Blog: Rebels sloppy at Wyoming, lose 59-57 for third straight defeat

By Taylor Bern

Published Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 | 12:57 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 | 5:20 p.m.

Wyoming 59, UNLV 57

Game over

The last shot of the game, and potentially in coach Dave Rice's tenure, was an off-balanced 3-pointer from a guy who finished the game 0-for-6. The Rebels committed at least 18 turnovers for the third straight game, a third straight loss.

This one was a 59-57 setback at Wyoming, a team that spent the first 10 minutes looking like they had no idea what they were doing. Then that was UNLV for most of the game.

The Rebels led 22-5 in the first half but that deficit was down to two before halftime, then they traded the lead with Wyoming for most of the remaining game. Jason McManamen led all scorers with 17 points, but there wasn't much in the way of offense from either side.

This was an ugly affair, which means it was exactly what Wyoming wanted. And with the pressure mounting, it could prove to be too much for Rice to survive.

Check lasvegassun.com later tonight for a full report from the Rebels' defeat.

The proving stage is set today at Arena-Auditorium, because while a victory won’t necessarily save UNLV’s season, another loss would all but sink it and could lead to a coaching change.

Today’s game tips off at 3 p.m. Las Vegas time and will air on CBS Sports Network.

UNLV (9-6, 0-2) is searching for its first Mountain West victory against Wyoming (8-8, 1-2), which is searching for anyone beyond senior guard Josh Adams to produce. UNLV coach Dave Rice’s tenure could very well come down to stopping a one-man team on the road, although speculation about the fifth-year coach’s job status is still mostly that, speculation.

But make no mistake, a loss would put everything is on the table. This season so far has closely resembled the 2014-15 campaign that landed UNLV at seventh in the league and nearly cost Rice his job. So if that was nearly the last straw, what’s the result of heading down the same road?

The Vegas books have responded to a large, moneyed opinion that the Rebels will pull this out as they are 6.5-point favorites today.

The Kenpom.com projected score is usually within two points of the posted line. UNLV-Colorado State was 3.5 points off in UNLV’s favor, and today it’s 5.5 towards the Rebels.

The differing numbers likely have at least a little something to do with UNLV’s back being against the wall. No one knows for sure that a loss would be Rice’s last game as UNLV’s coach, but that prospect is at least out there to the point that players are certainly aware.

That has led to a lot of people betting on UNLV to come up big when Rice needs it most. Can the Rebels deliver?

Prediction: I was thinking this would be an 8- to 10-point UNLV victory, and that could still be the case, but looking at it more there’s just too much value on the home team to go anywhere else. It’s on the Rebels to prove it. UNLV 71, Wyoming 66

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.