[jwplayer tJPh0k22-sNi3MVSU]
Colorado State vs. UNLV: Game Preview, TV & Radio Schedule, Livestream, Odds, More
The Rams head to Las Vegas to open conference play against the Rebels
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Can the Rams get out of their non-conference slump?
WHO: Colorado State Rams (5-8) vs. UNLV Rebels (6-6)
WHEN: Wednesday, January 2nd — 8:30 PM MT/7:30 PM PT
WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada (17,923)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAM: Get a one-week trial of FuboTV.
RADIO: Colorado State | UNLV
SERIES RECORD: This will be the 55th meeting between Colorado State & UNLV, with UNLV holding a 38-16 series advantage. UNLV won the last matchup 79-74 on January 20th, 2018 in Fort Collins, Colorado.
ODDS: UNLV -8
The Colorado State Rams are still reeling after starting non-conference play 4-1 and finishing 1-7. The UNLV Rebels are left wondering what if after a similar 4-1 start to non-conference play, but a 2-5 finish.
The Rams head into Vegas with the hopes of playing decent basketball. The Rams defense, physicality, and communication has failed them at inopportune times during non-conference play. They need to take that monkey and throw it off their backs.
CSU is led by Jeremiah Paige, Nico Carvacho, and Anthony Masinton-Bonner. Paige leads the team in scoring at 15.8 ppg and is tied for the lead in assists at 2.4. Carvacho chips in 13.9 ppg and 12.3 rbg (good for second in the nation). Masinton-Bonner is the teams leading deep threat. He contributes 13.2 ppg while shooting 41% from deep.
UNLV is left wondering what happened after a 25 point loss to Bucknell in the Diamond Head Classic. The Rebels start to the season was promising and has gone downhill. And now, the Rebels will be without the services of Shakur Juiston for the rest of the season after he elected to undergo surgery for a meniscus injury.
The Rebels are led on the court by Kris Clyburn, Amauri Hardy, and Joel Ntambwe. Clyburn and Hardy are the leading scorers for UNLV, each chipping in 12.4 ppg. Ntambwe is the Rebels deep threat, scoring 10.5 ppg while shooting 44% from deep.
The Rams need to communicate on defense otherwise Joel Ntambwe will go off. He might go off anyway, as that’s just how the Rams defense has lucked out. The Rebels will continue to work without Juiston and eventually find someone to step into the void he left in the Rebels lineup.
It’s impossible to predict what is going to happen in this game. It could be a blowout or it could be a close game that goes down to the wire. And either side could win. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the chaos of Mountain West Basketball after dark.
