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UNLV’s 2013 frontcourt will be stacked with Birch’s transfer

spt-120109-khembirch

Mike Miller

UNLV’s frontcourt is perhaps its biggest strength this season. Might be that way next year, too.

The Rebels will reportedly add Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch to the roster for the 2012-13 season, a 6-9 power forward who thrived as a rebounder in 10 games with the Panthers. But he grew disenchanted with his role in Pitt and wanted something different.

Now he wants something similar to how UNLV uses Mike Moser, a 6-8 forward who’s among the nation’s leading rebounders and averages 14.2 points a game in the Rebels’ up-tempo offense. Probably didn’t hurt that Birch paired with Moser during his visit to Vegas.

“I really like UNLV,” he told The RecruitScoop.com. “It was a very tough decision but UNLV is a good fit for me because of the coaches, players and facilities. I will be able to train during my time off. Also, I can develop under a great, young coach in Dave Rice. He and the entire staff made me feel very comfortable in Las Vegas.”

UNLV loses Chace Stanback and Brice Massamba from its frontcourt (and Oscar Bellfield from the backcourt), so Birch shouldn’t have too much trouble stepping into a prime role. He’ll be one of five newcomers to the Rebels’ roster, though UNLV could add another impact player with its remaining scholarship.

The dream is Las Vegas native Shabazz Muhammad. But Birch is buddies with Anthony Bennett, another power forward who plays at Las Vegas school Findlay Prep. That

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