Air Force vs. UNLV men's basketball preview

UNLV at Air Force

4 p.m. Saturday, Clune Arena

UNLV (13-4, 1-2 MWC) last game: 55-49 loss at San Diego State 

About the Rebels: Multiple reports from Las Vegas said UNLV senior guard Tre’Von Willis wouldn’t make the trip to Air Force due to a knee injury and will be replaced by sophomore Anthony Marshall. Willis was a first-team all-conference selection last season, after averaging 17.2 points and making his way on the all-defensive team. He is averaging 12 points this season. 

Air Force (10-5, 1-1 MWC) last game: 76-66 loss at BYU

About the Falcons: Air Force needs to handle the Rebels’ pressure and keep the tempo of the game manageable. In the last meeting, neither happened and Air Force lost 77-47. UNLV’s average tempo is about seven possessions per game more than the Falcons. Air Force has talked this week about not passing up good shots if it beats UNLV’s pressure, but to be smart about not forcing anything too quickly in the shot clock.