UNLV moves to No. 20 in AP poll

When UNLV plays the University of La Verne on Thursday at Orleans Arena, the Rebels will have a No. 20 ranking in the Associated Press poll, and no Mike Moser in the lineup.

Moser, a junior forward and the team's leading rebounder, is expected to return to the Rebels by mid-January after suffering a dislocated right elbow Sunday.

"The anticipated rehab is one month," coach Dave Rice said.

Moser's injury occurred early in the Rebels' 76-75 victory over California. Less than five minutes in, he crashed to the floor while chasing a loose ball and had to be helped to the locker room. His arm was in a sling after the game, and X-rays were negative, showing no fracture. Rice said no MRI exam was planned.

Moser was averaging 12.3 points and 9.2 rebounds going into the game at Cal, where he had two points and three rebounds.

Rice said mid-January is "just the approximate timetable" for Moser's return. UNLV (7-1) opens Mountain West Conference play Jan. 9 at New Mexico.

Despite Moser's injury, UNLV climbed another rung on the rankings ladder. The USA Today-ESPN coaches poll put the Rebels at No. 17, up from No. 18.

Regardless of the Rebels' ranking, Moser's injury will alter their lineup. Quintrell Thomas stepped in after Moser's injury and scored the winning bucket on a put-back with 1.2 seconds remaining.

A trio of 9-0 teams topped AP's rankings, with Indiana at No. 1, Duke at No. 2 and Michigan at No. 3.

The Mountain West Conference continued to have three teams in the AP poll. New Mexico and San Diego State swapped spots, with the Lobos taking over No. 17 and the Aztecs dropping a spot.

■ NOTE - UNLV freshman Anthony Bennett was named Mountain West player of the week after helping the Rebels go 2-0 on the road. Bennett had 18 points in a 68-60 win at Portland on Dec. 4, then had 25 points and 13 rebounds in the win at Cal.