UNLV Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Runnin' Rebels

UNLV Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Runnin’ Rebels

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Assistant coaches Tim Buckley and Kevin Kruger, head coach T.J. Otzelberger, assistant coach DeMarlo Slocum and director of basketball operations DeShawn Henry of the UNlV Rebels stand on the court as the American national anthem is performed before their game against the Texas State Bobcats at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bobcats defeated the Rebels 64-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Marvin Coleman UNLV Basketball (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Schedule opportunities

Having been on the UNLV staff since 2019, Kruger likely had an idea of what kind of schedule the Rebels had coming down the pipe, but probably had little idea that he would be the one leading the team. For a team with so many new faces, sometimes just as important as wins and losses is the chemistry building that takes place on the floor early in the season. This means, for a team like UNLV, every game is a test against their opponents and for themselves.

The season for the Runnin’ Rebels begins with three games at the Thomas & Mack with Gardner-Webb, California, and North Dakota State. Then the fun begins, Las Vegas hosts the Roman Main Event with a game against Michigan and then either gets Arizona or Wichita State.

Just after Thanksgiving UCLA comes to town before they hit the road to face SMU and San Francisco in a couple of games that will be a good gauge for UNLV. When they return from San Francisco, they won’t leave Las Vegas until league play starts. They host Seattle and Hartford at the Michelob Ultra Arena followed by Omaha and San Diego coming in for a visit.

Conference play begins with a tilt against San Diego State and a road game against a resurgent San Jose State team. By far the toughest stretch of the UNLV schedule happens from mid-January through early February when they go San Diego State, Colorado State, and Utah State and host Nevada and San Jose State.

It’s hard to get a feel for what kind of team UNLV will be, but the Thomas & Mack is no longer the intimidating venue it used to be and as a result, every game will be a battle. As I said earlier, these games for the Runnin’ Rebels will be about them as a team as much as they will be about wins and losses.