UNLV Basketball: Takeaways from win over unbeaten San Diego State

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

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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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – FEBRUARY 15: Head coach T.J. Otzelberger of the UNLV Rebels (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Elijah Mitrou-Long continues his strong play

The final takeaway for me is the continued emergence of senior guard Elijah Mitrou-Long as a reliable third scorer for UNLV behind sophomore Bryce Hamilton and junior Amauri Hardy. Hamilton and Hardy have been the focal point of the UNLV offense all year as the duo have combined to take 735 shots on the season, and even though they are the leading scorers for UNLV, Mitrou-Long has been more assertive of late for the Runnin’ Rebels, giving them someone to take the pressure off of Hamilton and Hardy.

The senior transfer from Texas led the team in scoring in this big upset with 19 points off the bench and secured the win knocking down four big free throws in the final 20 seconds. Over his last four games, he has averaged over 15 points per game, up from his 11.6 season average and is shooting 40% from beyond the arc, but the big thing is that he is looking for his shot more. He has attempted 49 shots over his last four games and has double-digit field goal attempts in each of those games, doubling his season total of games with 10-plus shots taken.

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An aggressive Mitrou-Long gives UNLV another option on offense and also gives defenses someone else to focus on, and the senior is peaking at the right time for UNLV.