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Bracketology 2023: UNLV, UConn, and Alabama with key matchups to watch

By Jason Burgess

Feb 21, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Big East logo on the court at the Wells Fargo Center before a game between the Villanova Wildcats and the DePaul Blue Demons. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Big East logo on the court at the Wells Fargo Center before a game between the Villanova Wildcats and the DePaul Blue Demons. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bracketology Keshon Gilbert #10 of the UNLV Rebels (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
Bracketology Keshon Gilbert #10 of the UNLV Rebels (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

San Diego State Aztecs at UNLV Runnin’ Rebels

Saturday, December 31, Las Vegas, NV, 4:00 PM ET, CBS

The Mountain West has had one of the most successful first two months of the season of any conference in the country. Eight of the 11 teams enter the week with four or fewer losses and now it’s time to focus on each other. What better way to spend New Year’s Eve than in Las Vegas watching UNLV (11-1) host San Diego State (9-3)?

Some wondered after they scored 80-plus points in their first two games and hung 88 on Ohio State in Maui if this year might be different for the offensively-challenged Aztecs. But, since that game in Hawaii, they’ve reached that plateau just once against a division I opponent, Kennesaw State. Kevin Kruger’s Runnin’ Rebels have been a bit of a surprise, suffering their first and only loss of the season last week in the final seconds against San Francisco. UNLV’s schedule to date hasn’t been daunting, but the veteran-laden squad does hold wins over a Dayton team before their injury bug, Minnesota and Washington State.

San Diego State was the clear favorite of the Mountain West early on and was seen as a team with top-4 seed potential they were quickly joined by Utah State, UNLV, and one of the three remaining unbeatens, New Mexico and suddenly the Mountain West is a whole lot more than the Aztecs. Brian Dutcher’s defense is still as good as ever, not having allowed more than 70 points since their last game in Maui. Entering the week that sees them host Air Force before the meeting with UNLV, they’ve allowed just over 55 points per game over their last four.

Now with league play upon them a lot of questions will soon be answered. Can they find that offensive punch again that could separate them from the crowd? Are they still the odds-on favorite and who will be their biggest competition?

Next. Latest top-25 power rankings. dark

This is a game where both teams could use a quality win, the Aztecs haven’t had one since beating Ohio State in Maui and the Runnin’ Rebels have played just two games that land in the first two quads, both wins.

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