Birch brings help to Rebels basketball just in time

EL PASO, Texas - A swift runner even at 6 feet 9 inches, Khem Birch is a skilled shot blocker and rebounder. Almost every day after practice, he has worked on post moves in an effort to improve as a scorer.

But there is at least one thing he can't do.

"Every night, I just can't sleep," the sophomore center said. "That's how crazy it is. I'm really excited and nervous at the same time."

More than a year since he last played in a basketball game, Birch is set to debut for No. 20 UNLV (8-1) when it faces Texas-El Paso (3-4) at 5 p.m. today at the Don Haskins Center.

"Khem will be able to fit right in right away," said coach Dave Rice, who plans to use Birch off the bench for 15 to 20 minutes as a backup to senior Quintrell Thomas, the Rebels' hero on their last road trip.

Thomas' layup with 1.2 seconds remaining lifted UNLV to a 76-75 victory over California on Dec. 9. But it was a win that came at a cost, as junior forward Mike Moser was lost to a dislocated right elbow. Rice said he is "very encouraged" by Moser's progress and expects him to return in early to mid-January.

The absence of Moser, the team's No. 2 scorer and rebounder, means Birch's long-awaited arrival comes at an ideal time for UNLV.

"I just can't believe it's almost here," said Birch, eligible as a midseason transfer from Pittsburgh, where he played his final game on Dec. 10, 2011. He appeared in 10 games and started six for the Panthers.

Birch, a native of Montreal, is the second half of the Rebels' Canadian connection. Freshman forward Anthony Bennett, from Brampton, Ontario, and Findlay Prep, has been dominant while leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Both were McDonald's All-Americans in high school.

Birch's decision to transfer to UNLV in January helped convince Bennett to commit to the Rebels in May.

But Birch, who spent his senior year at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., is not ready to make the explosive impact Bennett (20.3 points per game) has made on the offensive end.

"I was really raw last year. I didn't even know what a drop-step was and all that," Birch said. "I feel like I'm in shape, but I need to get in game shape."

Birch has been fine-tuning his post moves with the help of UNLV assistant coaches Stacey Augmon and Justin Hutson. On the other end of the floor, he is far more polished, and his ability to defend the rim and rebound should fill two of the team's obvious holes.

"What he brings on the defensive end will make a big difference," Rice said. "We'll be able to take more risks and pressure the ball more. He's a fantastic post presence, particularly on defense. He blocks shots, he rebounds and he can run.

"Khem works extremely hard on his offensive game. He's done that since he got here. But certainly there will be a little rust on him because he hasn't played in a game in a year."

When the Miners and Rebels met last December at the Thomas & Mack Center, UTEP coach Tim Floyd slowed the tempo and forced a halfcourt game. Anthony Marshall hit a series of big shots during a 16-6 run that finished off UNLV's 65-54 victory.

"Floyd has always been good at defensive game planning," Rice said. "We're ready for whatever they do."

The Miners, led by forwards Chris Washburn and Julian Washburn, are big and deep on the front line. They also are welcoming some help for today's game, with shooting guard Konner Tucker returning from a hand injury and 6-6 guard McKenzie Moore becoming eligible after transferring.

Birch's presence should help the Rebels counter the Miners' interior strength.

"He's definitely a shot changer. Anybody who comes into the lane and sees him, you're just not going to take the ball up and everything is going to be cool," UNLV freshman forward Savon Goodman said. "Just having Khem in the lineup changes everything on defense.

"He's a great athlete. He's as good as he wants to be. The sky is the limit for that kid."

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