The UNLV Rebels enter their November 25, 2025 road matchup against the Maryland Terrapins with the urgency, uncertainty and opportunity that come with the first year of a new era under head coach Josh Pastner, as the program continues its rebuild with a reshaped roster, an evolving identity and a desire to reestablish relevance by competing fearlessly against major-conference opponents, and this game represents one of their earliest chances to define who they can become. UNLV arrives with a preseason projection around the mid-fifties nationally, reflecting a team that possesses athleticism, transfer-driven upside and defensive energy, yet lacks the continuity, proven offensive efficiency and consistent perimeter shooting required to confidently approach a matchup of this magnitude, meaning they must lean heavily on execution, focus and collective intensity to bridge the talent and experience gap. Offensively the Rebels must avoid stagnant possessions, poor spacing and over-dribbling—issues that can become fatal against a Maryland team installing a disciplined defensive system under Buzz Williams—and instead emphasize early rhythm through transition opportunities, drive-and-kick actions, decisive ball movement and purposeful interior touches that force the Terps to rotate and reveal any cohesion issues that naturally arise within a newly assembled roster. UNLV must also remain committed to protecting the ball, as Maryland’s defensive structure thrives on turnovers that lead to easy baskets and allow the Terps to dictate tempo; the Rebels cannot afford to give away possessions or allow Maryland to generate the kind of early runs that bury underdogs on the road. Defensively UNLV must bring high energy, active hands and disciplined footwork, focusing on shrinking space, contesting shots without fouling, and disrupting Maryland’s attempts to establish half-court rhythm, particularly through attacking the ball-handler and challenging first passes that initiate Williams’s system.

Rebounding represents a major challenge, as Maryland’s frontcourt depth and physicality pose a significant threat on the boards, but UNLV’s athleticism and willingness to crash as a committee can help narrow that gap; the Rebels must secure defensive rebounds to prevent Maryland from generating second-chance scoring or controlling tempo through extended possessions, while also seeking opportunistic offensive boards to create extra chances that keep the pressure on the Terps’ developing rotations. Transition defense must be executed with urgency, as Maryland has the personnel to run selectively and will capitalize on slow recoveries or miscommunications, and UNLV must sprint back, communicate early and prevent Maryland from finding easy scoring before the Rebels can set their defense. Psychologically the Rebels must embrace their underdog role without surrendering belief, maintaining composure amid Maryland’s crowd energy and early-game pushes while demonstrating that their system and effort can withstand adversity; Pastner must keep his players grounded, poised and committed to the plan even if early possessions do not break their way. Ultimately UNLV’s path to competitiveness rests on defensive cohesion, ball security, rebounding effort and offensive structure—if they can force Maryland into a grind, minimize mistakes and capitalize on Maryland’s early-season chemistry gaps, the Rebels have a realistic chance to compete deeper into the contest than projections may indicate, but doing so requires forty minutes of disciplined, high-energy basketball.