AIR FORCE vs. UNLV

3 THINGS TO WATCH

1. AIR FORCE’S OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCYThe Falcons have done a good job recently of shortening games by slowing the pace of play – which seems like the right strategy. But Air Force must be more efficient and avoid the scoring droughts that have plagued them all season. Something that clearly would help would be hitting some more shots from the perimeter. The Falcons went 2-for-17 from 3-point range in this week’s loss to Utah.

2. UNLV G KENDALL WALLACEThe junior ranks eighth in the Mountain West Conference in 3-point shooting percentage in league games (39.4 percent), and he can get hot in a hurry. In the Rebels’ 60-50 victory over Air Force on Jan. 26, Wallace missed all three of his 3-point attempts in the first half, and Air Force went to halftime with a 24-21 advantage. Wallace, however, drained four straight 3s in the second half as UNLV scored on eight of 10 possessions to take control of the game.

3. AIR FORCE G EVAN WASHINGTONThe Falcons are at their best when Washington is scoring – he had a career-high 23 in Air Force’s lone MWC victory. But the junior has been struggling of late. After averaging 10.8 points in the Falcons’ first nine league contests, he’s scored 18 in their past four on 7-of-26 shooting (26.9 percent). Washington could just be wearing down. He averages a team-high 34.4 minutes per game, second-most in the league.

Quote to Note: “You guys are the foundation here, just stick with it.” – Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds on what he recently told his freshmen.

Note to Quote: If Air Force loses, it would fall to 1-13 in the MWC with two regular-season league games left. That would clinch the worst two-year regular season stretch in league history. Colorado State had the previous worst, winning four games in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.

Photo by