Overview
- Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. PT on March 17 at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.
- The winner advances to face Tulsa or Stephen F. Austin in the second round, with the site to be determined for March 21 or 22.
- UNLV enters at 17-16 after a Mountain West quarterfinal loss to Utah State, marking a 13th straight season without an NCAA bid.
- UC Irvine comes in at 23-11 after winning the Big West regular season and falling to Hawaii in the tournament final.
- The Rebels are one of five Mountain West teams in the 32-team field, while San Diego State declined an invitation because of injuries.