UNLV Rebels vs Nevada Wolf Pack: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Lawlor Events Center in Reno, NV, USA.

When: Wednesday, February 27th at 11pm EST.

How (TV/Radio): CBS Sports Network |

UNLV Rebels (Away)

Head Coach: Marvin Menzies {Overall: 15-12, .556 W-L% | Conference: 9-6, 5th in Mountain West}

The Runnin’ Rebels will make the trip upstate to Reno to take on their rivals to avenge their earlier loss to the Wolf Pack on January 29th in Las Vegas. UNLV was beaten handily 87-70, with Senior Kris Clyburn dropping 23 points, while fellow Detroit native, Amauri Hardy chipped in with 17 points.

Coach Marvin Menzies will need to get his team refocused after their close 60-59 home loss to San Diego State on February 23rd. Senior guard Noah Robotham led the way with 18 points while hitting 5 of 6 three-pointers.

Nevada Wolf Pack(Home)

Head Coach: Eric Musselman {Overall: 25-2, .926 W-L% | Conference: 12-2, 1st in Mountain West}

After dominating most of their in conference schedule, the Wolf Pack have had some hiccups in recent days, first losing at San Diego State on February 20th, then squeaking out a tough victory against Fresno State on Saturday. Nevada came out on top 74-68 behind Caleb Martin’s 24 points, while fellow senior Tre’Shawn Thurman came off the bench to drop 14 points as an added boost.

The Pack should not expect the upcoming rivalry game to be a cake walk, as they lost at home last season to the Rebels 86-78. Nevada was ranked 23rd in the country at that time, and with them being ranked higher when this game rolls around, UNLV will see a bigger bullseye on their opponents’ back.

UNLV Roster Notes

Junior forward Cheickna Dembele is out for the season with a finger injury.

Senior forward Shakur Juiston is out for the season with a meniscus injury suffered on December 8th against Illinois.

Nevada Roster Notes

Senior guard Lindsey Drew is out for the season with a hip injury.

Head-to-Head: Kris Clyburn vs Jordan Caroline

Kris Clyburn

Shooting Guard | 6-6, 180lb (198cm, 81kg) | Romulus HS | Detroit, MI | Senior

13.3 PPG | 1.3 APG | 5.4 RPG | 1.0 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 1.7 TOV | .417 FG% | .308 3P%

Jordan Carolina

Shooting Guard/Small Forward | 6-7, 230lb (201cm, 104kg) | Montverde Academy (FL) | Champaign, IL | Senior

18.3 PPG | 2.0 APG | 9.6 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 2.6 TOV | .479 FG% | .406 3P%

This matchup spotlights two seniors who are capable of scoring in bunches while also contributing on glass, making them valuable pieces to their teams.

Kris Clyburn is a classic case of a feast or famine scorer, as he has had some of his best games against tough matchups, one being at New Mexico on January 8th, when he dropped 25 points in a key win at a tough venue. He has also pulled off some disappearing acts such as his 0-12 performance against San Jose State on February 16th.

Unlike Clyburn, Jordan Caroline is much more consistent as a scorer. His lone single digit performance came in Nevada’s second loss of the season against San Diego State on February 20th. What makes Caroline scarier for opponents is that he averages 18.6 and 19.8ppg on the road and in neutral site games respectively, as opposed to 17.7ppg in Reno. If the Southern Illinois transfer can maintain this consistency, the Wolf Pack could be a nightmare matchup come tournament time.

UNLV at Nevada Predictions and Odds

Nevada is heavily favoured against UNLV at home by 17.5 points. Oddsmakers also have set the over/under for the game at 149.5.