UNLV to visit Wichita State in Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge

Wichita State Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament on March 26, 2015. (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Wichita State Shockers guard Tekele Cotton (32) is guarded by Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Jerian Grant (22) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament on March 26, 2015. (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Wichita State Shockers band plays during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament on March 26, 2015. (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge will be renewed next season, it was announced by both conferences, and UNLV drew the toughest assignment by getting a road game against Wichita State.

A week after returning from the Maui Invitational, the Rebels will play a Dec. 2 game against the Shockers, who finished this season with a 30-5 record and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

In the same conference challenge in 2011, UNLV went to Wichita State and lost 89-70.

The series, which is being revived after a two-year hiatus, features 10 teams from each league. San Jose State is excluded from the 11-team Mountain West.

The other games announced: Illinois State at San Diego State, Air Force at Southern Illinois, Colorado State at Northern Iowa, Wyoming at Indiana State, Loyola Chicago at New Mexico, Utah State at Missouri State, Drake at UNR, Bradley at Boise State, Evansville at Fresno State.

Two other key dates were announced on the Rebels’ nonconference schedule. UNLV hosts Arizona State on Dec. 16 and plays at Arizona on Dec. 19.