Game day: UNLV prepares for Colorado State with Thomas in doubt

UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger calls out to players during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Boise State Broncos at Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Photo by Steve Marcus

UNLV has won three straight games, but most of the focus leading up to Saturday's contest against Colorado State (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network) will be on D.J. Thomas after the sophomore star sat out practice on Friday.

Will Thomas be able to suit up and help continue UNLV’s late-season surge? Or will the Scarlet and Gray have to figure out a way to replace their most irreplaceable player?

Three keys to watch:

Thomas uncertain

Head coach Kevin Kruger was quite evasive when discussing Thomas’s status on Friday, saying only that he was “banged up” and that the plan was “to see how he’s feeling.” For any other player that update might suffice, but Thomas is far too important to UNLV for any fan to feel comfortable with this situation.

The good news — and this requires reading between the lines — Thomas’s injury appeared to be to his non-shooting shoulder, and he has played through pain before. So if he can physically power through and help the team against Colorado State on Saturday, he’ll give it a go.

If Thomas can’t play, Kruger will be in the unenviable position of game-planning against a Rams squad that handed UNLV a 22-point defeat at full strength just over a month ago.

Alternate points

UNLV probably has two options for the starting lineup if Thomas is unavailable. Kruger could start either senior guard Jailen Bedford in his place, or go with sophomore guard Brooklyn Hicks.

Bedford is more experienced and has a better outside shot (team-best 37.8 3FG%), while Hicks is a better defender and puts more pressure on the rim (56.3% inside the arc).

The numbers point to Hicks. He has logged four minutes with the other four starters this season, and UNLV has outscored opponents during that span, 15-10. Conversely, when Bedford plays with the other starters, UNLV has been outscored 2-0 in three minutes.

Hicks is ready to take on an expanded role if his number is called.

“I feel like it’s always next man up, no matter what sport or what situation you’re in,” Hicks said.

3-point differential

In the first meeting between these teams, an 84-62 win for Colorado State, the Rams made 12-of-24 from 3-point range while UNLV toiled away at 5-of-17. That difference accounted for almost the entire final margin.

Unfortunately for the Scarlet and Gray, long-distance shooting remains an issue. They are making just 6.5 per game, which ranks 310^th in the nation, and over the past three contests — three victories, mind you — UNLV has made only 18-of-56 from beyond the arc (32.1%). And now Thomas could be out, which would deprive the team of one of its few accurate shooters.

Is there a way UNLV can limit Colorado State’s open 3’s? That will be key to Kruger’s defensive plan.

Team leaders

UNLV (14-12, 8-7 MWC)

Scoring

D.J. Thomas: 15.6 points

Rebounds

Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry: 5.2 rebounds

Assists

D.J. Thomas: 4.7 assists

Colorado State (17-9, 11-4 MWC)

Scoring

Nique Clifford: 18.0 points

Rebounds

Nique Clifford: 10.0 rebounds

Assists

Nique Clifford: 4.1 assists

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.