Nevada (16-12, 8-9 MW) vs. UNLV (15-13, 9-8 MW)
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 
Las Vegas, Nevada - Thomas & Mack Center 8 p.m. (PST)

TV: FS1 (PxP: Nick Koop; Analyst: Matt Muehlbach)
Radio: Wolf Pack Radio Network/ 95.5 FM KNEV (PxP: John Ramey; Analyst: Nick Fazekas)

RENO, Nev. – The Nevada Wolf Pack will travel south to take on in-state rival UNLV in a pivotal Silver State Series matchup on Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The tip-off for this highly anticipated matchup is set for 8 p.m. PST. The game will be broadcast on FS1, with Nick Koop delivering the play-by-play and Matt Muehlbach as your analyst. Fans in Northern Nevada can listen to all Nevada men's basketball games on terrestrial radio at 95.5 FM KNEV with John Ramey and Nick Fazekas. Additionally, all games are available online through the Varsity Network app and are accessible from any location with internet access.

This marks the season's second meeting between the two Mountain West foes. Nevada claimed the first contest with a 71-65 victory in Reno on February 1. Now, the Wolf Pack (16-12, 8-9 MW) will look to complete the season sweep, while the Rebels (15-13, 9-8 MW) aim to defend their home court and even the series.Nevada enters the contest, averaging 73.5 points per game while allowing 67.5 points per contest, boasting a +6.0 scoring margin.

UNLV, meanwhile, is scoring 69.6 points per game while giving up 68.4 points per game. The Wolf Pack holds slight statistical advantages in field goal percentage 48.0 percent vs. 44.6 percent and rebounding margin +1.8 vs. -2.3. Still, the Rebels have shown defensive grit, allowing opponents to shoot just 42.5 percent from the field.Nevada's senior forward, Nick Davidson, has been a consistent force, leading the team with 16.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Alongside him, guard Kobe Sanders is coming off an intense stretch, averaging 15.2 points per contest. Their performances will be crucial as the Wolf Pack looks to secure a key road win.

One of the major storylines entering this game is the absence of UNLV's standout guard, Dedan Thomas Jr., who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Thomas, the Rebels' leading scorer and playmaker, has been a dynamic force this season, averaging 15.6 points and 4.6 assists per game. His absence shifts more responsibility onto teammates like Jaden Henley and Jailen Bedford to carry the team from Las Vegas.

Friday's matchup carries extra weight for Nevada head coach Steve Alford, who is on the brink of reaching a historic milestone. A win over UNLV would mark Alford's 700th career victory as a head coach, a testament to his long-standing success in college basketball. Now in his sixth season with the Wolf Pack, Alford has led Nevada to multiple postseason appearances and has played a key role in re-establishing the program as a Mountain West contender.

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