UNLV (7-2)

■ Coach: Probable starters Player Pos. Ht. Ppg.

team. After this game, the Rebels play at Pacific (No. 224) and at home against Mississippi Valley State (last at No. 351) and Northern Colorado (No. 207).

Once the Rebels get to Mountain West play beginning Dec. 30 against Boise State, they will find more competition. UNR (No. 33), San Diego State (No. 59), Boise State (No. 61) and Fresno State (No. 70) are ranked ahead of the Rebels.

Their NCAA hopes still come down to three games in three days in March at the conference tournament. Lunardi placed only UNR in the tournament in his latest forecast.

If UNLV continues to improve, the Rebels could put themselves in position to win the conference tournament.

Or, at the least, make the National Invitation Tournament for the first time in nine years.

Not that Rebels fans have a burning desire to watch their team reach the NIT, but considering what UNLV went through last season, that could be the next logical step. Long term, though, fans demand a return to the NCAA Tournament and opponents that can get the Rebels there.

More opponents like Illinois and fewer like Mississippi Valley State.

“I think mentally you probably get focused more for those type of games obviously because you want to take advantage of those opportunities when you have a chance to play a Power Five team,” UNLV guard Jovan Mooring said. “So I think we’re up for the challenge.”

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.