Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

After a week hiatus, the UNLV basketball team is back in the Associated Press rankings.

The Rebels (13-2), fresh off a pair of double-digit wins last week, are ranked No. 24 in the poll released today. The Rebels had been ranked eight straight weeks by the AP before dropping out last week following their defeat at North Carolina.

UNLV begins Mountain West Conference play Wednesday at No. 25 New Mexico, opening league play with road games in three of its initial four contests. UNLV hosts Air Force on Saturday and hits the road next week for a pair of games — Jan. 16 at No. 16 San Diego State and Jan. 19 at non-ranked Colorado State (13-2).

Undefeated Wyoming (13-0) of the Mountain West nearly cracked the top 25 with 87 votes, which was 15 less than the number New Mexico received in 25th place.

The top seven teams in the AP rankings remained the same, starting with top-ranked Duke followed by Michigan, Arizona, Louisville, Indiana, Kansas and Syracuse. Oklahoma State and Pittsburgh fell out of the rankings.

UNLV is ranked No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, moving up from last week when it was ranked No. 24.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.