Rebels welcome Moser’s personality, versatility

It's not something for which he needs to seek therapy, but Mike Moser admits to a split personality. One minute he's clowning around, and the next he's "real intense and serious."

Off the basketball court, Moser said, "It's always fun and jokes."

Moser had time to be relaxed last season while sitting out after transferring to UNLV from UCLA. During that time, when he was often the best player on the floor in practices, it became obvious Moser is a serious talent.

The redshirt sophomore, who is listed at 6 feet 8 inches but says he is really 6-7, is ready to step in and play a major role for the Rebels.

"I'm a guy who's going to bring a lot of energy to the game and will do anything to help his team win," Moser said. "I bring a lot of versatility being 6-7 and real long, and being able to defend guards and big men."

Moser's abilities to play in the paint and beyond the 3-point line should make him a perfect fit for UNLV coach Dave Rice's transition game. Moser will need to handle the ball in the open court and also go inside to post up and rebound.

"He's going to be a 4-man for us. We will play really with four guys on the perimeter and a post man inside, and I think the versatility that Mike brings, where he can post up but also play on the perimeter, really gives us an opportunity to utilize his athleticism," Rice said. "Our style of play lends itself to him being really successful.

"We're excited about Mike. He brings great athleticism, and I think he will flourish in our system. He's got a chance to have a terrific career at UNLV."

In April, after former coach Lon Kruger left for Oklahoma and was replaced by Rice, Moser was not as thrilled about his future at UNLV.

"With the coaching change, at first it didn't sit well with me because I didn't know who Coach Rice was or anything like that," Moser said.

When he became more familiar with Rice, Moser noticed the two had similar personalities.

"It really made it easy for me to stay," Moser said. "As you can see with practice, he's a really laid-back guy off the court, but on the floor he gets just as excited as we do."

Moser was Oregon's Mr. Basketball as a senior, when he averaged 28.3 points and 13 rebounds, and was ranked one of the nation's top 100 prep players in the 2009 class. But he warmed the bench as a UCLA freshman -- playing in only 15 of 32 games and scoring a total of nine points -- and sought more playing time than he was getting from Bruins coach Ben Howland.

Senior forward Chace Stanback, the Rebels' top returning scorer and rebounder, left UCLA after one year for the same reason. Moser called Stanback a "big mentor" and positive influence in his decision to transfer to UNLV.

"Mike works real hard off the court and on the court. He's a great guy to be around," Stanback said. "He shoots the ball well, plays defense and goes hard every minute. That's the type of player you want on your team."

Moser arrived at UNLV as a wiry 192-pounder and spent his year off working with Jason Kabo, the Rebels' assistant director of strength and conditioning. Kabo said Moser is up to 210 pounds and has increased his weightlifting numbers in all areas.

"That was one of my biggest concerns," Moser said. "I really tried to make strides with getting bigger and stronger, being able to battle with real big forwards or (centers) if I had to, and I definitely feel strong enough to do that.

"It was probably the toughest year of my entire basketball career. Watching the ups and the downs from the sidelines was tough. It feels good to finally feel like a part of everything."

Moser led all scorers with 16 points in UNLV's 20-minute public scrimmage Sunday. But that does not guarantee he will be an instant star when the regular season arrives in November.

"Obviously, there's going to be a little bit of rust on him just from not having played for a year," Rice said. "We're expecting big things from him. But we're certainly going to be patient.

"I think the thing that is really unique about Mike is he brings great leadership qualities. He's never played a minute at UNLV, and yet he's really got the respect of his teammates. Mike has a great personality."

It's a split personality that Rice appreciates.

"He's laid back off the floor, but he understands that when he crosses onto the court, it's all business," Rice said. "He suddenly becomes no joking and he's 100 percent serious."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.