The UNLV basketball team opens its 2012-13 conference schedule with arguably the two most difficult road trips in its first three games.

After wrapping up the nonconference slate on Jan. 5 at home against CSU Bakersfield, the Rebels have a few days off before traveling to the Pit in Albuquerque on Jan. 9 to face 2012 co-Mountain West champ New Mexico on CBS Sports Network. UNLV then returns home for a game against Air Force before heading back on the road to face the other co-champ from last year, San Diego State. That game is also on CBS Sports Network. UNLV hasn’t won at the Aztecs’ Viejas Arena since 2008.

Since the 16-game schedule is essentially split into two halves, the Rebels will welcome in New Mexico (Feb. 9) and San Diego State (Feb. 16) exactly a month after playing those teams on the road. Both of those games are on NBC Sports Network.

The UNR home game is Jan. 30 on CBS Sports Network.

Additionally, it was announced that UNLV’s marquee nonconference game at North Carolina on Dec. 29 will be at 11 a.m. Las Vegas time on ESPN2. Also, the Thomas & Mack Center will once again host the Mountain West Basketball Championships, which will be played March 12-16.

Below is the full conference schedule, including TV and time where available. Most of the times will be released at a later date, as will additional TV coverage.

Jan. 9 — at New Mexico (CBS Sports Network)

Jan. 12 — AIR FORCE

Jan. 16 — at San Diego State (CBS Sports Network)

Jan. 19 — at Colorado State (NBC Sports Network)

Jan. 24 — WYOMING, 6 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Jan. 30 — UNR (CBS Sports Network)

Feb. 2 — at Boise State

Feb. 6 — at Fresno State

Feb. 9 — NEW MEXICO (NBC Sports Network)

Feb. 13 — at Air Force

Feb. 16 — SAN DIEGO STATE (NBC Sports Network)

Feb. 20 — COLORADO STATE (CBS Sports Network)

Feb. 23 — at Wyoming

March 2 — at UNR (NBC Sports Network)

March 6 — BOISE STATE

March 9 — FRESNO STATE

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.