UNLV vs. Utah State Preview: Rebels Hope to Extend Winning Streak

If interim coach Todd Simon wants to make a mark on the UNLV basketball program then he must devise a victory tonight.  Under former coach Dave Rice, the Rebels struggled significantly on the road.  Their road woes became one of the points of criticism among Rebel fans everywhere.

Simon can turn that all around tonight and make it a distant memory.

If the Rebels recent play is any indication, UNLV looks like a team ready to start anew.  Revitalized and energized on both ends of the court, the Rebels visit the Aggies with perhaps the best momentum they've shown since the first week of the season.

However, the Aggies will be ready to answer the call.  Traditionally tough to handle on their home court, no doubt the fans will be rocking, understanding that their team's record and season has gone very similarly to that of the Rebels' (both squads still desperately in the hunt for a Mountain West title).

The Aggies are 3-3 in conference play.  They are riding a two-game winning streak, one of which included a high scoring affair at Colorado State.  The Rebels, also with a two-game winning streak, are 2-3 in conference play, looking to go back to .500 in their conference record with a victory tonight.

As much as the Runnin' Rebels have been cruising, this should be a back and forth, high energy affair where the difference makers in the game could be coming not from the quick guards on both sides but from the post.  Look for the Rebels to sneak away with a victory and shock the Aggies at home.

Prediction: UNLV 74, Utah State 70