Jan. 3, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team moved back into the national rankings this week at No. 25 in the Associated Press poll, which was released Monday.

In both the AP and USA Today/ESPN Coaches' polls last week, UNLV was the first team out of the top 25 as the top vote-getting squad in the "others receiving votes" category. This week in the coaches' poll, UNLV is still the first team outside the top 25, tied with Baylor for the equivalent of No. 26.

The Runnin' Rebels (12-2) played just one game last week, a 26-point win (73-47) over Central Michigan at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV has won three straight games dating back to Dec. 18, which includes a road victory over then-No. 11 Kansas State in Kansas City on Dec. 21.

This week marks the fourth time this season that UNLV finds itself ranked in the top 25. The Runnin' Rebels had climbed as high as 20th in the AP and 19th in the coaches' polls in December, following their best start in 20 years at 9-0. Last season, UNLV was ranked for five total weeks throughout the season - the most for the program since 1992-93.

The Runnin' Rebels are one of three teams from the Mountain West Conference to be featured in the polls this week. San Diego State is No. 6 in both polls, which marks the highest-ever ranking for a MWC team, while BYU is No. 15 in the AP and No. 14 in the coaches'.

No. 25 UNLV opens conference play this week, hosting No. 15/14 BYU on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tickets may be purchased by calling 702-739-FANS, online at UNLVtickets.com at all UNLVtickets outlets, or at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.