Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Mike Moser's rehab from a dislocated elbow is expected to take about a month, UNLV coach Dave Rice said Monday. If that's the case, Moser would return near the start of the conference season, which begins exactly a month after the Cal game on Jan. 9 at New Mexico.

Less than a week after missing a game in his hometown because of a hip injury, Moser left Sunday’s 76-75 victory at Cal less than five minutes in because he got hurt in a pileup. There was a scramble for a loose ball on UNLV’s offensive half of the court, and Moser went to the ground. As he reached out for the ball with his left hand, Cal guard Brandon Smith fell on Moser’s right arm, which was supporting his weight.

Replays of the injury are graphic, and Moser eventually returned to the bench with his right arm in a sling. Moser had an X-ray before boarding the plane home Sunday night, and the results were negative, meaning there’s no fracture.

Rehab for this type of injury generally involves a series of small movements and exercises designed to enhance range of motion and strength.

It also takes time. At least now No. 20 UNLV knows about how long it will have to play without one of its captains.

In the meantime, Rice confirmed sophomore Khem Birch is doing well in his classes and is on track to board the team plane to El Paso, Texas, on Sunday for his first career UNLV game Monday night at UTEP. That should help fill the void Moser leaves in the lineup.

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Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.