Aztecs win first battle with Rebels – in Mountain West Conference poll

It was nothing personal, Mike Moser said, after he was snubbed in the voting for preseason Player of the Year in the Mountain West Conference.

The UNLV junior forward credited Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State's junior guard, for being worthy of the honor. Moser accepted what could be considered a coin-flip decision.

"Franklin's a really talented kid," he said. "I respect his game a lot, and I hope he has a good year."

But Moser was not so gracious about the Rebels being slighted as a team. The Aztecs were tabbed as the league favorites for the 2012-13 basketball season in the media poll released Monday, edging UNLV 10-8 in first-place votes.

"Yes, that does bother me," Moser said. "But it's hard to live up to expectations. I feel like it's easier to go against what people are saying and prove people wrong."

The rivalry between the Rebels and Aztecs - and Moser and Franklin - will heat up again in a few months. Until then, it's all talk. In the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll released last week, UNLV was ranked No. 19, one spot ahead of San Diego State.

"I think preseason polls are a lot of fun. There's speculation and there's conversation, just like preseason rankings, and it's a lot of fun to be part of it," Rebels coach Dave Rice said. "It's nice to be regarded as one of the better teams in the league. But it doesn't really mean a whole lot. Whether you are picked one, two, three or whatever it is, we all know there's going to come a time in January that it's going to happen for real.

"We all know San Diego State is a very good team. Our goal every year is to compete for a conference championship."

The Aztecs and Rebels are followed in the poll by New Mexico, Colorado State and Mountain West newcomer UNR. The bottom tier included Wyoming, Fresno State, Boise State and Air Force in ninth. San Diego State and New Mexico shared last season's regular-season title, and the Lobos won the conference tournament.

"You know how the Mountain West is, it's dog eat dog. That's really the best way to explain it," Moser said. "The road schedule is ridiculous. It's going to be a tough conference, and we're definitely going to beat up on each other."

Moser and Franklin are joined on the preseason first team by San Diego State senior guard Chase Tapley, UNR junior guard Deonte Burton and New Mexico junior guard Kendall Williams.

Franklin led the league in scoring at 17.4 points per game. Moser led the Rebels in scoring (14.0) and rebounding (10.5).

"Mike certainly would have been very deserving of being the preseason Player of the Year," Rice said. "He has worked extremely hard, and I can't be objective where that's concerned because I just think so highly of Mike. But I know what a terrific player Jamaal Franklin is, as well. Both of those guys are very highly regarded."

The same goes for UNLV's Anthony Bennett, voted the league's top freshman. Rebels sophomore guard Bryce Dejean-Jones and the Aztecs' Dwayne Polee were named co-Newcomers of the Year.

■ WOMEN'S POLL - The UNLV women's basketball team, which returns all-conference guards Kelli Thompson and Mia Bell, received its highest preseason conference ranking since 2004-05. The Lady Rebels are picked to finish third this season, behind favorite San Diego State and Fresno State.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.