Rebels getting hot against the spread, but still puzzling bettors

By Ryan Greene

Monday, Jan. 26, 2009 | 6 p.m.

While the UNLV men's basketball team has won 3 consecutive league games following back-to-back puzzling losses, they've made gamblers who have stuck with them through the thin quite happy.

With Saturday's 75-65 victory at home over Utah, the Rebels covered a point spread that shrunk from having them favored by 5 points down to 3 or 3.5, depending on the sports book, just before tip-off.

At the Las Vegas Hilton, it closed at 3.5.

"Everybody was talking about how this was going to be a letdown, but the number already reflected the adjustment of it going to be a tough spot for UNLV, coming off of a very emotional road win (at BYU)," said Jay Kornegay, the executive director of the Hilton's Race & Sports Book.

The Rebels, though, continue to be one of the toughest teams for bettors to figure out this season.

Of their 20 regular season contests, 19 have been available for wagering. Lon Kruger's club is a so-so 8-11 against the spread.

"They seem to play down to the level or up to the level of their competition," Kornegay said. "I know they'd like to have 3 games back, that's for sure -- Cincinnati, TCU and Colorado State."

Those three games -- plus a Nov. 28 setback to California -- were contests in which UNLV entered as the favorite. As a favorite, the Rebels are just 5-11 against the spread.

Where they appear to thrive is as an underdog.

They have closed as underdogs in three games this season -- at UTEP on Nov. 24 (+1), at Louisville on Dec. 31 (+13.5) and at BYU on Jan. 21 (+8).

The Rebels didn't just cover the spreads in each of those tilts, but won outright.

Of course, UNLV has also provided gamblers some heart attack moments which are synonymous with sports betting.

In last Saturday's 83-66 home triumph against Wyoming, Joe Darger hit a late 3-pointer from the corner against an expiring shot clock to cover a 14-point spread.

No line is yet set, but UNLV will more than likely have an opportunity to improve its 5-11 mark against the spread when favored on Saturday, as the Rebels travel to face Air Force, who is currently 0-5 in Mountain West play.