Missouri’s men’s basketball program is set to travel to Las Vegas for a preseason exhibition on October 29, 2026, where they will meet the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The matchup marks the final tune‑up for the Tigers before the official start of the 2026‑27 season, which begins on November 3, 2026.
The road back to St. Louis
Missouri’s first officially announced game of the regular season will be a homecoming against Saint Louis on November 6, 2026, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, a venue that will also host the team’s season‑opening crowd.
UNLV, under head coach Josh Pastner, enters the exhibition with a 18‑17 record from his inaugural season and a second‑round NIT appearance, giving the Rebels a competitive edge heading into the desert showdown.
The Rebels have bolstered their roster this offseason by acquiring former Missouri guard Sebastian Mack through the transfer portal, adding depth and experience to their backcourt.
The game will be open to the public, offering fans in Nevada a chance to see both teams in action before the regular season officially begins.
For Missouri, the Las Vegas appearance is more than a warm‑up; it is a strategic opportunity to fine‑tune rotations, test new lineups and build chemistry under the guidance of head coach Dennis Gates, who has been steering the program through a period of transition.