Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
UNLV guard Justin Hawkins is congratulated by teammates, from left, Anthony Marshall, Oscar Bellfield and Mike Moser after drawing a foul against Illinois during their game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at the United Center in Chicago. The Rebels beat the 19th-ranked Illini 64-48.
Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 | 10:06 a.m.
The UNLV basketball team is back in the national rankings.
Following a 16-point victory Saturday against Illinois at the United Center, the Rebels are ranked No. 21 in the newest Associated Press poll, which was released today. Illinois, which last week was ranked No. 19, dropped to No. 25.
This is the second time UNLV has been ranked this season, also breaking into the top-25 three weeks ago following a victory against North Carolina.
UNLV fell short of the top-25 the last two weeks, dropping tough road games at Wichita State and Wisconsin. The Rebels (11-2) host Louisiana Monroe at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center.
San Diego State, which will compete with UNLV for the Mountain West Conference title, received 67 votes in the poll and would be ranked No. 27.
Syracuse is still the No. 1 ranked team and North Carolina is No. 5. North Carolina was ranked No. 1 when it was upset by UNLV.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
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