2015–16 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team

The 2015–16 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team represented the University of Nevada, Las Vegas during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Runnin' Rebels were led by fifth year head coach Dave Rice until he was fired on January 10, 2016.[1] They were then led by interim head coach Todd Simon for the remainder of the season.[2] They played their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada as members of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 18–15, 8–10 in Mountain West play to finish in a tie for sixth place. They defeated Air Force to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament where they lost to Fresno State.

2015–16 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
ConferenceMountain West Conference
2015–16 record18–15 (8–10 Mountain West)
Head coachDave Rice (fired 1/10/16)
Todd Simon (from 1/11/16)
Assistant coaches
Home arenaThomas & Mack Center
2015–16 Mountain West Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
San Diego State16–2 .889  28–10  .737
Fresno State †13–5 .722  25–10  .714
Boise State11–7 .611  20–12  .625
Nevada10–8 .556  24–14  .632
New Mexico10–8 .556  17–15  .531
Colorado State8–10 .444  18–16  .529
UNLV8–10 .444  18–15  .545
Utah State7–11 .389  16–15  .516
Wyoming7–11 .389  14–18  .438
Air Force5–13 .278  14–18  .438
San Jose State4–14 .222  9–22  .290
† 2016 MWC Tournament winner

On March 28, the school announced that Chris Beard had been hired as head coach.[3] However, less than three weeks later, Beard left UNLV to accept the head coaching position at Texas Tech.[4] On April 16, the school hired Marvin Menzies as head coach.[5]

Previous season

The 2014–15 Runnin' Rebels finished the season with an overall record of 18–15, and 8–10 in conference play. The Runnin' Rebels defeated Nevada in the First round of the Mountain West Tournament, before losing to San Diego State in the Quarterfinals.[6]

Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Rashad Vaughn1G6'6"210FreshmanGolden Valley, MNDeclared for 2015 NBA draft[7]
Christian Wood5F6'11"220SophomoreLong Beach, CADeclared for 2015 NBA draft[8]
Barry Cheaney12G6'1"165RS JuniorCorona, CAWalk-on; didn't return
Jelan Kendrick22G6'6"210RS SeniorAtlanta, GAGraduated
Dantley Walker30G5'11"170RS FreshmanPanaca, NVTransferred to Chaminade
Charles Rushman33G6'3"185RS JuniorOconomowoc, WITransferred to Lindenwood
Cody Doolin45G6'3"180SeniorAustin, TXGraduated

Incoming transfers
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Ike Nwamu0G6'5"205RS SeniorGreensboro, NCGraduate transfer from Mercer University.
Will be eligible to play immediately since Nwamu graduated from Mercer.
Tyrell Bellot–Green12F6'7"JuniorToronto, ONJunior college transfer from Hill College.
Chris Obekpa34F/C6'10"236SeniorMakurdi, NigeriaTransferred from St. John's. Under NCAA transfer rules, Obekpa will have to sit out in the 2015–16 season. Will have one year of eligibility left.

2015 Recruiting class
Stephen Zimmerman in the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jaylen Poyser
#64 SG		 Malton, Ontario Athlete Institute Basketball Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Nov 2, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Derrick Jones
#3 SF		 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Archbishop John Carroll High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Nov 13, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Stephen Zimmerman
#5 C		 Las Vegas, Nevada Bishop Gorman High School 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Apr 16, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2015 UNLV Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  • "2015 UNLV Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

    Roster
    2015–16 UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    F 1 Derrick Jones Jr. 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrArchbishop John Carroll HS Philadelphia, PA
    G 2 Jerome Seagears 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg) RS SrRutgers Silver Spring, MD
    G 3 Jordan Cornish 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg) SoBrother Martin HS New Orleans, LA
    G 10 Daquan Cook 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)170 lb (77 kg) SrSt. Frances Academy Baltimore, MD
    F 12 Tyrell Green 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg) JrHill College Toronto, ON
    F 13 Ben Carter 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS JrOregon Las Vegas, NV
    G 14 Alex Perez 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg) SrSt. Katherine San Diego, CA
    F 15 Dwayne Morgan 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoSt. Frances Academy Baltimore, MD
    G 20 Austin Starr 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrFoothill HS Las Vegas, NV
    G 22 Patrick McCaw 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)185 lb (84 kg) SoMontrose Christian School St. Louis, MO
    G 24 Jaylen Poyser 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrAthlete Institute Basketball Academy Malton, ON
    C 33 Stephen Zimmerman 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)240 lb (109 kg) FrBishop Gorman HS Las Vegas, NV
    G 34* Ike Nwamu 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS SrMercer Greensboro, NC
    C 35 Chris Obekpa (I)  6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrSt. John's Makurdi, Nigeria
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: February 8, 2016

    • Nov. 27, 2015 – Sophomore Goodluck Okonoboh asked for his release and will transfer.[9]
    • Feb. 8, 2016 – Freshman Stephen Zimmerman Jr. out indefinitely due to a left knee injury.[10] Returned Feb. 27 game against Wyoming.

    * Ike Nwamu wore #0 until February 6 when he changed to #34 to honor former Mercer teammate Jibri Bryan who was murdered on February 2.

    Schedule
    Date
    time, TV    		 Opponent Result Record Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    11/06/2015*
    7:00 PM    		 Whittier W 94–57 
    		Thomas & Mack Center (10,232)
    Paradise, NV
    Non-conference regular season
    11/13/2015*
    7:00 PM    		 Cal Poly
    Maui Invitational Opening Round    		 W 74–72  1–0
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (12,201)
    Paradise, NV
    11/16/2015*
    7:00 PM    		 New Mexico Highlands W 107–45  2–0
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (9,961)
    Paradise, NV
    11/18/2015*
    7:30 PM    		 Southern Utah W 84–64  3–0
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (10,824)
    Paradise, NV
    11/23/2015*
    8:30 PM, ESPN2    		 vs. UCLA
    Maui Invitational Quarterfinals    		 L 75–77  3–1
    		 Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
    Maui, HI
    11/24/2015*
    1:30 PM, ESPN2    		 vs. Chaminade
    Maui Invitational 2nd Round Consolation    		 W 93–73  4–1
    		 Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
    Maui, HI
    11/25/2015*
    2:00 PM, ESPN2    		 vs. No. 13 Indiana
    Maui Invitational 5th Place Game    		 W 72–69  5–1
    		 Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
    Maui, HI
    11/28/2015*
    7:00 PM    		 Prairie View A&M W 80–62  6–1
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (10,858)
    Paradise, NV
    12/04/2015*
    8:00 PM, ESPN2    		 vs. No. 15 Oregon
    MGM Grand Showcase    		 W 80–69  7–1
    		 MGM Grand Garden Arena (12,117)
    Paradise, NV
    12/09/2015*
    6:00 PM, ESPN2    		 at Wichita State
    MW–MVC Challenge    		 L 50–56  7–2
    		 Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
    Wichita, KS
    12/12/2015*
    7:00 PM    		 at UC Riverside W 73–62  8–2
    		 Student Recreation Center (1,772)
    Riverside, CA
    12/16/2015*
    7:00 PM, CBSSN    		 Arizona State L 56–66  8–3
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (13,014)
    Paradise, NV
    12/19/2015*
    5:30 PM, ESPN2    		 at No. 13 Arizona L 70–82  8–4
    		 McKale Center (14,644)
    Tucson, AZ
    12/22/2015*
    7:00 PM    		 South Dakota W 103–68  9–4
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (11,990)
    Paradise, NV
    Mountain West regular season
    12/30/2015
    7:00 PM, ESPN3    		 Fresno State L 66–69  9–5
    (0–1)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (12,220)
    Paradise, NV
    01/06/2016
    7:00 PM, CBSSN    		 at Colorado State L 65–66  9–6
    (0–2)    		 Moby Arena (3,431)
    Fort Collins, CO
    01/09/2016
    3:00 PM, CBSSN    		 at Wyoming L 57–59  9–7
    (0–3)    		 Arena-Auditorium (5,485)
    Laramie, WY
    01/13/2016
    7:00 PM, CBSSN    		 New Mexico W 86–74  10–7
    (1–3)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (11,377)
    Paradise, NV
    01/16/2016
    7:00 PM, ESPN3    		 Air Force W 100–64  11–7
    (2–3)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (13,198)
    Paradise, NV
    01/19/2016
    8:00 PM, ESPN3    		 at Utah State W 80–68  12–7
    (3–3)    		 Smith Spectrum (9,394)
    Logan, UT
    01/23/2016
    7:00 PM, ESPNU    		 at Nevada L 63–65  12–8
    (3–4)    		 Lawlor Events Center (11,341)
    Reno, NV
    01/27/2016
    8:00 PM, CBSSN    		 Boise State W 87–77  13–8
    (4–4)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (12,586)
    Paradise, NV
    01/30/2016
    5:00 PM, CBSSN    		 San Diego State L 52–67  13–9
    (4–5)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (15,243)
    Paradise, NV
    02/02/2016
    5:00 PM, CBSSN    		 at New Mexico L 83–87  13–10
    (4–6)    		 WisePies Arena (13,359)
    Albuquerque, NM
    02/06/2016
    4:00 PM, ESPN3    		 at Fresno State L 104–111 2OT 13–11
    (4–7)    		 Save Mart Center (7,754)
    Fresno, CA
    02/10/2016
    7:00 PM, ESPN3    		 San Jose State W 64–61  14–11
    (5–7)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (11,647)
    Paradise, NV
    02/13/2016
    7:00 PM, ESPNU    		 Colorado State W 87–80  15–11
    (6–7)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (11,753)
    Paradise, NV
    02/17/2016
    6:30 PM, CBSSN    		 at Air Force L 74–79  15–12
    (6–8)    		 Clune Arena (1,445)
    Colorado Springs, CO
    02/20/2016
    7:00 PM, CBSSN    		 Nevada W 101–92 OT 16–12
    (7–8)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (14,640)
    Paradise, NV
    02/23/2016
    8:00 PM, ESPNU    		 at Boise State L 69–81  16–13
    (7–9)    		 Taco Bell Arena (4,605)
    Boise, ID
    02/27/2016
    5:00 PM, ESPN3    		 Wyoming W 79–74  17–13
    (8–9)    		 Thomas & Mack Center (12,412)
    Paradise, NV
    03/05/2016
    7:00 PM, CBSSN    		 at San Diego State L 56–92  17–14
    (8–10)    		 Viejas Arena (12,414)
    San Diego, CA
    Mountain West Tournament
    03/09/2016
    1:30 PM, MWN    		 Air Force
    First round    		 W 108–102 3OT 18–14
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (5,970)
    Paradise, NV
    03/10/2016
    6:00 PM, CBSSN    		 Fresno State
    Quarterfinals    		 L 82–95  18–15
    		 Thomas & Mack Center (6,325)
    Paradise, NV
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Pacific Time.

    References
    1. Review-Journal, Matt Youmans Las Vegas (2016-01-10). "UNLV basketball coach Dave Rice fired". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
    2. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14545007/dave-rice-fired-coach-unlv-rebels
    3. REVIEW-JOURNAL, MARK ANDERSON LAS VEGAS (2016-03-28). "UNLV announces Chris Beard as basketball coach, but his introduction will have to wait". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
    4. "Job hopper: Beard leaves UNLV for Texas Tech". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
    5. "UNLV hires Marvin Menzies as basketball coach after Chris Beard bolts". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
    6. Ramirez, W.G. "UNLV Falls To San Diego State in MW Quarterfinals, 67-64". UNLVRebels.com. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
    7. Vecenie, Sam. "UNLV's Rashad Vaughn officially enters draft by signing with agent". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
    8. Youmans, Matt. "UNLV's Wood headed to the NBA". ReviewJournal.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
    9. Manzano, Gilbert. "Goodluck Okonoboh is leaving UNLV". ReviewJournal.com. Las Vegas Review-Journal, Inc. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
    10. Anderson, Mark. "UNLV's Zimmerman Jr. out indefinitely". ReviewJournal.com. Las Vegas Review-Journal, Inc. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
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