UNLV moves up four spots in both polls, now No. 20 in AP Top 25

By Ryan Greene

Monday, Dec. 6, 2010 | noon

UNLV's pair of double-digit wins last week right after cracking the Top 25 polls only helped the Rebels move up higher Monday.

After checking in last week at No. 24 in the Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, they moved up four spots in each a week later to No. 20 and No. 19.

Following an 82-51 victory Wednesday at Illinois State and an 82-70 win Saturday night at rival Nevada-Reno, the Rebels are 8-0 for the first time since the 1990-91 season.

The Rebels currently are ranked No. 11 in the nation in RPI, and next play at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Orleans Arena against Boise State (6-1).

Duke (8-0) remained atop both polls as the unanimous No. 1.

As for the rest of the Mountain West, San Diego State (8-0) is now No. 14 in the AP poll following strong non-conference victories over St. Mary's and Wichita State, while BYU (8-0) is up to No. 18.

UNLV still has two marquee games remaining on its non-conference slate — on the road against both Louisville and Kansas State.

K-State (7-1) checked in this week at No. 5 in the AP poll, while Louisville (6-0), who UNLV will face at 9 a.m. Saturday, moved into the rankings for the first time this season. The Cardinals are No. 24 in the AP poll and are unranked in the coaches poll but occupy the second slot outside of the Top 25 with 37 votes.