LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men’s basketball team (1-1) will continue its five-game season opener on Thursday, Nov. 14, hosting Omaha at the Thomas & Mack Center at 7 p.m.

The Runnin’ Rebels opened the season with a 93-79 win over Alabama State on Nov. 4, then lost a close game to Memphis 80-74 on Saturday.

Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry led all players in the opener with a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds on 10 of 11 shooting. Dedan Thomas Jr. added 17 points and seven assists, while two other Runnin’ Rebels scored in double figures (Julian Rishwain13 points on 4 of 8 three-pointers, and Brooklyn Hicks11 points). UNLV shot 56.9% from the field and 45.0% on three-pointers.

Against Memphis, Thomas Jr. led. the Runnin’ Rebels with 22 points Jalen Hill added fourteen with five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Imprison Bedford scored 10 points, while Cherry had nine points with team highs of seven rebounds and two blocks.

Through the first two games of the season, Thomas Jr. leads. the team in scoring at 19.5 ppg, while Cherry is second at 16.5 ppg and leads in rebounding at 9.0 rpg and field goal percentage at 93.3%. The Runnin’ Rebels are averaging 83.5 ppg.

UNLV is in its fourth season under head coach Kevin Kruger. He has a career record of 59-41.

THURSDAY’S PROMOTIONS: The game against Omaha is billed as “Throwback Thursday,” turning back the clock with $5 balcony tickets, $20 lower bowl tickets and $3 hot dogs until the game starts. The deadline to purchase discounted Throwback Thursday tickets is Wednesday, November 13 at 11:49 PM. Visit UNLVtickets.com to purchase.

TICKETS: Tickets for UNLV men’s basketball home games are available for purchase at UNLVtickets.comby calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.

ABOUT THE ROSTER: This season’s UNLV roster features six returners from last year’s team, along with 10 newcomers. The newcomers consist of four Division I transfers, one junior college transfer and five freshmen. UNLV has eight upperclassmen, including two sixth-year players. A total of six players on the roster play in their hometown of Las Vegas. The Runnin’ Rebels return two starters at sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr.who was the Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year last season and was named to this season’s all-conference team, and senior forward Rob Whaley Jr. Come on Jalen Hill is also back for a sixth year of college after suffering a season-ending knee injury in January. Thomas Jr. led UNLV in scoring and assists last year with 13.6 and 5.1 per game, respectively, Whaley Jr. had averages of 7.6 ppg and 3.6 rpg, while Hill averaged 10.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg in seven games.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT: Omaha (2-1) has opened this season with wins over Mid-America Christian (85-69) on Nov. 4 and Stetson (79-76) on Nov. 7, while losing its last game at Minnesota (68-64) on Friday. The Mavericks led by as many as six points against the Golden Gophers in the second half. Omaha is in the midst of seven straight road games. Marquel Sutton leads the team in rebounding and scoring with 14.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg, while Lance Waddles is the team’s assist leader with 2.7 apg. Sutton earned Preseason All-Summit League Second Team honors in October. Last season he averaged 14.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Omaha went 15-18 overall last season and finished sixth in the Summit League at 7-9. Omaha was picked to finish eighth in this year’s preseason poll. The Mavericks, who have nine upperclassmen on their roster, are coached by Chris Crutchfield, who is in his fourth year leading the program. He has a 26-42 college record and a career mark of 36-51.

BROADCAST INFO: Thursday’s game will air on the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network (digital channels 5.2 and 125 on Cox in Las Vegas, also available on YouTube TV) and the Mountain West Network with Matt Neverett, former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry and Steve Cofield . the action. The trio will also host the call on radio via simulcast, heard on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas. All streaming links and live stats are available at UNLVRebels.com and through the UNLV Rebels app.

LAST SEASON: The Runnin’ Rebels are coming off their best season in more than a decade as they were invited to the postseason for the first time since 2013. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT and won a postseason game for the first time in 16 years. In his third season at the helm, Kruger led the team to 21 wins for the first time since the 2012-13 season and guided the team to a 12-4 record in the last 16 games.

UNLV recorded its first win over a top-10 team in four years, its first in non-conference play in nine seasons and defeated a total of four ranked teams in a single season for the first time in 11 years. 2023-2024 Mountain West Co Freshman of the Year Dedan Thomas Jr. set the Mountain West assists record with 174 and also led the nation in assists among freshmen.