The Rebels have a strong 6-1 start. But, the next 5 games will play a crucial role in how their non-conference record is viewed come March.
I took a flight a couple years ago, and after coasting through most of the trip, we hit "unstable air" (as the pilot referred to it) and the plane started to rock. Sometimes a college basketball season can go the same way (especially in the non-conference portion of the year).
UNLV basketball has experienced a successful first part of their non-conference schedule, perhaps even surprising some doubters who believed the Rebels were too young to perform well against experienced teams they would face.