UNLV Basketball Earns NIT Bid, Set to Face UC Irvine

Rebels to continue season after missing NCAA Tournament for 13th straight year

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:33am

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The UNLV Rebels basketball team has earned an invitation to the NIT tournament, where they will face off against the UC Irvine Anteaters in the opening round on March 17. This will be UNLV's second NIT appearance in the last three years, as they look to build momentum in the first season under new head coach Josh Pastner.

Why it matters

UNLV's NIT bid represents an opportunity for the team to continue developing under Pastner and gain valuable postseason experience, despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the 13th consecutive year. The matchup against UC Irvine, who won the Big West regular season title but fell short in their conference tournament, adds an intriguing storyline as both teams look to extend their seasons.

The details

UNLV will host UC Irvine in the opening round of the NIT on March 17 at 8 p.m. local time. The Rebels are seeking to build on their quarterfinal appearance in the 2024 NIT, while the Anteaters will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss in the Big West tournament championship game. The winner of this matchup will advance to face the victor of the Tulsa-Stephen F. Austin game in the second round.

  • UNLV will host UC Irvine in the NIT opening round on March 17, 2026 at 8 p.m. local time.
  • UNLV last faced UC Irvine in 2012, when freshman Anthony Bennett led the Rebels to an 85-57 victory.

The players

Josh Pastner

Head coach of the UNLV Rebels basketball team, in his first season leading the program.

Anthony Bennett

Former UNLV Rebels basketball player who faced UC Irvine as a freshman in 2012.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to receive an invitation to the NIT and grateful for the opportunity to continue our season. Any time you get the chance to keep competing with your group, it's something you appreciate. For us, especially in our first year building this program, it's a great chance to continue our positive trajectory toward our larger goals.”

— Josh Pastner, Head Coach, UNLV Rebels

What’s next

The winner of the UNLV-UC Irvine matchup will advance to face the victor of the Tulsa-Stephen F. Austin game in the second round of the NIT, with the location and date of that game to be determined.

The takeaway

UNLV's NIT bid represents an opportunity for the team to gain valuable postseason experience and continue building momentum under new head coach Josh Pastner, despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the 13th consecutive year. The matchup against UC Irvine adds an intriguing storyline as both teams look to extend their seasons and advance in the NIT tournament.