Air Force vs UNLV Picks and Prediction – 3/12/2025

On Wednesday, the Air Force Falcons (4-27) face off against the UNLV Rebels (17-14) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada in the first round of the Mountain West Championship. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

UNLV comes into this matchup on a one-game losing streak, but has won three of their last five games. In their 81-67 defeat at the hands of New Mexico, Jalen Hill stood out by scoring 16 points for the Rebels. This season, the top scorer for UNLV is Dedan Thomas Jr., who is averaging 15.6 points per game. Following closely is Jaden Henley, the team's second-highest scorer, with an average of 12.2 points per game. Jeremiah Cherry, a key player for rebounds, leads the team with an average of 5.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, Dedan Thomas Jr. proves pivotal in playmaking, averaging 4.7 assists per game. Over the last five games, UNLV has maintained an average scoring rate of 67.8 points and has managed to secure victories in both games against Air Force this season. As they gear up for the opening round of the Mountain West Conference championship, UNLV aims to dodge an upset from Air Force. Overall, the Rebels have been averaging 69.6 points per game throughout the season.

Air Force enters this game on a four-game losing streak and has dropped four of their last five games. In a challenging match against Utah State, where the Falcons were defeated 87-47, Will Cooper emerged as a standout by scoring 16 points. This season, Ethan Taylor has consistently been Air Force's top scorer, boasting an average of 13.6 points per game. Following him is Luke Kearney, who has been a reliable second option with a scoring average of 8.9 points. Beyond his scoring prowess, Taylor also dominates the boards for the Falcons, leading the team with an average of 5.4 rebounds per game. His versatility shines through as he also tops the team’s assists chart, dishing out an average of 3.5 assists per game. In their recent performances, the Falcons have been struggling defensively, allowing opponents an average of 81 points over their last five games. As they prepare for an away game in Las Vegas, Air Force is eager to pull off an upset victory. Collectively, the team averages 62 points per game this season.

UNLV is aiming for a strong win in the opening round of the Mountain West championship as they take on the Air Force Falcons. Despite this matchup being classified as a neutral site game, it will take place in UNLV’s own stadium, which could potentially give them an advantage. UNLV hopes to maintain their unblemished record against Air Force and move forward to the next round of the tournament. Final Score Prediction, UNLV Rebels win and cover the spread, 70-57.