UNLV Rebels Charge into NIT with Championship Ambitions After Surprise Bid

A Shocking Postseason Lifeline (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)

Las Vegas – The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball team discovered an unexpected extension to their season when they secured a bid to the National Invitation Tournament. Eliminated from the Mountain West Conference tournament just days earlier, the Rebels quickly shifted focus to a postseason opportunity many had not anticipated. Coach Josh Pastner and his players expressed immediate enthusiasm for the chance to compete further and build momentum.[1][2]

A Shocking Postseason Lifeline

The Rebels entered Selection Sunday without firm expectations of postseason play. They had fallen to top-seeded Utah State 80-60 in the Mountain West quarterfinals at the Thomas & Mack Center. That loss capped a 1-1 tournament showing after an opening-round victory over Wyoming.

UNLV wrapped the regular season with a 17-16 overall record and 11-9 mark in conference play. The team notched four wins against Quad 1 opponents, a feat that caught the eye of tournament selectors. Pastner waited for the NIT bracket reveal before rallying the squad, confirming their inclusion as an unseeded participant.[1]

Players Fire Up with Unwavering Resolve

Reactions poured in swiftly once the news broke. Guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn recalled a nap interrupted by Pastner’s call. “I remember I was taking a nap, and I woke up with Coach Pastner calling,” he said. “He said we were playing on Tuesday night, and that we were leaving today after practice. I love to play. I love to compete, just as Coach Pastner does.”[1]

The sentiment echoed across the roster. Players voiced a collective drive to seize the moment. “They were like, ‘Let’s go win a championship, coach,’” Pastner recounted. “There wasn’t even a sense of (hesitation).” Freshman forward Tyrin Jones and guard Issac Williamson committed fully, with the latter rushing back from California for practice. No one opted out despite transfer portal considerations.[1]

Road Test Against UC Irvine

UNLV opens against No. 4 seed UC Irvine on Tuesday at 8 p.m. PT in the Bren Events Center. The game airs on ESPNU. The Anteaters enter at 23-11 after claiming the Big West regular-season title but losing the tournament championship to Hawaii.

The teams hold a lopsided history, with UNLV leading 32-9 overall. They last met in 2012. Notably, guard Myles Che transferred from UC Irvine to the Rebels this season, though a foot injury sidelined him. The winner advances to face the victor between No. 1 seed Tulsa and Stephen F. Austin in the second round.[2][3]

• UNLV’s all-time NIT record: 10-12 in 11 prior appearances.
• Best finish: Semifinals in 1980.
• Recent: Quarterfinal loss to Seton Hall in 2024.
• Mountain West peers in NIT: Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado State, Wyoming.

Momentum Under First-Year Coach Pastner

Pastner, in his debut season, guided UNLV to seven wins in their final 11 games. “We’re excited to receive an invitation to the NIT and grateful for the opportunity to continue our season,” he stated. “Any time you get the chance to keep competing with your group, it’s something you appreciate.”[2]

The coach emphasized resilience after the conference setback. “You can’t be laying in a fetal position and just want to stay down on the canvas. You’ve got to get up and fight back,” Pastner said. Gibbs-Lawhorn echoed the forward-looking approach: “We need all the momentum we can get. That’s one of the things that I want to help Coach Pastner with, just get this thing going for next year and get a lot of notoriety to UNLV.”[1]

This marks the Rebels’ first postseason action since the 2013 NCAA Tournament. The NIT run offers a platform to showcase talent and set the stage for future success.

The Rebels departed Las Vegas on a charter bus Monday, ready to extend their season deep into April if momentum holds. This NIT bid transforms a conference disappointment into a championship pursuit, highlighting the program’s renewed fight. What do you think of UNLV’s chances? Tell us in the comments.