The UNLV-BYU rivalry is set to be renewed Dec. 15 at T-Mobile Arena here in Las Vegas. Played as part of the Neon Hoops Showcase, the Runnin’ Rebels will get a crack at their old rivals from the Beehive State during a nationally-televised broadcast. The showcase, a benefit for Coaches vs Cancer, will also feature LSU taking on Saint Mary’s.
This will mark the sixth year of the showcase, which has featured past classic matchups such as UNLV-Duke. UNLV won the tournament last year in a victory over Utah, and the event was one of the first to take place inside what was the newly-built T-Mobile Arena back in 2016.
“We are excited to continue our tradition of playing on the Las Vegas Strip in December,” said UNLV head coach Marvin Menzies in a release. “UNLV and BYU have a strong basketball history and Coach Rose’s program has been successful for so many years. It will certainly be a challenge. We have had strong support from our fans in Las Vegas away from the Thomas & Mack Center and look forward to being at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 15.”
UNLV hasn’t squared off with Cougars since 2011, but the rivalry will always be passionate and contentious. The two programs have been going at it for decades now, with some of the Mountain West Conference’s best dogfights taking place between the pair. Most Rebels fans won’t soon forget rushing the court after winning the 2006-07 MWC championship.
Whether it was Jimmer Fredette firing a barrage of three-pointers from the upper deck snack bar to score 39 or Kevin Kruger to Wink Adams to Wendell White to Joel Anthony for the conference title and a Sweet 16 push, the two teams always bring the fight. Las Vegas has a great deal of BYU alumni lurking in its suburban sprawl too.
UNLV is looking to continue its growth under third-year coach Marvin Menzies, who led the Rebels to 20 wins last season. BYU finished 24-11 last season, the 13th consecutive season the program has reached 20 or more wins. Both teams should be looking for some brownie points with the selection committee and a win like this in the Neon Hoops Showcase would be a good start.
LSU comes into the Neon Hoops Showcase as a potential Top 25 team. The Tigers graded out as one of the top recruiting classes in all of Division-I basketball and returns one of the best point guard in the nation, Tremont Waters. Saint Mary’s won 28 games last season but was left out on Selection Sunday.
UNLV tips off with BYU at 5:30 p.m. followed by the LSU-Saint Mary’s game, which will air on ESPNU. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Aug. 31. Visit AXS.com, t-mobilearena.com, neonhoopsvegas.com, or by call 888-9AXSTIX to buy. UNLV season ticket holders also receive a discounted rate through UNLV Athletics.
“We have a great history with UNLV so we’re excited to renew that rivalry and to support Coaches vs. Cancer,” BYU head coach Dave Rose said. “Coach Menzies has a talented team and it’s always a challenge playing UNLV in Vegas. It will be a great test for our team and we are excited to see all of our Vegas BYU fans at the game.”
