Air Force Falcons vs UNLV Rebels Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 3, 2026
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Air Force travels to Las Vegas for a Mountain West matchup with UNLV on Saturday. The Falcons are 3-10 overall and 0-2 in conference play after a 68-56 home loss to Wyoming. UNLV is 6-6 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain West, coming off an 89-47 home win over LSU Independent. Make your bankroll bigger with our free college basketball picks.
Air Force vs UNLV Game Information
- Date: Saturday, January 3
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- Location: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
- TV: MWN
Air Force Falcons Preview
Air Force has struggled to generate offense, scoring only 64.8 points per game and often going through long stretches without quality looks. Kam Sanders leads the Falcons at 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game, but his shooting has been inconsistent, and that makes it tough for Air Force to keep pace when opponents are shooting better.
The defense has been more competitive than the record suggests, yet it still hasn’t been enough to offset scoring issues. Air Force allows 73.7 points per game and needs to win the turnover battle to stay close, especially against teams that can score quickly in transition.
Key Stats Per Game
- Points: 64.8
- Points Allowed: 73.7
- Rebounds: 30.9
- Assists: 12.2
- Steals: 6.6
- Blocks: 3.4
- Turnovers: 14.6
UNLV Rebels Preview
UNLV has the more reliable scoring, averaging 81.8 points per game with better balance across the roster. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn sets the tone, averaging 17.3 points per game, and his ability to get to the line helps UNLV avoid scoreless possessions that can keep underdogs close.
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The Rebels also pressure the ball and create extra chances, which shows up in steals and overall pace. UNLV’s defense isn’t airtight, but playing at home gives the Rebels additional energy, and that’s a problem for an Air Force team that already has trouble creating offense.
Key Stats Per Game
- Points: 81.8
- Points Allowed: 78.8
- Rebounds: 37.6
- Assists: 15.8
- Steals: 9.6
- Blocks: 4.5
- Turnovers: 12.8
Air Force Falcons vs UNLV Rebels Prediction
UNLV will control this game with stronger scoring and more disruptive defense. Air Force’s limited offense makes it difficult to answer scoring runs, especially on the road. UNLV will protect the ball and win the turnover battle, helping the Rebels to pull away after the break. Final Score Prediction: UNLV Rebels win and cover ATS, 82-62.
Best Picks
- UNLV Rebels
- Over
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