Vegas doesn’t fake energy. You either move the city, or the city moves on.
And for the past 15 years, UNLV basketball has slowly, painfully slipped into the background of a town it once owned.
One NCAA Tournament win since 2008. One appearance since 2013. Five head coaches in 12 years.
A legacy program that once made national headlines now struggles to fill a third of its own building.
The city never left. The fans are still here — loyal, vocal, waiting.
But they’re done with talk.
It’s time UNLV gives them something to believe in again.
A New Era. But No More Excuses.
Josh Pastner is in his first season. The buzz is real.
He’s already doing things differently: culture-first hires, public accountability, player engagement, community presence.
He’s saying the right things. But let’s be clear:
This isn’t a rebuild year. It’s a results year.
The Roster Isn’t Just Talented — It’s Built to Win Now
On paper? This is the deepest team UNLV’s had in over a decade.
Myles Che: True point guard. Efficient, unselfish, shot 43% from deep. No, he’s not Dedan — but he’s a baller.
Kimani Hamilton: SEC length with All-Big South numbers. Two-way wing. Plug-and-play piece.
Naas Cunningham: Former 5-star. Still has NBA tools. If Pastner can unlock him? Watch out.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Al Green, Fleming Jr.: High-level guard depth. All can play.
Emmanuel Stephen, Ladji Dembele: Rim protection, athleticism, energy.
Evans & Bannarbie: Returners who know the program, bought into the mission.
Tyrin Jones, Abittan, Williamson: 3 Freshman with bounce and national pedigree.
Coaching staff: Garson, Wilkins, Hawkins — proven, trusted, hungry.
This isn’t a feel-good rebuild.
This is a roster you win with. Now.
But Vegas Doesn’t Do Paper Champions
The Mack offered $99 season tickets last year — about $6 a game.
And still, most of the seats sat empty.
2021–22: 5,224 (27.8%)
2022–23: 5,349 (28.5%)
2023–24: 5,859 (31.2%)
2024–25: 4,969 (26.4%)
Even during big wins, even with Top 25 teams coming in… the building stayed quiet.
That’s not disinterest — it’s disbelief.
Fans have been burned too many times.
The only way to fix that?
Win. Consistently. Immediately.
What’s a Realistic Standard for Year 1?
No spin. No soft landings.
This is the bar:
20+ wins
Top 4 in the Mountain West
Semifinals or better in the conference tournament
NIT minimum — NCAA expected
7,000+ in the building by January
UNLV doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to be relevant again.
It needs to fight like a team that wants the city back.
Winning Is the Only Marketing That Works Now
Forget hashtags. Forget highlight clips.
Vegas rewards substance — not slogans.
What brought 42,000 to Allegiant for UNLV football?
Not social media. Not merch drops.
A program that finally fought like hell to win.
Basketball needs that same grit — that same edge.
Not just on opening night. But every night.
This Is Still a Rebel Town
It’s not about outshining the Raiders or the Golden Knights.
It’s about being UNLV again.
If this team wants to bring the Mack back to life?
If this city is going to care again?
You’ve got to earn it. Not by what’s said. By what’s done.
And with this roster? That bar is high — and fair.
Vegas has waited long enough.
Let’s make it mean something again.