UNLV basketball:

Global Sports Classic highlights Rebels’ non-conference schedule

UNLV will play home games against Oregon and either Cincinnati or Iowa State for the big games of the Global Sports Classic

Image

Sam Morris

A UNLV fan cheeers surrounded by University of North Carolina fans during the Las Vegas Invitational championship game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 at the Orleans Arena. The Rebels upset the number one ranked Tar Heels 90-80.

Mon, Jul 9, 2012 (8:30 a.m.)

UNLV basketball released its non-conference schedule late Sunday night, and the slate features a road game at North Carolina and a home tournament right after Thanksgiving.

The Rebels will face three NCAA Tournament teams from last season and six total teams that played in the postseason. UNLV’s first two games against Northern Arizona (Nov. 12) and Jacksonville State (Nov. 17) are preliminary rounds of the Global Sports Classic, but the meat of the tournament takes place Nov. 23-24, bringing in Oregon, Cincinnati and Iowa State. The Rebels will face the Ducks on Friday, then either the Bearcats or Cyclones on Saturday depending on the results.

“We are pleased to have put together a schedule that will challenge our team and prepare us for an extremely competitive conference,” UNLV coach Dave Rice said in a statement.

UNLV’s first road game isn’t until Tues., Dec. 4, at Portland, a sort-of homecoming for junior forward Mike Moser. As per usual that time of year for the Rebels, they won’t play at the Thomas & Mack Center for 18 days. That stretch includes three road games (Portland, California and UTEP) and one home game against La Verne, a Division III school, that will be played at Orleans Arena because of the National Finals Rodeo.

That first game back at the Mack against Northern Iowa on Dec. 19 will be an even bigger welcome home as it should be the home debut for sophomore forward Khem Birch. A Pittsburgh transfer in the middle of last season, Birch must sit out the first semester. He’s expected to be eligible for UNLV’s game at UTEP on Mon., Dec. 17.

The most-anticipated game on the schedule is Sat., Dec. 29 at North Carolina. After UNLV’s big victory against the then-No. 1 Tar Heels last season, both fan bases are hungry for more. North Carolina lost four players to the NBA draft, but it has reloaded with the No. 8-ranked recruiting class, just one spot behind UNLV.

Last year the Rebels ranked in the top 25 (No. 17) in home attendance for the fourth consecutive season. For information on purchasing season tickets in the lower plaza level, call the Rebel Athletic Fund at 702-895-1533. For tickets at all other levels, call 702-739-3267 or go to UNLVtickets.com.

UNLV's 2012-13 non-conference schedule (home games in bold):

Wed., Nov. 7 — Dixie State (Exhibition)

Mon., Nov. 12 — Northern Arizona

Sat., Nov. 17 — Jacksonville State

Fri., Nov. 23 — Oregon

Sat., Nov. 24 — Cincinnati/Iowa State

Wed., Nov. 28 — UC Irvine

Sat., Dec. 1 — Hawaii

Tues., Dec. 4 — at Portland

Sun., Dec. 9 — at California

Thurs., Dec. 13 — La Verne (Orleans Arena)

Mon., Dec. 17 — at UTEP

Wed., Dec. 19 — Northern Iowa

Sat., Dec. 22 — Canisius

Sat., Dec. 29 — at North Carolina

Thurs., Jan. 3 — Chicago State

Sat., Jan. 5 — CSU Bakersfield

Back to top

SHARE

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy