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UNLV Basketball: Takeaways from upset win over unbeaten San Diego State

By Jason Burgess

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 01: UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb spins a basketball on his finger before the team's game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the Thomas & Mack Center on December 01, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bearcats defeated the Rebels 65-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 01: UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb spins a basketball on his finger before the team's game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the Thomas & Mack Center on December 01, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bearcats defeated the Rebels 65-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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UNLV Basketball
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – FEBRUARY 15: Cheikh Mbacke Diong #34 of the UNLV Rebels (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

UNLV Basketball went into Viejas Arena and knocked off the lone unbeaten No. 4 San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday night, in one of the bigger upsets of the season.

The No. 4 San Diego State is having a storied season under first-year head coach Brian Dutcher, but on Saturday night at home, one goal became unattainable as they became the last team in college basketball to suffer a loss as UNLV Basketball (15-14, 10-6) went into Viejas Arena and came away with a 66-63 victory.

Ironically, Viejas is usually a safe haven for the Aztecs but during their undefeated run, the closest game they had, a two-point win over San Jose State also came at home. UNLV has been a tough out for the Aztecs only beating them 71-67 in Las Vegas. Only two of the 13 other league wins for the Aztecs (26-1, 15-1) had come by single digits.

UNLV has had an up-and-down season thus far under their own first-year coach T.J. Otzelberger. With this being the biggest win for the team by far gives them a 10-6 mark in the Mountain West with games against Boise State and San Jose State before the conference tournament, which takes place on the home floor of the Runnin’ Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Rebels had gone just 3-5 over their eight games prior to this matchup, but this win should give them confidence that they can play with anybody in the conference.

This win can be considered one of the most surprising of the season in college basketball, considering how difficult road victories have been all year long. Here are some takeaways from the big upset on Saturday night.