The UNLV Rebels are set to face off against the Utah State Aggies in a pivotal Mountain West Conference matchup this Tuesday at 11 p.m. EST in Las Vegas. This game comes on the heels of UNLV’s thrilling 85-83 overtime win against the Nevada Wolf Pack, where Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn delivered a standout performance, scoring an impressive 42 points.
At home, the Rebels have a solid record of 9-5 this season. They are currently ranked sixth in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), averaging 14.1 assists per game, with Howard Fleming Jr. leading the team with an average of 3.6 assists.
The Aggies are enjoying a strong season with a conference record of 14-4. Defensively, they are ranked second in the MWC, allowing an average of 69.7 points per game and restricting opponents to 41.8% shooting from the field. Utah State has also shown remarkable efficiency, shooting 50.6% overall this season, which is notably higher than the 45.7% average that UNLV’s opponents have managed.
This matchup marks the second meeting between these teams this season, with UNLV having won the previous encounter 86-76 back on January 21, where Gibbs-Lawhorn contributed significantly with 21 points.
Key players to watch include Gibbs-Lawhorn, who is averaging 21.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, and Kimani Hamilton, who has been a reliable scorer with 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in recent games for the Rebels. For the Aggies, Drake Allen is making his mark with averages of 7.1 points, 4.6 assists, and two steals, while Michael Collins Jr. has been consistent, averaging 14.8 points in his last ten games.
In their last ten games, the Rebels have maintained a balanced offense, averaging 81.0 points while their opponents have put up 83.2 points per game against them. Conversely, the Aggies have excelled with an 8-2 record, averaging 82.4 points while holding their opponents to 72.4 points.
As the teams prepare to clash once more, fans can expect an exciting showdown that could have significant implications for both teams in the final stretch of the MWC season.