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UNLV vs. Boise State Series: Rebels Hoping To Surprise Broncos
Can UNLV get an upset win?
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Broncos looking to get back on track
Game: UNLV (8-9 5-5) vs Boise State(14-4 10-3)
Location/Tip: ExtraMile Arena; Boise, Idaho. Thursday and Saturday. Both games at 10 p.m. ET
TV: Game 1 CBS Sports Network
TV: Game 2 FSI
Streaming: FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial
Radio: UNLV | Boise State
Odds via BetMGM: Boise State -12
PODCAST: Mountain West Tournament Needs To Get Creative
The Runnin’ Rebels will head to the city of trees to play a pair of games during a very pivotal point in the schedule for UNLV. Stuck in the middle of the standings and needing a pair of wins will not be easy against a Boise State team that is licking its wounds after being swept by Nevada. You can bet the Broncos will be looking to get out to a fast start to make themselves feel better after a few tough losses. Here are some things to look for during these important two games.
Leon Rice loves to use his guards (four of whom shoot 38 % or higher from 3) to keep defenses on their toes. Make no mistake about it, this Boise State team can shoot from anywhere (46% from the field, scoring 78 pts a game). UNLV better have its defense pay special attention to Derrick Alston Jr who averages almost 17 points a game and is one of 3 Broncos who average double-digits (Kigab 13 pts 6 rebs and Shaver Jr 12.5 and 4.5 rebs). Boise State will throw a lot of guys at you as well, they have 8 guys who average 20 or more minutes a game. In some games UNLV is lucky to play eight guys during the entire game, so conditioning is going to be key for the Rebels in order to keep pace.
For UNLV to win this game, they will need to be clicking in all aspects. Limiting turnovers and solid shot selection will be key to keeping the game within reach. As Bryce Hamilton goes so do the Rebels. He is 1 of only 2 Rebels who average double figures. Hamilton is averaging 18.5 points and 6 rebounds a game. David Jenkins Jr.is the other Rebel in double figures averaging just over 14 points per game.
Something the Rebels must control that Nevada controlled in their win Sunday was points in the paint. The Wolfpack outscored the Broncos 38-16. Mbacke Diong, Moses Wood, and the rest of the UNLV squad will look to do the same Thursday evening.
Prediction – Boise State wins both games by double figures. Game 1 Boise St 75 UNLV 62. Game 2 Boise State 68 UNLV 58
Players to watch – For UNLV, it’s David Jenkins. Jenkins had 26 points and took over the game while Hamilton was on the bench with 4 fouls in their win Monday against Air force. For Boise State, it has to be Derrick Alston Jr, as he goes so do the Broncos. In their last game, a loss against Nevada he tallied 17 points.
Interesting factoids – Boise State has lost three out of their last four games after winning a program-record 13 straight. For UNLV, they have lost their last five games against the spread, their record ATS for the year is 6-8-1.
Jayson Williams covers UNLV basketball for the Mountain West Wire. He also co-hosts “The Vegas Fever Podcast”.
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