UNLV Basketball

Jerry Tarkanian heads list of top 5 UNLV basketball coaches

In this April 2, 1990, file photo, UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian chews on his towel while watching ...

In this April 2, 1990, file photo, UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian chews on his towel while watching his Runnin' Rebels take onr Duke University in the championship game of the Final Four in Denver. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)

UNLV head coach Lon Kruger tries to motivate his team during a timeout against the Air Force Ac ...

UNLV head coach Lon Kruger tries to motivate his team during a timeout against the Air Force Academy at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Feb. 15, 2011. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal) JASON BEAN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL UNLV head coach Lon Kruger tries to motivate his team during a timeout against the Air Force Academy at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Feb. 15, 2011.

UNLV head coach Dave Rice shouts out to his team during a game against Northern Iowa at the Tho ...

UNLV head coach Dave Rice shouts out to his team during a game against Northern Iowa at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Basketball Coach Bill Bayno announces UNLV basketball signings on April 4, 1996 at the Tho ...

UNLV Basketball Coach Bill Bayno announces UNLV basketball signings on April 4, 1996 at the Thomas & Mack (Clint Karlsen/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Sports; 4-18-96,Thomas & Mack -- Si Redd Room. UNLV Basketball Coach Bill Bayno announces UNLV Basketball signings. Photo by Clint Karlsen.

UNLV head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian stands with his team after the Runnin' Rebels won th ...

UNLV head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian stands with his team after the Runnin' Rebels won the NCAA Championship game in April 1991, in Denver, Colorado. (Jim Laurie/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jerry Tarkanian, shown in September, 1992. (Wayne C. Kodey/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jerry Tarkanian, shown in September, 1992. (Wayne C. Kodey/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jerry Tarkanian (File Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jerry Tarkanian (File Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Proposed UNLV men's basketball coach Lon Kruger answers questions during a University and Commu ...

Proposed UNLV men's basketball coach Lon Kruger answers questions during a University and Community College Board of Regents meeting at Desert Research Institute Thursday, March 18, 2004, where he contract was discussed. (RJ Photo/K.M. Cannon)

UNLV Basketball coach Bill Bayno relaxes as he responds to questions. (John Gurzinski/Las Vegas ...

UNLV Basketball coach Bill Bayno relaxes as he responds to questions. (John Gurzinski/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno laughs after being asked how it feels being one of the older c ...

UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno laughs after being asked how it feels being one of the older coaches in the Mountain West during media day at Four Seasons. (Review-Journal File)

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UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger speaks during the Mountain West Conference men's basketball media ...

Graney: Runnin’ Rebels need to follow in football team’s footsteps

UNLV guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) drives the ball to the hoop while Boston College guard Mason M ...

UNLV basketball star to miss season opener

FILE - UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates with forward Alex Karaban (11) after their win ag ...

UConn favored to three-peat as NCAA champs; UNLV in middle of MW

UNLV Rebels guard Dedan Thomas Jr. speaks during the Mountain West Conference men's basketball ...

Hill: UNLV basketball star’s loyalty rare, admirable in money-grab era

By Mark Anderson / Las Vegas Review-Journal

October 11, 2019 - 3:07 pm

T.J. Otzelberger is preparing for his first season as UNLV’s basketball coach. The Rebels open their season Nov. 5 against Purdue Fort Wayne at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Here are the top five UNLV coaches by wins:

1. Jerry Tarkanian, 1973-92

Jerry Tarkanian waits to coach his last game for UNLV at Thomas Mack on March 4, 1992. (Jeff Sc ... — Jerry Tarkanian waits to coach his last game for UNLV at Thomas Mack on March 4, 1992. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Went 509-105. Appeared in four Final Fours and won the 1990 national championship. Made the NCAA Tournament nine consecutive seasons (1983-91). Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

2. Lon Kruger, 2004-11

UNLV men's basketball coach Lon Kruger laughs during a press conference at Thomas and Mack Cent ... — UNLV men's basketball coach Lon Kruger laughs during a press conference at Thomas and Mack Center on Monday, March15, 2004. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Went 161-71. Appeared in four NCAA Tournaments in final five seasons. Advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2007. Won back-to-back Mountain West tournament championships (2007, 2008).

3. Dave Rice, 2011-16

UNLV head coach Dave Rice claps after instructing his team during the first half of an NCAA bas ... — UNLV head coach Dave Rice claps after instructing his team during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Jacksonville State on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

Went 98-54. Appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and 2013. Beat 10 ranked teams, including No. 1 North Carolina in 2011 and No. 3 Arizona in 2014.

4. Rolland Todd, 1965-70

Rolland Todd, former UNLV basketball coach on June 17, 1999. (Clint Karlsen/Las Vegas Review-Jo ... — Rolland Todd, former UNLV basketball coach on June 17, 1999. (Clint Karlsen/Las Vegas Review-Journal).

Went 96-40. Made the NCAA Small College Tournament from 1967 to 1969, advancing to the quarterfinals in 1968.

5. Bill Bayno, 1995-2000

UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno and his coaching staff celebrate the Rebels 56-51 victory ove ... — UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno and his coaching staff celebrate the Rebels 56-51 victory over New Mexico to win the WAC championship at the Thomas and Mack Center. (Mike Salsbury/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Went 94-64. Appeared in the 1998 and 2000 NCAA Tournaments and the 1997 and 1999 National Invitation Tournaments. Took over a program that went 12-16 the season before his hiring.

More Rebels: Follow at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.

UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger speaks during the Mountain West Conference men's basketball media ...

Graney: Runnin’ Rebels need to follow in football team’s footsteps

By Ed Graney / RJ

October 31, 2024 - 2:22 pm

UNLV men’s basketball coach Kevin Kruger hopes all the local support for the school’s football team this year carries over when his season begins Monday.

UNLV guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) drives the ball to the hoop while Boston College guard Mason M ...

UNLV basketball star to miss season opener

By Callie Fin / RJ

October 29, 2024 - 5:03 pm

The UNLV men’s basketball team will be without one key player — and maybe more — for Monday’s season opener against Alabama State.

FILE - UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates with forward Alex Karaban (11) after their win ag ...

UConn favored to three-peat as NCAA champs; UNLV in middle of MW

By Todd Dewey / RJ

October 28, 2024 - 6:05 pm

The march to March Madness starts Monday, and UConn is the clear 8-1 betting favorite to three-peat as NCAA men’s basketball champions.

UNLV Rebels guard Dedan Thomas Jr. speaks during the Mountain West Conference men's basketball ...

Hill: UNLV basketball star’s loyalty rare, admirable in money-grab era

By Adam Hill / RJ

October 20, 2024 - 7:05 am

UNLV point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. is often asked why he chose to eschew more lucrative offers to remain at his hometown school. Here’s his answer.

Graney: UNLV men’s basketball believes NCAA Tournament berth in reach

By Ed Graney / RJ

October 17, 2024 - 10:53 pm

UNLV men’s basketball coach Kevin Kruger believes his team can be in the conversation for great things this March if it plays to its potential.

UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger speaks during the Mountain West Conference men's basketball media ...

Where was UNLV picked to finish in the Mountain West basketball poll?

By Ed Graney / RJ

October 17, 2024 - 1:01 pm

UNLV received two first-place votes in the Mountain West preseason basketball poll, and sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr. was named an all-conference selection.

UNLV picked for conference four-peat, but goals set even higher

By Callie Fin / RJ

October 16, 2024 - 8:42 pm

The UNLV women’s basketball team was picked to win another Mountain West title, but the Lady Rebels still have a chip on their shoulder regarding the NCAA Tournament.

Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager (13) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college ...

Make it 8: Mountain West adds another full-time member

By Adam Hill / RJ

October 15, 2024 - 2:02 pm

The Mountain West has reached the NCAA’s minimum of eight schools for an official conference after adding another full-time member for the 2026-27 school year.

San Diego State defensive end Ryan Henderson, top, runs into Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager ...

Mountain West looks to stay in-house to reach conference minimum

By Adam Hill / RJ

October 10, 2024 - 7:15 am

Hawaii is currently a football-only member of the Mountain West, but talks continue about the school joining the league full time.

UNLV, UNR leadership worked closely amid conference realignment, letter states

By Mick Akers / RJ

October 7, 2024 - 2:44 pm

A letter sent to Nevada System of Higher Education regents revealed there was some level of UNLV and UNR working together as the Mountain West Conference-Pac-12 realignment occurred.