Mississippi State (Butler or Northwestern) vs UNLV - Tempe AZ

[UNLV2001]

      THEN                    OR                VERSUS       

DATE: Thursday, November 28
TIME: 7:30 p.m. MST / 6:30 p.m. PST
SITE: Mullett Arena (5,000), Tempe, Arizona
TV: CBS Sports Network (Matt McCall, Jack Benjamin)
RADIO: ESPN Radio 1100 AM (Matt Neverett, Curtis Terry, Steve Cofield)
AUDIO: UNLV Rebels App & UNLVRebels.com
STATS: Live Stats at UNLV Rebels App & UNLVRebels.com

This will be UNLV's first game away from the Thomas & Mack this season 

UNLV is 2-0 against the Bulldogs with a 75-67 home win in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic on Dec. 30, 1980, and an 82-66 victory in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic at the Orleans Arena on Dec. 23, 2013

UNLV is 22-30 all-time against teams that currently make up the SEC

UNLV has never played Butler in men’s basketball and is 18-13 all-time against teams that currently make up the Big East

UNLV is 1-0 all-time against Northwestern with a 101-95 win in the Las Vegas Rebel Roundup on Dec. 20, 1977. The Runnin’ Rebels are 32-32 all-time against teams that currently make up the Big Ten

Mississippi State opened the season with a home win over West Georgia (96-60) on Nov. 4, a home win over Georgia State (101-66) on Nov. 8, a home win over Southeastern Louisiana (80-59) on Nov. 12, a neutral-site win over Utah (78-73) on Nov. 17 and a road win at SMU (84-79) on Friday

Butler has opened the season with a home win over Missouri State (72-65) on Nov. 4, a home loss to Austin Peay (68-66) on Nov. 8, a home win against Western Michigan (85-65) on Nov. 11, a home win over SMU (81-70) on Nov. 15 and a home win against Merrimack (78-39) on Friday 

Northwestern has opened the season with a home win over Leigh (90-46) on Nov. 4, a road loss at Dayton (71-66) on Nov. 9, a home win against UIC (83-74) on Nov. 12, a home win in overtime against EasternIllinois (67-58) on Nov. 15, a home win over Montana State (72-69) on Nov. 19 and a home win over Pepperdine (68-50) on Friday

UNLV is among the top 50 as a team in the national stats and has three players among the top 30 in various categories.
The Runnin’ Rebels rank 10th in free throws made per game at 21.4, while they are 40th in turnovers per game (10.0), and 46th in turnover margin (4.0) and free throw percentage (76.4). Individually, Bear Cherry is No. 2 in field goal percentage at 80.6, Dedan Thomas Jr. is 12th in free throws made with 41, Jalen Hill is 20th in steals per game at 2.8, and Cherry is 27th in blocks per game at 2.2

HC Kevin Kruger is 62-41 (.602) at UNLV and needs 32 wins to tie Bill Bayno (1996/01) for 4th place on the wins list

Since the 3-point field goal was adopted by the NCAA in 1986-87, UNLV has converted at least one 3-pointer in all 1,232 games played

               

[Lobo Hobo]

Great opportunity for the Rebels. I hope they sweep. 

[Quickdraw]

These should be some challenging games. Glad for it. This is what the OOC is supposed to be to get ready for conference play. Go Rebels

[UNLV2001]

From today's LV SUN article 

UNLV is now ranked No. 48 in the nation in offensive efficiency heading into this week’s Arizona Tip-Off. The Scarlet and Gray are averaging 1.144 points per possession, which would represent a major improvement over last year’s 1.062 PPP (No. 108).

[VincentVegaBond]

Any word if/ when Whaley will return?

[ph90702]

The fact that Mississippi State is favored by 7.5 points on a neutral floor says how bad we suck.

[Rebelcuff]

This is pretty much a must win for Kevin. 

[renoskier]

On 11/28/2024 at 8:20 AM, Rebelcuff said:

This is pretty much a must win for Kevin. 

why?

is UNLV dumb enough to fire a coach in the middle of the season again?

it worked out so well last time

[Spaztecs]

On 11/28/2024 at 9:20 AM, Rebelcuff said:

This is pretty much a must win for Kevin. 

I highly doubt his next contract is dependent upon winning a Holiday Tourney. I'm certain he will be judged by his entire season. 

I'm no insider, but don't  you UNLV fans feel that he has to make the NCAAT to keep his job ? 

[RebelTexan]

On 11/28/2024 at 9:11 AM, Spaztecs said:

I highly doubt his next contract is dependent upon winning a Holiday Tourney. I'm certain he will be judged by his entire season. 

I'm no insider, but don't  you UNLV fans feel that he has to make the NCAAT to keep his job ? 

Yes

[Qwelish]

On 11/28/2024 at 9:11 AM, Spaztecs said:

I highly doubt his next contract is dependent upon winning a Holiday Tourney. I'm certain he will be judged by his entire season. 

I'm no insider, but don't  you UNLV fans feel that he has to make the NCAAT to keep his job ? 

That's a fair assessment. 

Only thing is if the AD has to replace the football coach, he may give KK a slightly longer rope. 

So he might be good if he makes another NIT. It's iffy, and fans won't like it. I just see it as an outside possibility. 

 

[Qwelish]

Memphis just lost their 1st game to #4 auburn after beating #2 uconn, mich st and mizzou. 

So that close loss to them isnt looking too bad. 

If UNLV is healthy this just might be a formidable squad, especially in the mworst. These next 5-6 games will tell us a lot about this team.

[Droga]

Hope this game goes better than i think it will. I only see UNLV winning 2 of the next 6 and am guessing a double digit loss against Mississippi St. 

[Rebelcuff]

On 11/28/2024 at 12:11 PM, Spaztecs said:

I highly doubt his next contract is dependent upon winning a Holiday Tourney. I'm certain he will be judged by his entire season. 

I'm no insider, but don't  you UNLV fans feel that he has to make the NCAAT to keep his job ? 

That's what I mean. He needs some top 50 wins. Not be in the same position like last year. 

[Rebelcuff]

We will never fire a coach mid season again unless he gets in some sort of trouble.

[4UNLV]

I’d forgotten Chris Jans is Miss State’s coach. Go Rebs.

[B_Lootz]

They’re letting MSU get away with some physical play. 

[B_Lootz]

DJ needs to pass the damn ball 

[Rebelcuff]

Perimeter defense continues to be terrible. Kevin didn't get the defensive coaching acumen like his father.

[Qwelish]

UNLV looks rattle already.