League-Record Three MWC Men's Basketball Teams Ranked in Top 25

UNLV joins BYU and New Mexico in both polls

Feb. 8, 2010

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -

UNLV re-entered the national Top-25 men’s basketball polls this week, joining BYU and New Mexico in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls.

New Mexico (21-3 overall) is the highest-ranked MWC member in the AP Top 25, coming in at No. 15, followed by BYU (22-3) at No. 17 and UNLV (19-4) at No. 23. In the Coaches’ Poll, the Cougars rank 17th, the Lobos follow at No. 19 and the Runnin’ Rebels round out the grouping, positioned at No. 25.

This marks the first time in the Mountain West’s 11-year history that three teams are ranked in the Top 25 at the same time. The MWC is one of five conferences (Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) with at least three teams ranked in both polls.

Wins by UNLV and New Mexico on Saturday created a three-way logjam atop the Mountain West standings. The Runnin' Rebels handed a 88-74 loss to BYU, while the Lobos recorded an 88-86 overtime victory vs. San Diego State. BYU, New Mexico and UNLV now all own identical 7-2 marks in league play.

This week’s Conference slate features four games involving ranked teams, highlighted by a Top-25 matchup on Wednesday featuring New Mexico at UNLV. The Lobos enter the contest riding a seven-game win streak, while the Runnin’ Rebels have won five consecutive games. The contest will tip off at 8 p.m. PT and will air nationally on CBS College Sports Network.

The Cougars are off until Saturday, when they put their 19-game home win streak on the line against Air Force (4 p.m. MT, The Mtn.).