FSM Essential Preview: UNLV vs St. Katherine- Game 8

Photo Credit: UNLV Athletics

2021 UNLV vs. St. Katherine – Game 8

UNLV (1-6) vs. St. Katherine (0-9)

The Runnin’ Rebels return home to host the St. Katherine Firebirds.

UNLV Mens basketball returned this past week after having a month off. Unfortunately for the Runnin’ Rebels, they came back with two straight losses to their fellow Mountain West Conference opponent Colorado State, now bringing their record to 1-6. They will try to hit the reset button on the season starting with a win on Tuesday against St. Katherine.

The St. Katherine Firebirds are members of the NAIA and have started the season in the worst way possible with an 0-9 record. The worst part of the Firebirds, despite having a record of 0-9, is that the games have not been close. This will be their first action in a few weeks as their last game was played on Dec. 23 in a 75-39 loss at UCSD. The Firebirds have scored more than 50 points only twice in their nine games this season and have let up 75 points or more in every single game.

This game gives UNLV a chance for UNLV to see the depth on their roster.

Over the course of the season, the Runnin’ Rebels have been heavily relied on 3 players to carry the load of the team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Bryce Hamilton has led the way averaging 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. David Jenkins Jr. and Caleb Grill round out the big 3 from UNLV as they are the only other players on the team averaging more than 10 points a game.

Grill was cold shooting the ball their last game at Colorado State being held to 3 points. Hamilton and Jenkins kept UNLV in the game and gave them a last second chance to tie or win the game as Hamilton finished the game with 28 points and Jenkins finished with 29. Something UNLV will look for during the rest of the season is who can be that other guy that steps up and can provide an offensive spark. Whether its Nicquel Blake, Moses Wood, or another player, it would be huge for UNLV to get another big offensive contribution from the bench.

This game, hopefully, should allow some of those players who don’t see the court a lot for UNLV to finally get some action. Over the last two games, UNLV only used three players off the bench. This game, with the Runnin’ Rebels being heavy favorites can maybe give them the chance to play some of the younger guys who haven’t gotten much experience.

For St. Katherine, Junior guard Darius Jackson leads the team averaging 6 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist per game. The Firebirds will look to not only pull off a big upset against UNLV, but also get their first win of the season.

UNLV hopes to get back to their winning ways on Tuesday.

This should be a game that UNLV handles pretty easily. They can use it as a game to create momentum and confidence going into another Mountain West Conference series with New Mexico. ESPN Predictor gives UNLV a 99.6% chance to win the game. Now, these games are not always easy as some teams will look past their opponent thinking it will be an easy win and then end up getting upset. The Runnin’ Rebels will need to play their game and use it as a game to work on their mistakes. They will look to win their second game of the season against St. Katherine at home.