Nevada vs UNLV Prediction College Basketball Picks 2/17/24

The Nevada Wolf Pack will make the lengthy in-state trip down to Las Vegas to face the UNLV Rebels for a Mountain West matchup from the Thomas Mack Center on the CBS Sports Network. UNLV comes in as narrow 1.5-point home favorites, with the total hovering 141.5. Stay tuned for our Nevada vs UNLV Prediction. 

Nevada Wolf Pack Preview

Nevada fell to 19-6 after losing to New Mexico at home by one, 83-82. The Wolf Pack had their rally cut just short by the Lobos, and they’ll look to pin win number 20 here in Vegas.  Nevada is scoring 76.5 points per game, on 47.2% shooting, while allowing 63.3 ppg, and they’re currently 7th in the MWC with a 6-5 record in league play. The Wolf Pack are 9-1 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 4-3 on the road this season. Nevada will take on Wyoming after this game.

Nevada Team Profile

• Veteran guard Jarod Lucas has cooled off since the start of conference play, but he still leads Nevada in scoring (17.6).
• Orlando native Kenan Blackshear went for a game-high 22 points in the win over AFA, and he’s averaging 16.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and a team-leading 4.7 apg.
• Sophomore forward Nick Davidson double-doubled in the Air Force victory, and he leads the Pack in boards (7.1), while scoring 10.7 ppg.

UNLV Rebels Preview

UNLV enters at 14-9 after defeating Fresno State by two on the road, 67-65. The Rebels completed the second half comeback to down the Bulldogs, and they’ll seek a sixth straight win here versus the Wolf Pack. Nevada is scoring 75.0 points per game, on 47.2% shooting, while allowing 63.3 ppg, and they’re currently 4th in the MWC with a 7-4 record in league play. The Rebels are 9-1 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 8-3 in Las Vegas this season. 

UNLV Team Profile

• Freshman guard Dedan Thomas Jr. came thru with a game-high 25 points in the road win over New Mexico, and he leads UNLV in scoring (12.4) and assists (5.9). 
• Tulsa native Keylan Boone has scored 15 points or more in three of the last five games, and he’s averaging 11.9 ppg and 6.7 rpg.
• Senior swingman Luis Rodriguez leads the Rebels in rebounding (6.9), while scoring 11.7 ppg.  

Nevada vs UNLV Trends

• NEV is 15-9 against the spread, with a 9-15 O/U record
• UNLV is 13-8 ATS, with a 13-8 over/under record.

Nevada vs UNLV Prediction

UNLV’s recent stretch of play warrants them as home favorites here in Vegas, but they will have to come to play against an angry Nevada team on the heels of a one-point loss to New Mexico, and this may be a spot to take the underdog shot with the visitors. These schools match up perfectly, both with size and experience, so this could wind up being a really good game. The Over will be in play, as the hosts like to get out and run, but I like rolling the dice on Nevada for this late-night spot in the Mountain West. 

Corey Ghee's Pick: Nevada TO WIN