Boise State Broncos Face UNLV Runnin’ Rebels in Key Mountain West Clash

The Boise State Broncos (11-4, 3-1) will host the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (9-5, 3-0) in a pivotal Mountain West Conference basketball game Tuesday night at ExtraMile Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Mountain Time, with both teams looking to solidify their standings in the conference.

The Broncos are coming off a tough loss to San Diego State, while UNLV enters the game riding a four-game winning streak. Boise State head coach Leon Rice has decided to end the redshirt status of Pearson Carmichael, a highly-touted 6-foot-7 swingman and two-time Class 5A state player of the year in Oregon, who will make his debut tonight.

Boise State guard RJ Keene II is sidelined with a nose injury sustained in the previous game, opening the door for freshman Chris Lockett Jr. to make his first college start. Lockett impressed with a career-high 16 points against San Diego State.

UNLV, one of only three undefeated teams in Mountain West play, has overcome early-season struggles to climb to the top of the conference standings. Head Coach Kevin Kruger emphasized the team’s resilience, saying, ‘A month ago, everyone had written us off and thought the season was over.’

Sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr. credited the coaching staff for keeping the team focused during their rough patch. ‘That was mostly our coaching staff just telling us to stay together and just keep going, keep working,’ Thomas said.

The Runnin’ Rebels’ recent success has been fueled by their commitment to recovery and practice intensity. Junior guard Jaden Henley highlighted the team’s competitive spirit, stating, ‘We take our recovery very seriously and obviously going hard every day at practice, we don’t take any reps off.’

The game will be broadcast on FS1, with both teams aiming to secure a crucial conference victory. Boise State will look to capitalize on their home-court advantage, while UNLV seeks to extend their winning streak and maintain their position atop the Mountain West.