LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — New head coach Josh Pastner and the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels have a packed non-conference schedule to start the 2025-26 season, including matchups with four NCAA tournament teams.
The schedule unveiled Monday features 11 games, with only two being true road games. Five will be played at Thomas & Mack center, three on the Las Vegas Strip and one in Henderson.
“We believe in challenging our team to get ready for the grind of the Mountain West, and this schedule will do exactly that,” Pastner said. “We have top programs on the slate and will be a tremendous opportunity for our guys to compete at the highest level.”
The team starts the year with two exhibition matches, the first on the road against Washington on Oct. 19.
UNLV returns home to face Lincoln University in their second exhibition at Thomas & Mack Center on Oct. 28.
Regular season play begins with three straight home games against UT Martin on Nov. 4, Chattanooga on Nov. 8 and Montana on Nov. 11.
The Runnin’ Rebels then face Memphis in their first road game on Nov. 16 before returning home for a Nov. 20 matchup against Saint Joseph’s.
UNLV closes out November with the Players Era Men’s Championship, a multi-team event played at MGM Grand Garden Arena during Thanksgiving week. The Scarlet and Gray are lined up to face Maryland on Nov. 24 and Alabama on Nov. 25. A third game will be played on either Nov. 26 or Nov. 27 against an opponent to be determined.
After the holiday weekend, the schedule shifts to the Bay Area for a road match against Stanford on Dec. 7.
UNLV returns to Southern Nevada for the Jack Jones Classic against Tennessee State at Lee’s Family Forum on Dec. 13. The Runnin’ Rebels have made a tradition of playing in Henderson every December while the National Finals Rodeo takes over Thomas & Mack Center.
Non-conference play concludes on Dec. 29 with a home match against La Sierra University.
The university says Mountain West Conference play is expected to begin on Dec. 20. The conference schedule will be announced at a later date.