Khem Birch's Impact For UNLV
The long-awaited arrival of former High School All-American center, Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch, is finally here. And much needed too as forward Mike Moser is out for the next month. After playing in just 150 minutes for the Pitt Panthers, Birch, a 6'9" frontcourt staple, has been eligible for just three games for UNLV, but is making a tremendous impact on the floor.
Birch has seen an increase in his minutes each of the three contests since being declaring eligible by the NCAA this season. He fell just one rebound shy of a double-double against Northern Iowa, and put up a masterful 20-point, 8-rebound, 6-block, 3-assist performance against Canisius. Birch brings much-needed size, especially given his rebounding talent and interior presence on defense. Without him, this UNLV team didn't have much identity in the frontcourt- Moser and freshman Anthony Bennett were two small forwards playing out of position without the size in the middle. Birch takes this team from being a Top 25 talent to National Title Contender from what he has brought thus far.
By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 12 -29- 12
