As the Mountain West basketball season progresses, two teams on impressive win streaks are set to clash in Las Vegas. The Colorado State Rams and UNLV Rebels, each boasting three consecutive victories, will meet on February 18 to see who can maintain their momentum as March approaches.
Both teams have encountered inconsistencies throughout the season but currently appear to be finding their rhythm, making this matchup critical for conference standings and tournament seeding. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. Mountain Time at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Fans can catch the action nationally on CBS Sports Network, as well as online through platforms like Fubo TV. For those tuning in on radio, the game will air on FM 99.1 featuring play-by-play from Brian Roth alongside analyst Adam Nigon.
In terms of coaching dynamics, UNLV is under the direction of Josh Pastner, who is in his first season and holds a career record of 289-199 after tenures at Memphis and Georgia Tech. The Rams are led by Ali Farokhmanesh, also new to the head coaching role, who has compiled a record of 15-10 after serving as an assistant since 2018.
In their latest outings, UNLV triumphed over Boise State 86-83 in overtime, improving their overall record to 13-12 and 8-6 in Mountain West play. Conversely, the Rams achieved a robust 79-68 victory against Wyoming, putting their overall record at 15-10 and 6-8 in conference fixtures. Earlier in the season, Colorado State defeated UNLV 70-62 at Moby Arena.
Betting lines show UNLV as a narrow favorite by 2.5 points. The Thomas & Mack Center, which has a capacity of just over 19,000, has seen an average attendance of 5,173 fans per game.
Statistically, Colorado State ranks No. 93 in KenPom while UNLV follows at No. 124, with projections indicating a slim 77-76 win for UNLV based on these metrics. The NCAA’s NET rankings further separate the teams, placing CSU at No. 97 and UNLV at No. 132.
Key players for UNLV include Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who leads the Mountain West in scoring with 19.4 points per game, and Kimani Hamilton, contributing 12.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. For Colorado State, Kyle Jorgensen tops the scoring charts with an average of 12.3 points, shooting remarkably well from the field and beyond the arc, while Jevin Muniz stands out in assists, ranking second in the league.
This matchup is not just a battle for positioning; it also serves as a showcase of emerging talent and potential as both teams look to solidify their standings ahead of the Mountain West tournament. The anticipation for this game continues to build, promising an exciting night of college basketball in Las Vegas.