2012/13 Preseason NCAA Top 25: #14 UNLV Rebels
Fall is here, and school is back in session, which means the good times are almost here - the start of college basketball season! To get you ready for this upcoming season, The Hoops Manifesto presents to you its preseason top 25 team rankings, based on the input from our esteemed voting panel. Next up #14: UNLV Rebels.
Big thanks to our voting panel: Jeff Fox (@HoopsManifesto) from The Hoops Manifesto, Perry Missner (@PerryMissner) from RotoWire, Ray Bala (@CanBallReport) who writes The Can Ball Report on Raptors HQ, Adam Francis (@RaptorsHQ) from Raptors HQ, Ian (@SoxAndDawgs) from SOX & Dawgs, and Alex Gallant (@SeaTownSports) from SeaTown Sports.
#14 - UNLV Rebels
2011/12: 26-9, lost NCAA Tournament Second Round
Key Returning Players:
Anthony Marshall - Shooting Guard - Senior
12.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.5 spg
Mike Moser - Power Forward - Junior
14.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.0 bpg
Justin Hawkins - Shooting Guard - Senior
7.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg
Top Newcomers:
Khem Birch - Power Forward - Sophomore (transfer from Pittsburgh)
Bryce Dejean-Jones - Shooting Guard - Sophomore (transfer from USC)
Roscoe Smith - Small Forward - Junior (transfer from Connecticut)
Anthony Bennett - Power Forward - #7 rated recruit (Rivals.com)
Katin Reinhardt - Shooting Guard - #38 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
Savon Goodman - Power Forward - #72 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
Demetris Morant - Center - #144 ranked recruit (Rivals.com)
Top NBA Prospect:
Khem Birch - mid first round pick in 2013
Outlook:
The Rebels are off and runnin' once again. In Mike Moser they have one of the nation's top big men, an Honorable Mention All-American last season as well as an All-Mountain West First Team and All-Defensive Team selection. Teammate Anthony Marshall was also on the MWC All-Defensive Team, as well as making the All-MWC Second Team. On top of all their returning talent, they bring in one of the best crops of newcomers in the country, led by former high school All-Americans Khem Birch and Anthony Bennett. The glory days have returned again to the desert.
Preseason Top 25
#15 - Arizona Wildcats
#16 - Wisconsin Badgers
#17 - Baylor Bears
#18 - Creighton Bluejays
#19 - Florida Gators
#20 - Kansas State Wildcats
#21 - San Diego State Aztecs
#22 - Saint Louis Billikens
#23 - Memphis Tigers
#24 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
#25 - Texas Wildcats
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