UNLV officially unveiled its 2025–26 non-conference schedule on Monday, laying out an 11-game slate that marks the start of the Josh Pastner era.
The schedule runs from November 4 through December 29, with exhibitions at Washington (Oct. 19) and at home against Lincoln University (Oct. 28) to warm up.
The Rebels will play five games at the Thomas & Mack Center, three on the Strip at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, one in Henderson, and just two true road contests. On paper, UNLV emphasizes that seven of the ten Division I opponents finished last season in the NET top 100, including four NCAA Tournament teams. But when you peel back the surface, the schedule feels thin on marquee opportunities and heavy on mid- to low-major padding.
Breaking Down the Opponents
UT Martin (Nov. 4, Thomas & Mack) – A buy-game opener against a team that finished in the middle of the Ohio Valley last season.
Chattanooga (Nov. 8, Thomas & Mack) – The Mocs were 29–9 last year, winning the SoCon title and claiming the 2025 NIT championship. A solid mid-major, but hardly a national headliner.
Montana (Nov. 11, Thomas & Mack) – The Grizzlies (25–10) won the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles, earning a first-round NCAA Tournament exit. Again, respectable, but a safe scheduling choice.
at Memphis (Nov. 16) – Finally, a true road test. Memphis went 29–6, swept the AAC titles, and made the NCAA field. This is a legitimate résumé opportunity.
Saint Joseph’s (Nov. 20, Thomas & Mack) – The Hawks (22–13) were an NIT team out of the Atlantic 10. Quality opponent, but not a major brand.
Players Era Men’s Championship (Nov. 24–27, MGM Grand Garden) – This event is the high point of the slate. UNLV opens with Maryland (27–9, Sweet 16) and then faces Alabama (28–9, Elite Eight). A third game will follow against another tournament opponent. These are the kinds of Quadrant 1 shots that can move the needle.
at Stanford (Dec. 7) – Stanford finished 21–14, an NIT team out of the ACC. Solid but not elite, and another rare true road trip.
Tennessee State (Dec. 13, Lee’s Family Forum, Jack Jones Classic) – The Tigers were middle of the OVC. Neutral-site in Henderson, but a clear filler game.
La Sierra (Dec. 29, Thomas & Mack) – An NAIA opponent to close out the calendar year. Essentially a glorified scrimmage.
What’s Missing
While UNLV’s release sells this slate as a challenge, the reality is:
Only four games (Memphis, Maryland, Alabama, Stanford) will truly matter nationally.
Two true road games are extremely light; most tournament hopefuls play 4–6.
Heavy reliance on mid-major résumé filler (Chattanooga, Montana, St. Joe’s) and outright cupcakes (UT Martin, La Sierra).
For a program chasing its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013, this feels designed to rack up wins more than to impress the committee.
Final Take
Pastner inherits a program that has been stuck in the middle for a decade. While the Players Era event offers a couple of big-stage opportunities, the rest of the slate feels cautious, perhaps too cautious. Unless UNLV is ready to dominate the Mountain West, this nonconference run could look forgettable on Selection Sunday.