Rebels ready to close regular season

UNLV will wrap up the regular season at the Thomas & Mack today as it tries to wrap up the No. 3 seed in the Mountain West Conference tournament.

The Rebels can lock up that spot by beating a struggling Wyoming team that they handled easily in Laramie last month.

There will also be some scoreboard watching.

Utah and Colorado State are playing for the No.5 seed in the tournament.

UNLV would rather see Colorado State, which it swept this season. The Rebels dropped both games to Utah and the Utes are a very bad matchup.

Senior Day

Darris Santee and Steve Jones were honored with their families in festivities before the game.

Steve’s famous father, “Snapper” Jones, was not in attendance. He was instead accompanied by his mother and “Chop” was sporting a new look.

He completely shaved his head, saying at practice yesterday it had a lot to do with his mother’s visit.

“I had to get it cut. I think the ‘fro outlasted its welcome,” he said. “I was getting a lot of grief about it. Plus, my mom is coming in town. I figured I’d give her the clean look, and go back to my good-looking days.

Scott Hoffman was also honored as part of the Senior Day festivities, even though he did not participate on the team this season

Hoffman was a walk-on and a fan-favorite for the team, but gave up his final year of eligibility to begin his business career.

He was honored with the other seniors anyway for his contributions throughout his years in the program.

Santee got the start at center, but Jones will come off the bench as usual.

White Out

There is actually a surprisingly good turnout today for an afternoon game that is expected to be a bit of a blowout.

Most of the fans got the message to wear white, as well.

The biggest problem is that most of the empty seats are down low on the side of the arena will show up most prominently on television.

Injury update

Both Matt Shaw and Derrick Jasper are in uniform, but are not in the starting lineup.

Santee will start in the post on senior day, along with regulars Chace Stanback, Tre’Von Willis and Oscar Bellfield.

Anthony Marshall continues to start at the other guard spot in Jasper’s absence.