2009–10 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 February 2023 Basketball none 2009–10 UNLV Runnin' Rebels UNLV Rebels wordmark.svg 150 Mountain West Conference Mountain West 25–9 11–5 Lon Kruger Greg Grensing Steve Henson Lew Hill Thomas & Mack Center NCAA tournament first round The 2009–10 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team represented the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The team was coached by Lon Kruger, returning for his sixth year with the Runnin' Rebels. They played their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV's main campus in Paradise, Nevada and are a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Runnin' Rebels finished the season 25–9, 11–5 in MWC play. They advanced to the championship game of the 2010 Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament before losing to San Diego State. They received an at–large bid to the 2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, earning an 8 seed in the Midwest Region, where they lost to 9 seed Northern Iowa in the first round. Preseason Recruiting Coach Lon Kruger signed a three-man class for 2008, including the #4 ranked prospect out of Nevada (#66 Rivals, #80 Scout, #85 ESPN), shooting guard Anthony Marshall of North Las Vegas, power forward Carlos Lopez of Henderson and shooting guard Justin Hawkins out of Woodland Hills, California. UNLV also signed power forward Quintrell Thomas, who transferred to UNLV from Kansas. no no 2009 Anthony Marshall SG North Las Vegas, Nevada Mojave (NV) 6 3 185 08/14/2008 4 4 91 Carlos Lopez PF Lajas, Puerto Rico Findlay College Prep (NV) 6 10 200 03/25/2008 3 3 89 Justin Hawkins SG Woodland Hills, California Taft (CA) 6 2 170 09/30/2007 2 3 80 2009 UNLV Basketball Commitments 2009 UNLV Basketball Commits ESPN unlv 75 2439 2009-12-31 yes Season Non-conference schedule On November 28, 2009, the team defeated #16 Louisville and became ranked nationally the following week.http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/naj Archived copy December 1, 2009 November 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091125185105/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/naj dead http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293322439 https://web.archive.org/web/20091204151643/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293322439 dead December 4, 2009 Louisville vs. UNLV - Game Recap - November 28, 2009 - ESPN After defeating Arizona in double overtime, 74–72, on December 2, 2009, UNLV marked their first 6–0 start since the 1992–93 season and defeated Santa Clara on December 5 to move to 7–0, their best start since going 34–0 in 1990–91 and losing to Duke in the Final Four.Youmans Matt http://www.lvrj.com/sports/rebels-get-by-on-road-78628447.html NARROW ESCAPE: Rebels get by on road Las Vegas Review-Journal December 6, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20091208144430/http://www.lvrj.com/sports/rebels-get-by-on-road-78628447.html 8 December 2009 live UNLV would raise to #17/18 by the time they took on Kansas State on a neutral court at the Orleans Arena. As in the previous two games, UNLV's sloppy first half play allowed their opponent to jump to an early lead. Unlike in the games against Arizona and Santa Clara, UNLV was unable to move back in front and would lose their first game of the season, 95–80.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/13/unlv-kstate-game-121309/ K-State pesters and flusters No. 18 UNLV in 95–80 victory Las Vegas Sun December 13, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100117090214/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/13/unlv-kstate-game-121309/ 17 January 2010 live UNLV's loss to Kansas State would drop them to #23 in the Coaches poll and knock them out of the AP poll all together.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/14/rebels-drop-ap-poll-ranked-23rd-coaches/ Rebels drop from AP poll, ranked 23rd by coaches Las Vegas Sun December 14, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100104094521/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/14/rebels-drop-ap-poll-ranked-23rd-coaches/ 4 January 2010 live The Runnin' Rebels were able to rebound from the loss with a road win at Southern Utah,Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/16/unlv-explodes-second-half-beat-southern-utah/ UNLV explodes in second half to beat Southern Utah, 77–59 Las Vegas Sun December 16, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100120020303/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/16/unlv-explodes-second-half-beat-southern-utah/ 20 January 2010 live and home wins against Weber StateGreene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/17/unlv-weberstate-blog-121709/ UNLV uses consistency to get by Weber State, 72–63 Las Vegas Sun December 17, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100122021858/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/17/unlv-weberstate-blog-121709/ 22 January 2010 live and South Carolina – Upstate, before heading to Hawai'i for the inaugural Diamond Head Classic.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/20/unlv-uscu-gamer-122009/ Rebels avoid pitfall, keep focus in 88–58 blowout Las Vegas Sun December 20, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100104115736/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/20/unlv-uscu-gamer-122009/ 4 January 2010 live The Runnin' Rebels would enter the tournament only ranked in the coaches poll at #20.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/21/rebels-still-unranked-ap-poll-rise-20th-espnusa-to/ Rebels still unranked in AP poll, rise to 20th in ESPN/USA Today Las Vegas Sun December 21, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100125190107/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/21/rebels-still-unranked-ap-poll-rise-20th-espnusa-to/ 25 January 2010 live UNLV's first game of tournament would come against SMU. UNLV took control of the game quickly, sprinting out to an 18–4 lead within mere minutes of tip off and never looked back in a 67–53 victory.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/23/unlv-smu-gamer-122309/ Marshall steps up again, helps UNLV dance past SMU, 67–53 Las Vegas Sun December 23, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100126130808/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/23/unlv-smu-gamer-122309/ 26 January 2010 live In the tournament's semifinal, the Rebels would face the tournament host, Hawai'i. Thanks to a relentless defense, UNLV was able to take Hawai'i out of the game early en route to a 77–53 victory, advancing UNLV to the Diamond Head Classic finals versus Southern California.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/24/unlv-hawaii-gamer-122409/ Hawaii K-O: Rebels smack host Warriors, 77–53 Las Vegas Sun December 24, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100104060515/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/24/unlv-hawaii-gamer-122409/ 4 January 2010 live UNLV's offensive might that had helped them to big early leads against SMU and Hawai'i was silenced by a tough USC defense. The Trojans were able to keep the Rebels at bay for most of the game and came away with the 67–56 win and the Diamond Head Classic title.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/26/unlv-usc-gamer-122609/ Trojans out-muscle Rebels in Diamond Head Classic finale, 67–56 Las Vegas Sun December 26, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20091229035920/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/26/unlv-usc-gamer-122609/ 29 December 2009 live The loss to Southern California would knock UNLV out of the Coaches poll.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/28/following-loss-usc-unlv-now-unranked-both-polls/ After USC loss, UNLV unranked in both polls Las Vegas Sun December 28, 2009 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100104084017/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/28/following-loss-usc-unlv-now-unranked-both-polls/ 4 January 2010 live Conference schedule After eleven days off, UNLV began conference play against #23/25 BYU at the Marriott Center in Provo. Despite leading the Cougars for much of the game, including a six-point lead with less than six minutes to play. Late miscues would doom the Runnin' Rebels, leading to a 77–73 defeat to BYU.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/07/unlv-byu-game-010710/ Late miscues doom UNLV in 77073 loss to BYU Las Vegas Sun January 7, 2010 2010-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100109094853/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/07/unlv-byu-game-010710/ 9 January 2010 live The following Saturday, UNLV would travel to The Pit to take on the #13/15 New Mexico Lobos. UNLV was able to keep the sell-out crowd of 14,586 quiet for most of the game, beginning by forcing New Mexico into two turnovers on their first two possessions of the game and jumping to a 9–2 lead. New Mexico would come back, taking over the lead twice in the game, but sophomore guard Kendall Wallace would pace the Rebels, going 7 of 10 on three-pointers as UNLV upset New Mexico 74–62.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/10/unlv-unm-game-011010/ Wallace gets 'the feel,' UNLV gets the win, 74–62 Las Vegas Sun January 9, 2010 2013-08-08 The Runnin' Rebels had their conference home opener against San Diego State, a team that swept UNLV in their three meetings the previous season. The first half of the game belonged to the bigger and athletically stacked SDSU, taking a 39–33 halftime lead. The Runnin' Rebels however, were able to take control in the second half and came away with a hard-fought 76–66 victory over their rival to improve to 2–1 in the Mountain West and 14–3 overall.Greene Ryan http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/14/unlv-sdsu-game-011410/ UNLV surges late to chop down SDSU, 76–66 Las Vegas Sun January 14, 2010 2010-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20100116175823/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/14/unlv-sdsu-game-011410/ 16 January 2010 live However, thing soon went downhill as UNLV fell to Utah at home, 73–69. The Rebels rebounded and won in both Colorado State and TCU. Returning home, UNLV came from behind to beat Air Force, 60–50. Roster #NameHeightWeight (lbs.)PositionClassHometownPrevious school0Oscar Bellfield6'2"185GSo.Los Angeles, CAWestchester HS1Quintrell Thomas†6'8"245FSo.Newark, NJKansas2Kendall Wallace6'4"190GJr.Mesa, AZMountain View HS3Anthony Marshall6'3"200GFr.Las Vegas, NVMojave HS5Derrick Jasper6'6"215GJr.Paso Robles, CAKentucky10Tyler Norman6'0"190GJr.Las Vegas, NVIowa State11Carlos Lopez6'11"215FFr.Lajas, Puerto RicoFindlay Prep12Brice Massamba6'10"240F/CSo.Sodertalje, SwedenFindlay Prep14Todd Hanni6'4"215GSo.Danville, INWabash Valley15Mychal Martinez6'5"205FJr.Las Vegas, NVYavapai20Steve Jones6'1"220GSr.Portland, ORArizona State22Chase Stanback6'8"210G/CSo.Los Angeles, CAUCLA31Justin Hawkins6'3"190GFr.Los Angeles, CATaft HS33Tre'Von Willis6'4"195GJr.Fresno, CAMemphis34Matt Shaw6'8"240FJr.Los Angeles, CAFairfax HS44Darris Santee6'8"225FSr.Houston, TXMidland Notes: † – denotes the player must sit out the 2009–10 season per NCAA transfer rules. Rankings 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings + Ranking movementLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week. RV–Received Votes Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 Wk 17 Wk 18 Final AP – – RV 24 18 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV 23 RV RV RV RV RV RV Coaches RV RV RV 21 17 23 20 RV RV RV RV RV RV 25 RV RV RV RV RV RV Schedule and results yes |- !colspan=9 style=UNLV Rebels| Exhibition 11/10/2009 7:00 PM yes 2009 Washburn Ichabods Washburn Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV 62–52 10,238 — |- !colspan=9 style=UNLV Rebels| Regular season 11/14/2009 7:00 PM yes 2009 Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg State Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV 92–51 14,304 1–0 11/18/2009 7:30 PM yes Nevada Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV The Mtn. 88–75 13,113 2–0 11/21/2009 7:00 PM yes 2009 Southern Illinois Salukis Southern Illinois Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV MWC–MVC Challenge 78–69 11,651 3–0 11/25/2009 7:00 PM yes 2009 Holy Cross Crusaders Holy Cross Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV 80–59 10,946 4–0 11/28/2009 1:00 PM yes Louisville 16 Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV Versus 76–71 14,390 5–0 12/02/2009 6:00 PM yes yes 23 Arizona McKale Center Tucson, AZ FSAZ 74–72 2OT 13,485 6–0 12/05/2009 7:00 PM yes yes 23 2009 Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara Leavey Center Santa Clara, CA 66–63 2,064 7–0 12/12/2009 4:00 PM yes yes 18 Kansas State Orleans Arena Las Vegas, NV FSKC 80–95 8,320 7–1 12/15/2009 6:00 PM yes yes 2009 Southern Utah Thunderbirds Southern Utah Centrum Arena Cedar City, UT 77–59 4,331 8–1 12/17/2009 7:00 PM yes Weber State Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV 72–63 15,715 9–1 12/19/2009 7:00 PM yes 2009 USC Upstate Spartans USC Upstate Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV 88–58 11,300 10–1 12/22/2009 7:30 PM yes yes 2009 SMU Mustangs SMU Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu, HI Diamond Head Classic Quarterfinals ESPNU 67–53 7,119 11–1 12/23/2009 8:30 PM yes yes Hawai'i Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu, HI Diamond Head Classic semifinals ESPN2 77–53 6,416 12–1 12/25/2009 6:30 PM yes yes USC Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu, HI Diamond Head Classic finals ESPN2 56–67 6,172 12–2 01/06/2009 7:00 PM yes BYU 25 Marriott Center Provo, UT The Mtn. 73–77 15,546 12–3 (0–1) 01/09/2010 1:00 PM yes New Mexico 15 The Pit Albuquerque, NM Versus 74–62 14,586 13–3 (1–1) 01/13/2010 7:00 PM San Diego State Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV CBSCS 76–66 14,530 14–3 (2–1) 01/16/2010 7:00 PM Utah Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV CBSCS 69–73 16,594 14–4 (2–2) 01/20/2010 7:00 PM yes Colorado State Moby Arena Fort Collins, CO The Mtn. 80–72 4,353 15–4 (3–2) 01/23/2010 3:00 PM yes 2009 none TCU Horned Frogs TCU Daniel-Meyer Coliseum Fort Worth, TX CBSCS 79–70 4,270 16–4 (4–2) 01/26/2010 7:30 PM Air Force Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV The Mtn. 60–50 14,175 17–4 (5–2) 02/03/2010 7:00 PM yes Wyoming Arena-Auditorium Laramie, WY The Mtn. 78–50 4,718 18–4 (6–2) 02/06/2010 1:00 PM BYU 12 Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV Versus 88–74 18,557 19–4 (7–2) 02/10/2010 8:00 PM 23 New Mexico 15 Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV CBSCS 66–76 18,044 19–5 (7–3) 02/13/2010 1:00 PM yes 23 San Diego State Viejas Arena San Diego, CA Versus 58–68 9,224 19–6 (7–4) 02/17/2010 7:00 PM yes Utah Jon M. Huntsman Center Salt Lake City, UT The Mtn. 61–66 9,122 19–7 (7–5) 02/20/2010 3:00 PM Colorado State Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV CBSCS 70–39 13,626 20–7 (8–5) 02/24/2010 8:00 PM TCU Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV The Mtn. 78–62 11,408 21–7 (9–5) 02/27/2010 12:30 PM yes Air Force Clune Arena Colorado Springs, CO The Mtn. 77–47 2,430 22–7 (10–5) 03/06/2010 1:00 PM Wyoming Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV Versus 74–56 14,116 23–7 (11–5) |- !colspan=9 style=UNLV Rebels| Mountain West tournament 03/11/2010 8:30 PM yes 3 Utah 6 Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV MWC Quarterfinals The Mtn. 73–61 24–7 12,405 03/12/2010 8:30 PM yes 3 BYU 14 2 Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV MWC Semifinals CBSCS 70–66 25–7 18,500 03/13/2010 4:00 PM yes 3 San Diego State 4 Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, NV MWC Championship Game Versus 45–55 25–8 12,728 |- !colspan=9 style=UNLV Rebels| NCAA tournament 03/18/2010 4:10 PM yes yes 8 MW Northern Iowa 24 9 MW Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK NCAA First Round CBS 66–69 25–9 AP Poll Pacific Time MW NCAA Midwest Regional References Nevada-Las Vegas Category:UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball seasons UNLV UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team