Las Vegas Weekly

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Taylor Bern

Wed, Dec 12, 2012 (5:39 p.m.)

Mike Moser’s rehab from a dislocated elbow is expected to take about a month, UNLV coach Dave Rice said Monday. If that’s the case, Moser would return near the start of the conference season, which begins January 9 at New Mexico.

Moser left last Sunday’s one-point win at Cal less than five minutes in after suffering an injury in a pileup. As Moser reached out for the ball with his left hand, Cal guard Brandon Smith fell on his right arm, which was supporting his weight. Replays of the injury are graphic, and Moser eventually returned to the bench with his right arm in a sling. Moser had an X-ray before boarding the plane home that night, and the results were negative, meaning there’s no fracture.

Rehab for this type of injury generally involves a series of small movements and exercises designed to enhance range of motion and strength. It also takes time. But now, at least UNLV knows about how long it will have to play without one of its captains.

In the meantime, the 20th-ranked Rebels are expected to add center Khem Birch Monday night at UTEP. And against Cal, Bryce Dejean-Jones took a big step toward delivering on his potential at small forward, where Moser would have played even more with Birch in the lineup.