The 2008-2009 UNLV Runnin' Rebels season will be the 53rd collegiate basketball team fielded by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and will play all but one of their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus, with one game being played at the Orleans Arena. The team will be looking to improve on a productive season after finishing 27-8 (12-4 MWC) placing 2nd in the Mountain West regular season and winning their second straight conference tournament championship and advancing to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament in coach Lon Kruger's fourth season as head coach.