UNLV basketball tabbed to finish No. 6 in Mountain West
The 2026 Mountain West Conference basketball trophy is displayed during the league's media day, Oct. 23, 2025, at Resorts World Las Vegas. Photo by: Sun staff photo
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 | 9:37 a.m.
The UNLV basketball team was picked sixth in the preseason Mountain West Conference poll, the league announced this morning.
The poll, compiled by the league’s media members, places perennial powerhouse San Diego State at No. 1, followed by Utah State, Boise State, newcomer Grand Canyon and New Mexico rounding out the top five.
New Mexico won the regular season title last year but lost coach Richard Pitino to Xavier. Colorado State captured the conference tournament championship.
UNLV, under first-year coach Josh Pastner, had one player on preseason all-conference team in Kimani Hamilton, a transfer forward from High Point. The senior averaged 13.1 points per game last season in helping High Point reach the NCAA Tournament.
San Diego State junior forward Miles Heide, who averaged 12.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season, earned preseason player of the year honors. Grand Canyon’s Brian Moore Jr. was named the top newcomer, while San Diego State’s Elzie Harrington took freshman of the year.
Pastner said his team is working through multiple injuries, notably to point guard Myles Che and several post players.
He expects the roster to be at full strength before conference play begins in mid-December, with Che projected to return in the opening weeks of the season.