UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger calls out to players during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Colorado State Rams at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Reno —
- What:
UNLV at UNR - When:
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. - Where:
Reno - TV:
CBS Sports Network - Radio:
1100AM, 100.9FM
The stakes are high as the UNLV basketball travels to take on UNR in Saturday’s season finale (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
Both teams are scorching hot right now, riding winning streaks of five and six games, respectively, and a share of the conference championship could be on the line, making this edition of the in-state rivalry game even more intense.
Can the Scarlet and Gray pull off another impressive win to cap their astounding mid-season turnaround?
Three keys to watch:
Defense first
UNLV has won 10 of its last 11 games, and the driving force has been the defense. The Scarlet and Gray are up to 79th in KenPom’s adjusted defense metric, and they seem to be getting better with each outing.
During the team’s current five-game winning streak — which includes victories over two Top 25 opponents — they have held teams to just 0.848 points per possession. That would be significantly better than the nation’s No. 1 defense (Houston, 0.863 PPP) if UNLV were able to sustain it over the course of the season. Over the course of the last 11 games, UNLV is allowing 0.923 PPP, which would rank fourth.
One of the few times UNLV has faltered on that end of the court was in the first matchup against UNR. In that Feb. 17 matchup, the Wolf Pack scored 1.07 points per possession and won, 69-66. That’s the highest PPP UNLV has allowed during its hot streak, and one of only two teams to go over one point per possession.
Can they get a better handle on UNR this time around? Senior wing Luis Rodriguez will have a lot to say about it. He has emerged as the team’s top perimeter defender, and he has a history of giving UNR guard Kenan Blackshear problems.
Rodriguez is looking forward to that matchup.
“I love it,” Rodriguez said. “He’s an important piece of what they’re doing, so if I can shut him down as much as possible, give us a chance to win, that’s what I plan to go there and do.”
D.J.’s day off
D.J. Thomas did not practice on Thursday due to a lingering ankle injury. Instead, the freshman point guard spent the session in a walking boot, riding an exercise bicycle on the sideline.
Kevin Kruger said it’s nothing to worry about, however, and Thomas is expected to play on Saturday against UNR.
“It’s good,” Kruger said. “More precautionary for everybody, at this point. You make it to March, and then it’s about being as healthy as possible for each game.”
Thomas initially injured the ankle on Nov. 21, when UNLV was in Florida for the Sunshine Slam. He has worn the boot intermittently since then, but has not missed a game.
Having Thomas on the ball will be crucial on Saturday. Not only is he UNLV’s top scorer and assist man, but he played one of his best games in the first meeting against UNR, putting up 19 points and eight assists. He did miss two crucial free throws in the final minute, so this could even give him a chance at redemption.
Standings watch
Saturday will be a big day for scoreboard watching, as UNLV and UNR could end up playing for a share of the conference title.
Utah State tips off against New Mexico earlier in the day, and a New Mexico win would drop USU to 13-5 in the Mountain West. UNLV and UNR are both 12-5, so the winner would tie for first place and would be deemed a co-champion.
If Utah State wins, then the pressure is off and UNLV can focus on its in-state rivalry game without any larger repercussions.
Who: UNLV (19-10, 12-5 MWC) at UNR (25-6, 12-5 MWC)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lawlor Events Center (Reno)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 1100 AM, 100.9 FM
UNLV leaders
Scoring
D.J. Thomas: 13.2 points
Rebounds
Luis Rodriguez: 6.7 rebounds
Assists
D.J. Thomas: 5.3 assists
UNR leaders
Scoring
Jarod Lucas: 17.5 points
Rebounds
Nick Davidson: 7.3 rebounds
Assists
Kenan Blackshear: 4.7 assists
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
