The UNLV Men’s Basketball team, famously known as the Runnin' Rebels, has officially concluded its 2025-26 campaign. For fans looking for the current schedule, it is important to note that as of late April 2026, the season has wrapped up following the Mountain West Championship. The university and the athletics department typically unveil the schedule for the subsequent season, 2026-27, during the late summer or early fall months, usually between August and September.

The 2025-26 season was a journey of high-stakes non-conference matchups, a grueling Mountain West slate, and significant moments at the Thomas & Mack Center. The team finished with an overall record of 17-16, maintaining a winning percentage of .515. Their performance within the conference stood at 11-9, showing resilience in one of the most competitive mid-major environments in college basketball.

Immediate Status of the UNLV Basketball Schedule

Currently, there are no active or upcoming games scheduled for the remainder of the Spring or Summer of 2026. The Runnin' Rebels completed their schedule on March 12, 2026, in the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Championship.

For those planning for the next year, the 2026-27 non-conference schedule announcement is the next major milestone. This announcement usually details the home-and-home series, neutral-site tournaments in Las Vegas, and early-season exhibitions. Until those official dates are released, fans can reflect on the performance and statistical trends of the recently completed year to understand the team's trajectory.

Detailed 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule and Results

The 2025-26 non-conference portion of the schedule was designed to be one of the most challenging in recent history. Head coach Josh Pastner and the athletic department aimed to test the roster against high-NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) ranking opponents to build a strong postseason resume early.

October Exhibition Games

The season began with two exhibition matches used to refine the rotation and integrate new transfers.

  • October 19 (Sun): UNLV at Washington (Seattle, WA). Result: L, 62-77. This road exhibition provided an early look at how the team would handle a Big Ten environment.
  • October 28 (Tue): UNLV vs. Lincoln University (Thomas & Mack Center). Result: W, 123-59. A dominant home performance that set a high offensive bar for the season opener.

November: The High-Intensity Opening

November featured 11 total contests, including prestigious neutral-site games in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

  • November 4 (Tue): Season Opener vs. UT Martin. Result: L, 81-86. A surprising upset during the Jerry & Lois Tarkanian Court rededication. Despite the emotional atmosphere, the team struggled with defensive rotations.
  • November 8 (Sat): vs. Chattanooga. Result: W, 101-69. Chattanooga entered as the defending Southern Conference champions, making this a significant "quality win" for UNLV.
  • November 11 (Tue): vs. Montana. Result: L, 93-102. Another tough loss against a Big Sky champion, highlighting early-season struggles in transition defense.
  • November 16 (Sun): at Memphis (FedEx Forum). Result: W, 92-78. Perhaps the highlight of the non-conference schedule, UNLV went into a hostile American Conference environment and secured a decisive victory.
  • November 20 (Thu): vs. Saint Joseph’s. Result: W, 99-85.

Players Era Men’s Championship

Late November saw UNLV participate in the Players Era Men’s Championship at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, bringing elite college basketball to the Las Vegas Strip.

  • November 24 (Mon): vs. Maryland. Result: L, 67-74. A close battle against a Big Ten powerhouse that went down to the final two minutes.
  • November 25 (Tue): vs. No. 8 Alabama. Result: L, 76-115. A difficult night against one of the nation's top offensive teams, showing the gap between the Rebels and the elite Top-10 programs.
  • November 27 (Thu): vs. Rutgers. Result: L, 65-80.

December Transitions

  • December 7 (Sun): at Stanford. Result: W, 75-74. A crucial road win in Palo Alto that helped stabilize the team after the three-game losing streak in the Players Era event.
  • December 13 (Sat): Jack Jones Classic vs. Tennessee State (Henderson, NV). Result: L, 60-63.
  • December 29 (Mon): vs. La Sierra University. Result: W, 89-47. The final tune-up before the full dive into conference play.

The Mountain West Conference Schedule: A Deep Dive

The Mountain West Conference (MW) schedule is widely regarded as a "gauntlet" due to the high altitude of many member schools and the consistently high level of play. UNLV’s conference schedule began in late December and concluded in early March.

January: The Battle for Position

The New Year brought a mix of home dominance and road challenges.

  • January 3 (Sat): vs. Air Force. Result: W, 67-39. A masterclass in defensive pressure.
  • January 6 (Tue): at Wyoming. Result: L, 66-98. The altitude in Laramie proved to be a significant factor as the Rebels struggled with shooting percentages.
  • January 9 (Fri): at Colorado State. Result: L, 62-70.
  • January 13 (Tue): vs. Boise State. Result: W, 89-85 (OT). A thrilling overtime win at the Thomas & Mack Center that re-energized the fan base.
  • January 17 (Sat): at San Jose State. Result: W, 76-62.
  • January 20 (Tue): at Utah State. Result: W, 86-76. Winning in Logan is notoriously difficult, making this one of the team's best conference performances.
  • January 24 (Sat): vs. San Diego State. Result: L, 71-82.
  • January 27 (Tue): vs. New Mexico. Result: L, 61-89.

February: The Rivalry and the Push

February is always defined by the rivalry with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

  • January 30 (Fri): at UNR (Reno, NV). Result: L, 76-89. The first leg of the Silver State Series went to the Wolf Pack.
  • February 3 (Tue): at Fresno State. Result: L, 96-98. A heartbreaking two-point loss in a high-scoring affair.
  • February 7 (Sat): vs. Grand Canyon. Result: W, 80-78.
  • February 10 (Tue): vs. San Jose State. Result: W, 82-75.
  • February 13 (Fri): at Boise State. Result: W, 86-83 (OT). Completing the season sweep of Boise State in another overtime classic.
  • February 18 (Wed): vs. Colorado State. Result: L, 86-91.
  • February 21 (Sat): at Air Force. Result: W, 91-66.
  • February 25 (Wed): at Grand Canyon. Result: L, 67-80.
  • February 28 (Sat): vs. UNR (Thomas & Mack Center). Result: W, 85-83 (OT). A historic overtime victory in front of a sold-out home crowd, avenging the earlier loss in Reno and securing a vital point in the rivalry standings.

March: Closing the Regular Season

  • March 3 (Tue): vs. Utah State. Result: W, 92-65.
  • March 6 (Fri): at San Diego State. Result: L, 86-89. A narrow loss to the eventual conference leaders to end the regular season.

Postseason: Mountain West Championship Schedule

The Mountain West Championship was held at the Thomas & Mack Center, providing UNLV with a home-court advantage for the tournament.

  • March 11 (Wed) - First Round: vs. Wyoming. Result: W, 73-70. A gritty win to advance past the opening round.
  • March 12 (Thu) - Quarterfinal: vs. Utah State. Result: L, 60-80. The season ended here as the Rebels could not overcome a sharp-shooting Aggies squad.

Analysis of Venue and Attendance Trends

The home of UNLV basketball, the Thomas & Mack Center, remains one of the premier venues in the Mountain West. During the 2025-26 season, the Rebels saw a marked increase in attendance, particularly for high-profile matchups.

The Tarkanian Court Experience

In our observation of the season's home games, the rededication of the court to Jerry and Lois Tarkanian in early November served as a cultural touchstone for the program. The Thomas & Mack Center features a unique circular bowl design that keeps sound trapped, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

Attendance Highlights

  • The UNR Game: The February 28 matchup against the Wolf Pack saw a near-capacity crowd. The energy in the building during the overtime period was cited by players as a deciding factor in the 85-83 win.
  • Mid-Week Challenges: One area of improvement for the athletic department remains the Tuesday night tip-offs. While the "Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network" provided excellent local coverage, the physical attendance for mid-week games against lower-ranked opponents showed more fluctuation compared to Saturday afternoon slots.

Television and Media Coverage Breakdown

For fans who could not attend in person, the 2025-26 schedule was widely accessible through several broadcast partners.

  1. CBS Sports Network & FS1: These networks handled the majority of the high-stakes Mountain West games. The Rebels appeared on national television approximately 12 times during the season.
  2. Mountain West Network: For games not selected by national partners, the MW Network provided streaming options.
  3. Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network (SSSEN): Local Las Vegas fans benefited from a dedicated regional broadcast for several non-conference and home games.
  4. Radio Coverage: Games were consistently broadcast on 1100 AM/100.9 FM in Las Vegas, maintaining the tradition of Runnin' Rebel radio.

What to Expect for the 2026-27 UNLV Basketball Schedule

As the 2025-26 season is now in the rearview mirror, attention shifts to the 2026-27 schedule. Based on historical patterns, here is a timeline of when information will become available.

Release Timeline

  • July 2026: Initial rumors of non-conference exempt tournaments (like the Maui Invitational or similar Las Vegas-based events) typically begin to circulate.
  • August 2026: The official non-conference schedule is usually released. This will include the season opener date and the home-and-home series.
  • September 2026: The Mountain West Conference releases the full league schedule, including tip-off times and television designations for CBS Sports and FOX Sports (FS1).
  • October 2026: Single-game tickets usually go on sale to the general public.

Predicted Opponents

While the exact dates are not set, the Mountain West follows a balanced rotation. Fans can expect home-and-home series with traditional rivals like San Diego State, New Mexico, and Nevada. UNLV will also likely look to schedule at least one or two "Buy Games" against regional opponents from the Big Sky or WAC to open the season at the Thomas & Mack Center.

How to Get Tickets for Future UNLV Games

For the 2026-27 season, the UNLV Athletics Ticket Office offers several tiers of access:

  • Season Tickets: Often the best value for local fans, starting as low as $115 in previous years. Season ticket holders receive priority for Mountain West Championship seating.
  • Mini-Plans: Perfect for fans who want to attend the "big games" (e.g., SDSU and UNR) without committing to the full schedule.
  • Single-Game Tickets: These are released in October. Fans are encouraged to buy early for rivalry games, as those are the most likely to sell out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does the UNLV basketball season start?

The regular season typically begins in the first week of November. For the 2025-26 season, the opener was on November 4. Expect a similar start date for 2026-27.

Where can I find the official UNLV basketball schedule?

The most reliable source is the official UNLV Athletics website (unlvrebels.com). During the season, the schedule page is updated in real-time with scores, box scores, and television information.

What is UNLV’s record in the Mountain West?

In the 2025-26 season, UNLV went 11-9 in Mountain West conference play. Historically, they have been a top-tier competitor in the league, often finishing in the upper half of the standings.

Who is the head coach for UNLV basketball?

As of the 2025-26 season, Josh Pastner serves as the head coach of the Runnin' Rebels. He has emphasized a difficult non-conference schedule to prepare the team for the MW tournament.

Are there any home games left this year?

No. The 2025-26 season ended in March 2026. The next home games will take place starting in late October or early November 2026 for the 2026-27 season.

Summary

The UNLV basketball schedule for 2025-26 provided a rollercoaster of emotions for the Rebel faithful. From the highs of beating Memphis on the road and defeating UNR in a triple-overtime thriller to the challenges of facing Top-10 teams like Alabama, the season reflected a program in a state of competitive growth. With an overall record of 17-16, the foundation is set for the upcoming year. Fans should keep an eye on official announcements in August 2026 for the release of the 2026-27 schedule, which will undoubtedly feature a new array of elite opponents and traditional Mountain West battles.