RUNNIN’ REBELS TO CLOSE OUT NON-CONFERENCE SEASON AGAINST SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Thursday’s game set for 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center; Teams are a combined 21-2 this season
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After the suffering its first loss of the season on Saturday, the UNLV men’s basketball team (10-1) will look to get back on track as it hosts Southern Mississippi (11-1) on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center in its final non-conference game of the season.
LAST TIME OUT: For the first time in 11 games this season, the Runnin’ Rebels came out on the losing end as San Francisco scored the game’s final 11 points in a 75-73 decision Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV (10-1) was led by EJ Harkless’ 21 points, while Luis Rodriguez contributed 17 with seven rebounds and three steals. David Muoka also had seven rebounds, while Keshon Gilbert dished out six assists. UNLV entered the day as one of only seven remaining unbeaten teams in the country and its 10-0 start was the Runnin’ Rebels’ best in 32 years (1990-91).
ABOUT THE ROSTER: This season’s UNLV squad features six returners, nine newcomers, including six transfers from the Division I level, and a total of 10 upperclassmen. The lone returning starter is 6-foot guard Jordan McCabe, who was a senior last season and returns for his fifth year for 2022-23. Other returners include 6-3 senior guard Justin Webster, 6-10 senior center David Muoka, 6-4 sophomore guard Keshon Gilbert, 6-7 senior forward Victor Iwuakor and 6-3 senior guard Cameron Burist.
The newcomers include 6-10 redshirt sophomore forward Isaiah Cottrell, who is originally from Las Vegas and transferred to UNLV from West Virginia, 6-7 freshman guard Keyshawn Hall from Cleveland, Ohio, 6-3 fifth-year guard EJ Harkless, who transferred from Oklahoma, 5-11 sophomore guard Jackie Johnson III, who transferred from Duquesne, 6-10 junior forward Karl Jones, who transferred from LA Southwest College, 6-6 sophomore guard Shane Nowell, who transferred from Arizona, 6-4 fifth-year guard Elijah Parquet, who transferred from Colorado, 6-6 senior guard Luis Rodriguez, who transferred from Ole Miss and 6-1 junior guard Nick Walters, who transferred from the College of Southern Nevada.
After 11 contests, Harkless leads the team in scoring with 15.2 ppg and is contributing 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Gilbert is second on the team in scoring with 14.6 ppg, while shooting 52.0% from the field and 51.5% on 3-pointers, while averaging 3.9 assists (team high) and 2.0 steals per game. Rodriguez is also averaging double figures in scoring at 12.4 ppg, while averaging 5.6 rpg and a team-leading 2.5 spg (19th in the country). David Muoka is leading the team in rebounding and blocks with 6.3 rpg and 1.6 bpg.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT: Southern Mississippi started the season 8-0 before dropping its first game. The Golden Eagles are coming off an 86-67 home win over McNeese on Sunday. Southern Miss. has three players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by Felipe Haase with 17.4 ppg. Austin Crowley is second in scoring at 16.0 ppg. Haase also lead the team in rebounding at 7.1 rpg. Mo Arnold is the team’s assist leader (3.8 apg) and Crowley leads in steals (2.6 spg). Southern Mississippi ranks fifth in the country in scoring margin at 20.8 ppg. The Golden Eagles are seventh in the nation in turnover margin (7.0), 17th in scoring defense (59.6) and 18th in steals per game (9.9). Southern Miss., who is 11-1 for the first time in 32 years, finished the 2021-22 season with an overall record of 7-26, finishing last in Conference USA’s West Division. This season’s team was picked to finish 13th in the Sun Belt’s preseason poll. Haase was named to the preseason all-conference second team. The Golden Eagles’ 16-man roster includes 14 upperclassmen. Southern Miss. is coached by Jay Ladner, who is in his fourth season at the school with a record of 35-66 (.347) and is in his ninth season overall as a head coach with a career mark of 111-154 (.419).
TICKETS: UNLV men’s basketball season ticket pricing has been adjusted for the 2022-23 season, with affordability and family-friendly value at the forefront of the changes. Tickets may be purchased online at UNLVtickets.com, on the phone by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or in person at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
PROMOTIONS: Thursday will mark another $2 Beer Night (available through halftime, one concession stand) and an opportunity to get a picture with Santa.
BROADCAST INFO: Thursday’s game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network in addition to the Silver State Sports and Entertainment Network (Cox 125 and over the air digital 5.2) with Matt Neverett and Steve Cofield calling the action. Jon Sandler and former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas. All streaming links and live stats will be available at UNLVRebels.com and through the UNLV Rebels App.
