They were rededicating the court at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and paying UT Martin to come be a part of the celebration, but for the second straight season, coach Jeremy Shulman’s team ruined someone’s festivities.
The Skyhawks defeated the Runnin’ Rebels by the score of 88-81.
Magnitude of the Upset
UNLV came into the contest ranked nearly 200 spots higher in the preseason KenPom.com rankings. On the night they were rededicating the court during the pregame ceremony, it was UTM that was celebrating afterwards. Jerry and Lois Tarkanian Court, honoring the Hall of Fame coach was also the scene of UNLV head coach Josh Pastner’s first game with UNLV.
UTM defeated eventual CBI champion Illinois State in last year’s opening game.
Two Skyhawk players, played the games of their lives. Andrija Bukumirovic and Dragos Lungu each scored a career-high 23-points as they combined to convert 15 of their 21 total shots. Bukumirovic buried five of his seven three-point attempts.
Coach Schulman told Utmsports.com that his team has a high degree of belief.
"I'm kind of speechless but obviously, I'm just so proud of our guys," Skyhawk head coach said. "We talk about belief daily in this program – this feels amazing but in some ways it's not a surprise. I'll always roll with this team – their buy-in, their work ethic and their sacrifices have been very special."
UTM trailed throughout the first half, but closed the gap to the intermission deficit of just four points. The Skyhawks connected on eleven second half triples as four of five starters reached double figures in the scoring column.
Matas Deniusas scored 11 points and Filip Radakovic added ten and the Skyhawks forced UNLV into 22 turnovers. Seven different Skyhawks recorded at least one steal.
What's Next?
UNLV hopes to regroup Saturday when they host Chattanooga and the Skyhawks return home to face Kentucky Christian on Sunday.