Moser's Injury Hampers UNLV
UNLV is off to a 7-1 start, ranked in the Top 20 in our poll and were expected to get even better as Pittsburgh-transfer Khem Birch will be joining the team after sitting out one more game. It was expected that head coach Dave Rice might have to work his frontcourt rotation to add the talented Birch to the mix of Anthony Bennett and Mike Moser, but now, it does not appear he will have to. With Moser dislocating his elbow earlier this week, he is expected to sit out at least one month, missing upcoming matchups with North Carolina, New Mexico and likely San Diego.
And while Moser was not having the most productive season (11 points, 8.5 rebounds) after a stellar junior season (14 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1 block, 2 steals), his versatility and strength on the glass will be missed. Anthony Bennett should only continue to shine, but this loss puts big-time pressure on Birch to control the glass and give the team another viable post option.
It will be interesting to see the team chemistry and five-man frontcourt rotation when Moser returns one month from now, but all indications are that this could not have happened to Moser at a worse time. His shooting woes and injury have him slipping quickly down scouts' lists.
By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 12 -12 - 12
