UNLV is slated to take on Michigan in the MGM Main Event, a tournament also featuring Arizona and Wichita State.
UNLV will play Michigan and Arizona will play Wichita State in the first round, according to Jon Rothstein. This gives the Rebels the toughest possible matchup, as the Wolverines are coming off an Elite 8 run and could be in the top 10 again next season.
Whether or not that is good depends on your perspective for the season.
If UNLV is going to make a run to the NCAA Tournament, playing MIchigan is great. It will be a Quad I game, last year the Rebels played just seven Quad I games.
To build a strong case for the NCAA Tournament, UNLV needs quality opponents on the schedule (yes, losing to Michigan can help UNLV’s chances).
But if UNLV is simply going to survive in Kevin Kruger’s first year as a middle of the pack Mountain West team, playing Michigan is brutal.
If the Rebels have no chance at the NCAA Tournament, then a game against Michigan is likely a massive blowout with no real benefit.
UNLV will play Michigan on November 19 with a second game against either Wichita State or Arizona on November 21.
The full non-confere
nce schedule has not been released, but we do know most of the games.
Home games: UCLA, Cal, Omaha
Road games: SMU, San Francisco
Neutral site: Michigan, Arizona/Wichita State
UNLV is going to shock the Nation this year in basketball.
The roster that Kruger assembled will not only win the MWC but will also be in the NCAA tournament as a high seed.
They will have a deep run.
Just wait, this prophesy will happen.