Preview of NCAA Men’s Basketball: UNLV at Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. (Interstat) — The Tulsa Golden Hurricane, riding a standout season, will host the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels in a nonconference men’s basketball game Sunday at the Donald Reynolds Center.

Tulsa (27-7) enters as a substantial favorite, boasting a record that dwarfs UNLV’s 18-16 mark. The Golden Hurricane have won eight of their last ten games, though they are coming off an 89-84 overtime victory over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday that required a late surge to force the extra period.

UNLV, meanwhile, snapped a two-game skid with a 75-72 road win at UC Irvine on Tuesday. The Runnin’ Rebels have shown a pattern of tight contests, with six of their last ten games decided by five points or fewer or in overtime.

A key matchup will feature each team’s recent high-scoring performer. For UNLV, forward Kimani Hamilton has been a consistent offensive catalyst, averaging 16.1 points over his last eight games. He scored 24 points in a win over Stephen F. Austin on March 17 and poured in 27 points in a rout of Air Force on Feb. 21.

Tulsa counters with guard Jaylen Lawal, who is coming off a career-high 24-point performance in the overtime win over Stephen F. Austin. Lawal’s scoring punch off the bench provides a dynamic element for a Golden Hurricane offense averaging over 84 points per game during its recent stretch.

The game presents a classic contrast. Tulsa’s high-powered, efficient attack will test a UNLV squad that has relied on grit and late-game execution to stay competitive. The Golden Hurricane will look to control the tempo at home, while the Runnin’ Rebels will aim to leverage their experience in close games to keep pace.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Tulsa is a 3.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 161.5 points.

Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tulsa.