The UNLV Rebels take on the Utah State Aggies in Logan, Utah. Tip-off is set for 11 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Utah State is favored by 16.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1700. The total is set at 156.5 points.
Here’s my UNLV vs. Utah State predictions and college basketball picks for January 20, 2026.
UNLV vs Utah State Prediction
My Pick: Under 156.5
My UNLV vs Utah State best bet is on the under. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UNLV vs. Utah State Odds
| UNLV Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16.5 -110 | 156.5 -110o / -110u | +950 |
| Utah State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16.5 -110 | 156.5 -110o / -110u | -1700 |
- UNLV vs Utah State spread: Utah State -16.5
- UNLV vs Utah State over/under: 156.5 points
- UNLV vs Utah State moneyline: UNLV +950, Utah State -1700
UNLV vs Utah State College Basketball Betting Preview
UNLV Basketball
UNLV has had to deal with a ton of injuries this season and the roster has struggled with continuity and consistency as a result.
One night, the Rebs are blowing out Air Force, Fresno State or Memphis, and the next, UNLV is getting blown out by 32 against Wyoming.
The team features a ton of newcomers, and we're starting to see the roster take form for the second half of league play.
The offense is led by Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who's averaging 16.8 points per game, which leads five Rebels who average double figures in scoring. Kimani Hamilton chips in 12.5 points per game while Tyrin Jones and Howie Fleming Jr. all average 10 points a night.
Head coach Josh Pastner has his work cut out for him in the second half of the season, but the starting five having more time together will aid this team in making some noise in Mountain West play this season.
The defense has struggled for UNLV this season, as the Rebs can't keep opponents off the offensive glass. They send you to the line at a rate that ranks in the bottom 10% of all teams in college hoops.
Utah State Basketball
Utah State absolutely has to feel embarrassed after a 10-point loss on the road against Grand Canyon on Saturday. The Lopes are a decent MWC squad, there's no debating that, and Bryce Drew’s defense was able to frustrate the Aggies throughout.
A hot conference start for Utah State has left the Aggies at 15-2 despite the loss, and Utah State has one of the most electrifying offenses in the college leagues.
Utah State is led by MJ Collins, who averages 19.6 points per game and can snipe the 3-point shot as well as anyone playing in the Mountain West.
Surprisingly, Mason Falslev is the only other Aggie averaging in double figures as he chips in 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.
The Aggies' defense has been elite at contesting all shots, and it's forcing turnovers at a rate that's eighth-best in the country.
We should see the on-ball pressure ratcheted up against UNLV here at home, which could create some run-outs and layups for Utah State.
UNLV vs. Utah State Betting Analysis
This line opened Utah State -16.5 with a total of 156.5. I like the under here in this one.
Utah State has slowed the tempo considerably in league play while seeing every conference game but one end with 66 possessions or less. UNLV has run some tempo at times this season, but the Rebs have slowed the pace in MWC play, and their last time out they played a game to 56 possessions against San Jose State.
I would assume the Utah State defense shows up here, as it was humbled in its last outing. This unit ranks 45th in overall defensive efficiency, per KenPom’s rankings, and is eighth in steals forced.
UNLV is going to be tested in the half-court, and while its offense has been good this season against the lower-echelon teams in the MWC, executing on the road is a different story.
UNLV has defended well on the interior and neither team desires to shoot a ton of 3-point shots. Utah State should be methodical about working the ball into the paint, and UNLV matches up decently well with Hamilton and Jacob Bannarbie in the post.
If UNLV can keep its big men out of foul trouble, it can muck this game up enough on the defensive end to keep the Utah State scoring output lower and hang in there.
I don’t think we'll see enough possessions for this one to get over this total. Utah State will be challenged to show up defensively, and I believe it'll respond at home.
Watch for this game to finish with 67-69 possessions and finish under the posted total.
My Pick: Under 156.5
