Rebel Daily Drive 5.22.2026 | Pastner’s Roster Takes Shape + Pac-12/Mountain West Settlement Fallout

Rebel Daily Drive is back as Mike Cooper breaks down a busy stretch for UNLV athletics, from Josh Pastner continuing to build out the basketball roster to the latest movement in the Pac-12/Mountain West settlement. The Rebels added Jackson Kiss and Kota Suttle Jr., giving Pastner two young developmental pieces as the roster starts to take real shape.Mike also dives into what this roster is becoming, why the NCAA Tournament standard still matters, how the Players Era matchup with Kansas gives UNLV an early measuring stick, and why the Mountain West settlement will continue to impact the bigger picture around UNLV’s future.0:00 — Intro + catching up on UNLV news1:00 — Josh Pastner adds more roster pieces1:35 — Jackson Kiss flips from Iowa State to UNLV2:50 — Episode roadmap: roster, Players Era, Pac-12/MW settlement4:38 — Quick UNLV football odds update5:26 — Current UNLV basketball roster breakdown7:51 — Allyn Breed eligibility situation9:00 — Where UNLV stands in the new Mountain West10:14 — Pastner’s roster-building vision12:38 — Jackson Kiss evaluation and fit17:22 — Why Kiss is more than just a freshman flyer20:13 — Kota Suttle Jr. evaluation and fit24:56 — Suttle’s defensive edge and “dog” mentality29:18 — Marcus Smart-style comparison and realistic path31:19 — Pastner’s NIL reality and Moneyball roster approach33:38 — Tyler Harris projection35:58 — Dontrez Williams projection37:40 — Terrence Ford and Cam Miles outlook40:35 — Is this an NCAA Tournament roster yet?42:07 — Players Era matchup with Kansas45:08 — Why early measuring-stick games matter48:07 — Mountain West path and at-large concerns49:56 — Pac-12/Mountain West settlement breakdown52:30 — What UNLV could receive financially57:46 — Why staying in the Mountain West can be defended1:00:53 — Short-term payout vs long-term conference position1:04:29 — Why the decision will keep being debated1:07:07 — Final thoughts on roster, settlement, and what comes nextFollow The Scarlet Standard on all socials@ss_medialvRead more coveragehttps://the-scarlet-standard.comGrab your gearhttps://vegasvarsity.comUse code SSM10 for 10% off