UNLV Basketball's Rocky Start: Coach Josh Pastner Reflects on Season Opener
The Josh Pastner era at UNLV began with optimism, but the season opener against the UT Martin Skyhawks ended in disappointment. The matchup, played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on November 4, 2025, saw the Rebels fall 86–81.
Strong Beginning, Costly Mistakes
UNLV opened the game with energy and led 43–39 at halftime. Yet the first half was defined by turnovers and fouls. The Rebels committed 14 turnovers before the break, giving Tennessee-Martin a chance to score 21 points off those mistakes. These errors underscored an urgent need to sharpen ball control and decision-making.
Foul Trouble Impacts Key Players
Fouls continued to haunt UNLV throughout the game. Senior forward Kimani Hamilton, among others, struggled to stay on the court due to foul trouble.
“Hamilton fouled out with 9:32 left in the game,” the report noted, leading to an extraordinary 48 free throws for the Skyhawks.
UNLV’s lack of defensive discipline allowed Tennessee-Martin to draw frequent fouls and maintain momentum from the free-throw line, making 27 of their attempts.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the game provided clear lessons for the Rebels — from reducing turnovers to improving defensive discipline. Coach Pastner and his team will aim to apply these early-season lessons as the campaign progresses.
Author’s summary: A promising start turned turbulent for UNLV as turnovers and fouls undermined their opener, exposing areas that Coach Pastner’s squad must urgently address.