It was almost prime time for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.
They were at home vs. the Utah State Aggies for the first of two games last Monday. But it was the Aggies who were getting the money, sending the line from UNLV from +5.5 to + 6 or +6.5.
Still, UNLV stepped up and delivered, defeating Utah State outright, 59-56. Over the total, at 138.5, never had a chance. Playing UNLV on the money line paid around +230.
It was the fifth straight win for UNLV. But that counted victories against the St. Katherine Firebirds and the Benedictine Mesa Redhawks (If you said, “Who?”, you weren’t alone.).
And the question remained: What would happen in the rematch on Wednesday? Could UNLV deliver again?
Bettors thought not. They drove the line to UNLV +7 this time. The total remained about the same.
This time, it was the Aggies who took charge, jumping to a 37-34 halftime lead and closing the door by winning the second half, 46-40. The 83-74 final gave Aggies bettors a narrow cover. And this time the total went over easily.
The Runnin’ Rebels returned to action on Sunday night against Nevada-Reno at the Lawlor Events Center. The opening line was UNR -2, but bettors drove that up steadily on Sunday to -5 and even -5.5.
The line movement turned out to be immaterial. UNR came out with its three-point shooters blazing and led at halftime, 46-30. The second half was much the same, and the Wolf Pack cruised to a lopsided 89-60 win. The total, led largely by the scoring onslaught from UNR, went over 141.
It was UNR’s seventh straight win again UNLV and drew a blistering response from coach T.J. Otzelberger.
“Unacceptable effort to compete, especially in a rivalry game,” he told reporters after the game. “That’s not Runnin’ Rebel basketball, and we’ll address it tomorrow in practice and film so that we don’t end up in this situation Tuesday.”
The two teams will indeed meet again Tuesday. UNLV was missing Bryce Hamilton because of an ankle injury on Sunday, and he is questionable again for Tuesday. So there are several questions for bettors: Will Hamilton return and if not, what will the line be? And will UNLV be more competitive this time?
Elsewhere:
— If you missed the Vegas Golden Knights-St. Louis Blues hockey game last Tuesday, you missed the last chance to see the VGK for at least a few days. Thursday’s game with the Blues was postponed because of COVID-19 issues, and this Monday’s and Wednesday’s matchups with the San Jose Sharks are also off the board.
Intriguingly, analysts at both Vegas Insider and Covers.com both predicted a Vegas win over the Blues and a total under 6 for that Tuesday game. The result? The Blues won in a shootout, 5-4.
— If you had Akron over Ball State on Saturday in college hoops, you had one of the laughers of the week. Akron, -6.5, won both halves decisively in a 74-42 rout. They covered by 25.5 points.
— Gilbert Burns faces reigning champion Kamaru Usman in the welterweight main event of UFC 258 on Feb. 13 in Las Vegas. Usman, the “Nigerian Nightmare,” is generally around -250 with Burns +200.
— No major movement on the line for Super Bowl Double Nickel (LV) on Sunday. The Chiefs are still -3 and the total is around 56.5. For what it’s worth, a simulation at CBS SportsLine predicts Kansas City 29, Tampa Bay 27. One thing you can almost certainly count on: Long lines to the betting windows prior to kickoff at 3:30 p.m.