Rough Week Leads to Free Fall in Polls for Rebels | Sports

LAS VEGAS – Two road losses last week sent the Runnin’ Rebels tumbling in the national college basketball rankings.

UNLV and San Diego State both absorbed upset losses last week. The Rebels dropped nine slots to No. 20 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll after a 65-45 loss Saturday at New Mexico and a 102-97 overtime loss Tuesday at TCU. The Aztecs fell to the final spot in the poll at No. 25 – from No. 15 – after a 58-56 loss to Air Force.

UNLV shot down 10 spots to No. 21 in the Associated Press poll, while New Mexico checked in at No. 18, marking the Lobos' first ranking this year.

The Rebels (22-6, 6-4) are now two games off the pace of the conference-leading Lobos, sitting in a second-place tie with the Aztecs. Beginning with Wednesday night’s home tilt against Boise State, UNLV has three games remaining before the Mountain West tournament that begins March 8 at the Thomas & Mack Center.