UNLV's men's basketball team will compete in the 2026 NIT against No. 4 seed UC Irvine on March 17, following a successful stretch where they won seven of their last 11 games. The Runnin' Rebels enter the tournament with a record of 17-16, showcasing strong offensive stats, including an average of 79.4 points per game. Coach Josh Pastner, in his first season with the team, has led them through significant roster changes, with many new players after a challenging season marked by injuries. The game will be held at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center and broadcast on ESPNU.

By the Numbers
  • UNLV averages 79.4 points per game, ranking 1st in the Mountain West.
  • Gibbs-Lawhorn leads the team with 20.7 points per game, 1st in the Mountain West and 22nd in the NCAA.
State of Play
  • UNLV recently lost to Utah State in the Mountain West quarterfinals after defeating Wyoming.
  • UC Irvine (23-11) lost in the Big West Tournament finals but secured the regular-season title.
What's Next

The winner of the UNLV and UC Irvine matchup will advance in the NIT, with implications for both teams' postseason trajectories. UNLV aims to capitalize on its recent performance and momentum to make a deeper run.

Bottom Line

UNLV's tournament participation marks a pivotal moment for the program under new leadership. Their performance against UC Irvine will be critical not only for this season but also for building future momentum.