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No MRI for UNLV’s Mike Moser

Mike Moser, Demetris Morant, Daquan Cook

UNLV’s, from left, Mike Moser, Demetris Morant and Daquan Cook celebrate near the end of an NCAA college basketball game against California, Sunday, Dec.9, 2012 in Berkeley, Calif. UNLV beat California 76-75. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

AP

UNLV do-it-all forward Mike Moser took possibly the ugliest blow of the season when he injured his right elbow in a 76-75 victory over California on Sunday.

According to UNLV beat writer Taylor Bern of the Las Vegas Sun, Moser will not undergo an MRI on his elbow and coach Dave Rice said the Runnin’ Rebels are hoping to have Moser back in a month, though the plan is “conservative but aggressive.”

Everyone that saw the injury thought a lot worse could’ve happened. Much like a knee, any collection of joints, ligaments, tissue and cartilage moving in an awkward position doesn’t bode well for any athlete.

The junior has averaged only 10.9 points to go with 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season. That’s due to some nagging injuries, until, however Sunday night, when “nagging” was replaced with “significant”. He’s done it in 26.9 minutes per game.

Looks like, at least from UNLV’s side, Moser came out lucky after Sunday night’s gruesome-looking spill. But I don’t blame Rice for making his statement. This team is good without Moser. Moser makes them great. They can win without him until the New Mexico and San Diego State games. Not to mention the postseason. Have him healthy then, and they’ll be fine.

David Harten is a sportswriter and college basketball blogger. You can follow him on Twitter at @David_Harten.