Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Blog: Rebels explode for big win over Colorado State

0212_sun_UNLVvsUNR2

Steve Marcus

UNLV’s Amauri Hardy (3) lays up the ball during a game against UNR at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020.

Updated Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 | 9:29 p.m.

UNLV turned in perhaps its best performance of the season tonight in an 80-56 win over Colorado State.

The Rebels dominated CSU at both ends of the floor, but they especially put on a show on offense. Bryce Hamilton led the way with 25 points, but it was a team effort as the Rebels methodically picked apart the CSU defense by spacing the floor and driving at will. That led to layups and 3-pointers and a 50.0-percent shooting night for the home team.

Colorado State couldn't crack the Rebels' defense, as they shot 40.8 percent from the field and committed 13 turnovers.

UNLV improved to 9-6 in conference play and 14-14 overall. The Rebels are now in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Mountain West, knotted with Colorado State and Boise State.

The Rebels have now won two in a row, and if they want to extend their streak to three games they'll have to do it in epic fashion, as the next contest on the schedule is a road tilt at undefeated San Diego State on Saturday.

Rebels cruising to blowout win over Colorado State

After going into halftime with a 22-point lead, the Rebels simply had to withstand an early second-half push from Colorado State in order to secure a win tonight. UNLV did that, actually increasing their lead to 65-39 with 11:41 to play, and it looks like the Rebels are going to sail to their second straight win.

Bryce Hamilton continues to cook, as he's got 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Elijah Mitrou-Long has also made some outstanding plays early in the second half, and he's up to 14 points and two steals on the night.

UNLV blowing out Colorado State at half, 51-29

Have the Rebels stumbled upon something with this four-guard attack? Colorado State couldn't stop UNLV in the first half, and the Rebels have gone into the locker room with a 51-29 lead.

UNLV created tons of open shots by penetrating and kicking, the shooters have converted; the Rebels are 9-of-15 from 3-point range, paced by Jonah Antonio, who has made 3-of-4 from deep.

Bryce Hamilton has used the excess space on offense to put up 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while Antonio and Amauri Hardy have chipped in nine apiece. The Rebels are shooting 55.9 percent as a team and have assisted on 11 of 19 baskets.

Colorado State has helped the cause by suffering through a cold shooting half. The Rams made just 10-of-24 from the field and 5-of-12 from the free-throw line.

If UNLV can keep up this kind of performance for the next 20 minutes (and beyond), Rebels fans should be excited about the direction of the team as we enter the stretch run.

UNLV pouring it on Colorado State in first half

UNLV is taking it to Colorado State at both ends of the floor, and with 4:23 left in the first half the Rebels lead is up to 42-19.

Jonah Antonio hit back-to-back 3-pointers a moment ago, and Bryce Hamilton just splashed a triple from the corner to force Colorado State to call timeout. For the game, UNLV is 7-of-11 from beyond the arc, led by Antonio (3-of-4).

The Rebels are also doing the job defensively, as they've held CSU to 38.9 percent from the field. Freshman guard Isaiah Stevens scored 21 in the last meeting between these teams, but the Rebels have limited him to five points and two turnovers so far.

Rebels building big early lead over Colorado State

The Rebels started slow, but a 21-3 run over the last five minutes has vaulted UNLV to a 23-10 lead with 11:02 left in the first half.

T.J. Otzelberger made a change in his starting lineup by subbing in Vitaliy Shibel for Mbacke Diong at center, but CSU scored the first two buckets of the game. Diong was quickly inserted in Shibel's place and the Rebels haven't looked back since. UNLV is now shooting 76.9 percent (10-of-13 FGs), including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

The Rebels have also had some success on the boards, as they've already pulled down two offensive rebounds and converted them into five second-chance points.

Live blog: Three keys for UNLV basketball vs. Colorado State

If UNLV wants to make a push for a first-round bye in the Mountain West tournament, a win over Colorado State tonight would go a long way. The Rebels are currently in sixth place with a conference record of 8-6 while CSU is one-half game ahead at 9-6, and that half-game makes a huge difference, as CSU sits in third place.

Can UNLV win tonight to split the season series and improve its standing? Three keys to watch:

Perimeter defense

The last time these teams met, Colorado State nailed 11-of-17 from 3-point range in a 95-77 blowout of the Rebels. CSU guard Isaiah Stevens did the most damage from distance (5-of-5 3Gs), but the Rams have several players capable of getting hot and ruining UNLV’s night.

The Rebels have to be prepared to stretch their defense to the 3-point line in order to force Colorado State out of its catch-and-shoot rhythm. Stevens is capable of hurting UNLV off the dribble, but the rest of the CSU backcourt isn’t as efficient inside the arc. UNLV should crowd the 3-point line and funnel the Rams inside.

Four guards, one big

UNLV played four-guard lineups for more than 35 minutes against New Mexico, and it was a fairly effective strategy. Given the state of the rotation in the wake of Donnie Tillman’s season-ending injury, it’s a look we figure to see more and more over the final four games.

Over the course of the season, the Rebels’ best four-guard lineups have featured Vitaliy Shibel at center — not starter Mbacke Diong. It’s a small sample size, but UNLV is +4.8 points per 40 minutes with Shibel in the middle of super-small lineups, while the Rebels are -10.6 with Diong out there. If that holds up, Shibel could be a key tonight against Colorado State.

Make shots

A big reason UNLV was able to win at New Mexico on Saturday was the shooting performances of Marvin Coleman and Elijah Mitrou-Long. The two guards combined to his 7-of-9 from 3-point range, which was a huge boost for a team that is shooting just 31.2 percent from distance this year.

When the Rebels are spreading the floor with four guards, Amauri Hardy and Bryce Hamilton can have success driving to the rim. That casts Coleman and Mitrou-Long as the designated spot-up shooters, so if UNLV wants to operate at peak efficiency, they will have to continue making shots consistently.

TV: CBS Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.

UNLV: 13-14, 8-6 MWC (KenPom No. 126)

Coach: T.J. Otzelberger

Leading scorer: Bryce Hamilton, 15.3 points per game

Leading rebounder: Mbacke Diong, 8.2 rebounds per game

Leading assists: Elijah Mitrou-Long, 3.3 assists per game

Colorado State: 18-9, 9-5 MWC (KenPom No. 85)

Coach: Niko Medved

Leading scorer: Isaiah Stevens, 13.6 points per game

Leading rebounder: Nico Carvacho, 11.0 rebounds per game

Leading assists: Isaiah Stevens, 4.6 assists per game

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.

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