UNLV has been a major early surprise. But the Rebels have played lesser competition except for Utah. The Rebels like to get up and down the floor. Northern Iowa is a tough foe for them because the Panthers play much slower. The Rebels are 5-18-3 ATS in their last 26 road contests.

Unlike UNLV, Northern Iowa is battle-tested having faced Villanova, SMU and NC State. The Panthers dictated pace against those foes - and that pace was slow. Northern Iowa has held its last six opponents to 43 percent or worse shooting from the floor.

The Rebels may not have the proper focus either with a rivalry showdown on tap gainst Arizona.