UNLV heads up to Laramie, Wyoming for an important conference battle to close out the first half of conference play.  The Rebels lost up their last season and have lost two of their last three in Wyoming.  It is made all the more difficult because of the Rebels subsequent schedule.  After facing Wyoming, UNLV hosts #12 BYU on Saturday, followed by #23 New Mexico next Wednesday.  Wyoming is tough enough in any home game (just ask the Utes), but it is all the more difficult with such huge matchups on the horizon.  The Rebels will have to show some serious discipline tonight if they want to beat Wyoming.  A loss in Laramie hurts doubly because of the Cowboys poor RPI.

Wyoming will be looking to continue their bit of success at home against UNLV in a season that has been filled with ups and downs.  They handled their business against Utah, but then became the first team in two years to lose to Air Force last Saturday.  The Cowboys are led by Afam Muojeke's 16.8 points per game.  However they have a trio of players averaging 10 or so points per game including Adam Waddel's (10.8 along with 6.4 rebounds per game), A.J. Davis (10.4), and Djibril Thiam (10.1).

Wyoming actually puts up a fairly solid amount of points per game (76.6), but they'll need to stop UNLV's deep offensive attack.  The Rebels are led by Tre'Von Willis, but Chace Stanback has stepped up his game since the conference season began.  The team will need the two of them to really step up their game now that Derrick Jasper will be out for five weeks.  Jasper, who strained his knee against Air Force, has been a workhorse for the Rebels.  In his absence, the trio of Darris Santee, Brice Massamba and Matt Shaw will have to step in the rebounding department.  The player who could really get a step-up in minutes is freshman Justin Hawkins.  Hawkins has been a bit inconsistent, but has shown some talent.  It will be interesting to see if he can step up in Jasper's absence.

UNLV Rebels

Wyoming Cowboys