Rebels rank 14th in final coaches poll

Unranked until late January, UNLV finished the season 14th in the nation in the final USA Today/ESPN coaches poll released Tuesday.

The Rebels went 30-7 and reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 to earn their highest final ranking since being No. 7 in the final Associated Press media poll of 1991-92.

In this season's final AP poll, released before the NCAA Tournament, UNLV was ranked No. 19.

It marks the 14th time since 1975 that the Rebels finished in the top 15 of at least one of the two major polls.

UNLV coach Lon Kruger directed his team to the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship, followed by NCAA Tournament victories over Georgia Tech and Wisconsin.

In the final coaches poll, the Rebels are ranked between No. 13 Butler and No. 15 Southern California. UNR (29-5) finished No. 21.

• SWEET CELEBRATION -- An event honoring the Rebels' season will take place Monday at Cox Pavilion.

The "Sweet 16 Celebration," which is free and open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. The doors to Cox Pavilion will open at 5:30 and the event is scheduled until 8:30.

"Led by our five seniors, this year's team was a special group," Kruger said. "It was a team that was very easy to cheer for and fun to watch. Our fan support was outstanding and a major reason we won 30 games. We are looking forward to Monday for our chance to thank our fans."

Fans will have a chance to shoot baskets with players, take pictures and get autographs.