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The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels travel to Phoenix to take on the Grand Canyon Antelopes this Wednesday, February 25, 2026. This high-stakes matchup marks a new era for both programs as they compete in the Mountain West Conference, following GCU’s recent move to the league. Tipoff is set for 9:00 PM ET at the famously loud GCU Arena, with a national broadcast on CBSS.
Grand Canyon (17-10, 12-6 at home) enters as a 7.5-point favorite, looking to protect their home court after a recent narrow loss to Wyoming. UNLV (14-13) arrives with plenty of confidence following a dominant 91-66 win over Air Force. With the over/under set at 153.5 points, bettors should expect an athletic, fast-paced contest between two teams with legitimate postseason aspirations.
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UNLV vs. Grand Canyon Odds
Lines for Mountain West games can fluctuate significantly based on the raucous environment at GCU Arena. Always check the latest college basketball odds before finalizing your bets.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| UNLV Runnin’ Rebels | +285 | +7.5 (-109) | O 153.5 (-110) |
| Grand Canyon Antelopes | -393 | -7.5 (-116) | U 153.5 (-110) |
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Betting Form
The Runnin’ Rebels are finding their rhythm at the right time. In their recent 25-point blowout of Air Force, Kimani Hamilton was unstoppable with 27 points, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (19.9 PPG) added 21. Perhaps most impressively, Howie Fleming Jr. notched a triple-double (10 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast), showcasing the multifaceted threat this UNLV roster poses.
UNLV’s offense is efficient, ranking 80th nationally with a 47.0% field goal percentage. While they hold a 5-7 road record, they have proven capable of scoring in bunches, as evidenced by their 86-point performance against Boise State earlier this season. For a deeper look at their historical performance in Phoenix, visit the UNLV team page.
Grand Canyon Antelopes Betting Form
Grand Canyon is looking to rebound from a 70-65 setback against Wyoming. Despite that loss, Makaih Williams put the team on his back with a 29-point, 7-rebound performance. The Antelopes are a much more dangerous team in Phoenix, where they boast a 12-6 record and a “Havocs” student section that is widely considered one of the best in the nation.
The Lopes’ primary advantage lies at the free-throw line. They rank among the nation’s elite in free throws made per game (16.8), which helps them close out tight contests. With Jaden Henley (15 pts, 5 ast in last outing) facilitating, GCU’s offense is designed to attack the rim and draw contact. To track their home-court dominance, check the Grand Canyon schedule and stats.
UNLV vs. Grand Canyon Matchup Breakdown
This game will be a battle of high-octane offenses. UNLV averages 79.9 PPG, slightly edging out Grand Canyon’s 74.8 PPG. However, GCU’s defense is generally more disciplined, particularly in limiting second-chance points. The key matchup to watch is UNLV’s Kimani Hamilton against GCU’s interior defense; if Hamilton can reproduce his 27-point form, the Rebels will be hard to put away.
Grand Canyon’s path to victory involves slowing down Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and winning the turnover battle. The Antelopes are 12-5 straight-up when favored this season, showing they typically take care of business when the odds are in their favor.
- Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (UNLV): 19.9 PPG average.
- Makaih Williams (GCU): Coming off a 29-point game.
- Home Advantage: GCU is 12-6 at home this season.
- UNLV Efficiency: 47.0% FG percentage (80th in NCAA).
UNLV vs. Grand Canyon Predictions and Best Bets
While Grand Canyon is the better team at home, 7.5 points is a high bar against a UNLV team that just hung 91 points on Air Force. UNLV’s offensive stats are actually superior to GCU’s in several categories, including points per game and field goal percentage. Our model projects a very tight contest with a final score of 78-74 in favor of Grand Canyon, which makes the Rebels a strong play to cover the spread.
For the total, the Under 153.5 is the situational lean. While UNLV can score, GCU’s defense at home tends to be more restrictive, and the high-fouling nature of UNLV games often slows the tempo to a crawl in the second half.
Best Bet: UNLV +7.5 (-109)
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