The brand new-look Mountain West in 2026 actually received’t have the cache the present membership does in sure sports activities.
Gone would be the likes of Boise State in soccer and San Diego State in males’s basketball.
They, together with Colorado State, Fresno State and Utah State, are headed to the Pac-12.
Which implies UNLV must rule the Mountain West in its two most essential sports activities after the transition.
Rule it in most all sports activities.
The concept that UNLV might grow to be one of many higher Group of 5 packages nationally is hardly far-fetched. It has benefits that others don’t.
That kind of success would additionally go a good distance towards the Rebels securing an invite to a Energy 4 convention just like the Large 12. Which needs to be the last word objective.
A legit program
Soccer is the important thing. It’s the engine that drives any athletic division’s bus.
The Rebels now have a legit Division I program because of the work of former coach Barry Odom, who left for Purdue after two historic seasons at UNLV.
However this system gave itself greater than a puncher’s likelihood at persevering with its successful methods by hiring former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen. And as soon as the Rebels now not need to play Boise State, which has defeated them within the final two convention championship video games, they need to grow to be the league’s premier workforce.
UNLV can’t afford to take a step again in soccer, particularly in a watered down Mountain West. The Rebels must compete for a convention championship yearly and provides themselves an opportunity to earn a School Soccer Playoff berth. They got here up only one win brief final season.
UNLV must stick with it when the league consists of the likes of Air Pressure, Hawaii, UNR, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, San Jose State, UTEP and Wyoming. The Mountain West can even add Grand Canyon and UC Davis as non-football taking part in members.
Profitable soccer video games would make the Rebels extra engaging to the Large 12. But it surely’s greater than that.
Profitable creates curiosity and curiosity typically results in extra people attending video games. Which implies extra people spending cash in your program. Which implies a significantly better backside line.
UNLV has vital athletic debt at $27 million. Getting extra folks to Allegiant Stadium might clearly assist scale back that.
The identical will be mentioned for males’s basketball. It’s on new coach Josh Pastner to construct a program able to making the NCAA Match frequently. Simpler mentioned than finished. The Rebels haven’t certified for March Insanity since 2013.
That may’t proceed. Basketball within the new-look Mountain West needs to be extra aggressive than soccer, however among the convention’s higher packages are nonetheless leaving. UNLV can have each likelihood to struggle for titles.
That’s what must occur. There needs to be no excuses.
Imagine in successful
The Rebels have what it takes. Their amenities are on par with a number of Energy 4 colleges. UNLV is a top-tier analysis establishment with a medical faculty and regulation faculty. The Las Vegas market continues to develop within the sports activities world.
The items are in place for the Large 12 to take an curiosity.
However UNLV can show it’s prepared for a leap up by dominating on the sector. There isn’t a cause the Rebels can’t achieve this when 2026 arrives and the Mountain West is filled with new members.
UNLV must set an ordinary. It must be the one everybody else within the league chases.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports activities column writing, will be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. He will be heard on “The Press Field,” ESPN Radio 100.9 FM and 1100 AM, from 7 to 10 a.m. Monday by way of Friday. Comply with @edgraney on X.
