Rebels prepare for San Diego State

Rebels prepare for San Diego State

UNLV is set to take the floor at the Thomas & Mack Center for a Mountain West Conference matchup with San Diego State.

The winner of the game will stand alone in first place in the conference standings, at least until Texas Christian hosts Utah tomorrow.

The Rebels enter the game with a four-game winning streak and have looked very good since a two-game losing streak got conference play off to a rough start.

San Diego State is always an interesting matchup.

The Aztecs are always right there with the Rebels as the two most athletic teams in the conference. That doesn’t always equate to San Diego State being one of the best teams in the league, but this year it looks as if they might be in that group.

The team also features a pair of Las Vegas natives. Lorrenzo Wade and Billy White played their high school basketball in the valley and play prominent roles for the Aztecs.

Looking for a good start

UNLV has led at halftime in just two of its seven conference games this season.

While they have become quite adept at second-half comebacks, it’s not something you want to have to fall back on too often.

A good early performance will enable the Rebels to get what should be a sizable crowd into the game.

The arena is filling up quickly right now, but word is the traffic outside is horrible.

Strange Introductions

As the San Diego State starting lineup was introduced, the team stayed in a circle near the bench.

Ordinarily, as each starter’s name is called, he runs out from the bench and sometimes even comes across the court to shake hands with the opposing coach.

Not tonight.

None of the Aztecs ever stepped away from the circle they had formed.

It led to some strange looks coming from the Rebels bench toward the San Diego State bench.

Baseball Night in Las Vegas

It is Greg Maddux night at the Thomas & Mack Center, but he is not the only name from the baseball world in attendance.

Former UNLV broadcaster and current Oakland Athletics’ play-by-play voice Ken Korach is here.

Also, Tim Neverett is calling the game for the television broadcast.

Neverett, a former Las Vegan, was recently named the play-by-play voice for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For some reason, the two announcers have not been as recognized as the future Hall of Famer. Go figure.