grabs a rebound during his basketball game against Louisiana-Monroe at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. Rebels won 81-63.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Chase Stanback, right, goes for the ball against Louisiana-Monroe's Trent Mackey during their basketball game the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. Rebels won 81-63.

DAVID BECKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV's Chase Stanback, left, defends against Louisiana-Monroe's Marcelis Hansberry during their basketball game the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. Rebels won 81-63.

copyright_2011_RJ

The Rebels (11-2) play at home against Louisiana-Monroe (1-10) in a game that coach Dave Rice would like to see his team play at a faster tempo. Sophomore point guard Reggie Smith, a transfer from Marquette, is eligible and should bring some added speed to the lineup. The Rebels are No. 21 in The Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.