UNLV Game Day

WHO: UNLV at Arizona Tip-Off (vs. Mississippi State on Thursday, vs. Butler of Northwestern on Friday)

When: 6:30 PM Thursday; Friday 4:00 PM or 6:30 PM

Where: Mullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona

TV: CBSSN

Radio: KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM)

About the Rebels (4-1): UNLV goes on the road for the first time this season and brings with it the momentum of three straight wins.

The most recent was a 72-65 win over New Mexico State on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center, featuring 6-foot-10 sophomore point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. makes his first in-game dunk.

Thomas leads the team in points (17.8) and assists (3.8) per game. Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry protects the rim for the Rebels with seven rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a team.

Transfer guard Julian Rishwain has been added to the starting lineup for the past two games while forward Rob Whaley Jr. (back), guard Jaden Henley (foot) and guard Jace Whiting (foot) are working their way back from injury.

Rishwain is averaging 12 points, three rebounds and two steals over his two starts. He said competing against the “stronger, more physical” teams that will play in Tempe will help UNLV achieve its goal of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013.

Fourth-year coach Kevin Kruger said Tuesday he wants the Rebels to focus on defense while being “more in sync and consistent.”

There’s no better way to build chemistry than a road trip, even if that means being away from your family on vacation, he said.

“Thanksgiving is something that was kind of always shared with teams,” Kruger said of his upbringing. “Just basketball conversations and spending time together. There are certainly a lot of great things that can come from these early season tournaments.”

About the opponents: No. 25-ranked Mississippi State (5-0) is fresh off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. The Bulldogs are led by sophomore guard Josh Hubbard, who is scoring 20.2 points per game this season, which ranks third in the SEC.

Kruger said Hubbard “might be the best player (the Rebels) will play all year.”

On Friday, UNLV will play either Butler (4-1) or Northwestern (5-1).

Butler has won three in a row, most recently beating Merrimack 78-39.

Northwestern’s only loss was 71-66 to Dayton on November 9. The Wildcats’ 22-12 campaign last year ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the hands of eventual champion UConn.

Contact Callie Fin at [email protected]. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.