This is the 6th article in a series previewing each team and position rankings in the Mountain West leading up to the 2024-2025 basketball season
MW Rankings:
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #7 Colorado State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
8. San Jose State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #8 San Jose State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
9. Wyoming (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #9 Wyoming | Big Blue USU Aggie News
10. Air Force (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #10 Air Force | Big Blue USU Aggie News
11. Fresno State (Link): Mountain West Basketball Countdown – #11 Fresno State | Big Blue USU Aggie News
Prior Season Results and Predictions:
- Record: 19-13 overall, 12-6 conference
- My Prediction: Between 4th-7th in the conference
- Summary: UNLV finished 4th in conference play. They were led by the Boone twins and freshman phenom Dedan Thomas. UNLV finished out the year in the NIT and won at Princeton and at home vs. Boston College before ending the year with a loss at Seton Hall.
- All Conference Players/Other Awards: Kalib Boone (MW Honorable Mention), Luis Rodriguez (MW Defense), Keylan Boone (MW 3rd Team), Dedan Thomas (Co Freshman of the Year and MW 2nd Team)
Metrics for the last 5 Seasons:
- Conference Regular Season Winning %: 54.4% (ranked 6th in conference)
- Conference Regular Season Champion: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
- Conference Tournament Champion: 0 (Tied for 5th in the conference)
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0 (Tied for 8th in the conference)
- NCAA Tournament Wins: 0 (Tied for 4th in the conference)
2024-2025 Season Review:
Conference Prediction: #6 in the Mountain West
Overview: UNLV returns one of the top players in the league in Dedan Thomas. He will be surrounded by some other potential all-league guys in Jalen Hill (injured after 10 games last season) and Jailen Bedford (transfer from Oral Roberts). Reports are that Bear Cherry looks like a potential dominant big man. Team looks deep and talented and has the potential to compete at the top of the league and could be a potential NCAA team.
Production Returning: Scoring 42% (returning), Rebounding 40%, Assists 54%, Blocks 30%, Minutes 43%
Key losses: Keylan Boone (Graduation), Kalib Boone (Graduation), Luis Rodriguez (Graduation), Justin Webster (Graduation)
Key Returners: Dedan Thomas (Potential 1st team all-league at PG), Jalen Hill (Forward that was injured after 10 games last year, averaged double digit scoring), Rob Whaley (Potential All-MW 6th man), Isaiah Cottrell (big man, that has played a reserve role), Jacob Bannarbie (Redshirt who was a 3-star recruit)
Newcomers:
- James Evans: Freshman wing, ranked in the top 150 in the country
- Pape N’Diaye: 7’0″ foot freshman, was a top 100 HS player
- Bear Cherry: JC big man addition
- Jaden Henley: 6’7″ wing/guard transfer from Depaul. Averaged 9 ppg as a sophomore
- Jailen Bedford: 6’4″ guard. Averaged 15 ppg last year at Oral Roberts
- Jace Whiting: Boise State transfer
- Julian Rishwain: Florida transfer shooting guard. Injured last year, but average 7 ppg at Florida the prior year
- Faris Mucharbach: 6’10” freshman from Bishop Gorman. Likely redshirt
Strongest Position: PG, Dedan Thomas is a top 2 point guard in the Mountain West and Jace Whiting is a tough nosed back-up
Biggest Question Mark(s): Who will emerge at the center position? Word is that it will be Bear Cherry as the starter, but until we see how he performs at the D1 level this remains the biggest question mark for the team.
Projected Starters: Dedan Thomas (Guard), Jailen Bedford (Guard), Jaden Henley (Wing), Jalen Hill (Forward), Bear Cherry (Center)
Bench: Jace Whiting (Guard), Julian Rishwain (Guard), James Evans (Wing), Robert Whaley (Forward), Isaiah Cottrell (Center)
Potential All Conference Guys: Dedan Thomas, Jailen Bedford, Jalen Hill
Key Non-Conference Games: Ole Miss (Neutral), Washington (Neutral), VCU (Neutral), Colorado (Away)
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