UNLV moves up in RPI

How big was UNLV’s 60-50 win over Air Force on Tuesday night for its NCAA Tournament hopes? Well, if the latest RPI ratings are any clue, it was big.

The Runnin’ Rebels (23-6, 10-4) moved up to No. 10 in the Feb. 22 ratings put out by Jerry Palm’s CollegeRPI.com report according to the Mountain West Conference.

UNLV has the top RPI of any MWC squad. Air Force dropped to No. 16 after the loss to the Rebels while first place BYU, which has tough back-to-back road dates at San Diego State and Air Force, is No. 21.

Last year any team with an RPI of 21 or above was selected to play in the NCAA Tournament.