13 things to know ahead of today's UNLV game
-
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels practiced Wednesday for their game against Cal in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Video by ktnv.com
video -
March Madness begins today and Las Vegas is busy with people placing bets and getting ready to watch basketball games. Video by ktnv.com
video -
-
-
-
-
-
Baby Rebel!
-
-
UNLV player Carlos Lopez-Sosa signs autograph before boarding bus.
-
UNLV player Carlos Lopez-Sosa boards bus to begin journey to San Jose.
-
-
-
-
-
UNLV fans come together to wish the Rebels well in the Tournament
-
-
-
-
#2 Khem Birch, Forward (L) with #13 Bryce Dejean-Jones (R)
-
UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball, Head Coach, Dave Rice
-
#43 Mike Moser, Forward (Junior)
-
UNLV President, Neal Smatresk (L) with UNLV Athletic Director, Jim Livengood (R)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are set to take on the Cal Bears today as NCAA Tournament action gets started.
Here are 13 things to know ahead of today's UNLV game:
Tip-off is at 4:27 p.m. Pacific Time in San Jose, California.
The game will be broadcasted live on truTV.
HP Pavilion, where the game takes place, is 384 miles from the UNLV campus and just 45 miles from Cal's campus.
Coach Dave Rice's squad earned themselves a 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament after going 25-9 during the regular season. The Golden Bears enter as a 12 seed after finishing the season 20-11.
Both basketball programs have won the NCAA Championship once. UNLV went all the way in 1990, and Cal won it all back in 1959.
Both teams were invited to the NCAA Tournament last year, but had disappointing showings. Cal lost in the First Round, while UNLV lost in the Second Round.
UNLV and Cal have already played each other once this season. The Runnin' Rebels won the game 76-75 on Cal's home court.
Today's likely starters for the Runnin' Rebels are Anthony Bennett, Mike Moser, Anthony Marshall, Katin Reinhardt and Bryce Dejean-Jones.
Key wins for the Rebels this season include beating San Diego State, Iowa State, New Mexico and CSU.
Coach Dave Rice had this to say about making it to Big Dance this year: "The number one goal every year is to try to get to the NCAA Tournament. We had a very good year. We had tremendous progress. We had some games that didn't go our way but we always bounced back. We're excited to be a part of the NCAA Tournament."
The Rebels aren't the only Mountain West team to make it to the Big Dance. Five teams in the MWC will be showing what they're made of as Tournament action gets underway.
Las Vegas sports books have UNLV favored to win against Cal by 3.5 points.
If the Runnin' Rebels win today against Cal, they'll go on to face the winner of the Montana vs. Syracuse game.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.