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fraser1010
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Montana Grizzlies
Last Season 21-11 (.656)
Conference Record 12-4 (2nd)
Starters Lost/Returning 1/4
Coach Wayne Tinkle (Montana '05)
Record At School 91-64 (5 years)
Career Record 91-64 (5 years)
RPI Last 5 years 216-230-186-101-122
COACH AND PROGRAM
Wayne Tinkle was a candidate for the coaching vacancy at Fresno State before he decided to stay at Montana. It makes sense that the Bulldogs would pursue Tinkle. He's coming off consecutive 20-win seasons at Montana with 91 total victories in the last five years. Among Big Sky Conference teams, only Portland State (92) and Weber State (95) have more victories over that span.
In the end, Tinkle decided to stay, citing "unfinished business" at his alma mater. And Montana is expected to take care of business in the league. Heading into the new season, the Grizzlies join Weber State as the clear front-runners in the Big Sky.
"There've been years we'd been picked at or near the top of the league that I didn't think it was justified," said Tinkle, an assistant at Montana for five years before becoming the head coach. "Our two programs have had a lot of success over the years, and I think when you look on paper at what we have returning and what they do, it makes sense."
PLAYERS
The Grizzlies bring back four of their five starters and eight letter winners but collectively must solve the void left by departed star center Brian Qvale. The 2010-11 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Qvale holds the conference records for blocks in a single season (95) and a career (247). Qvale led Montana in scoring, rebounding and blocks while shooting 62.6 percent from the floor -- the second-best mark among all Division I players. He also helped the Grizzlies lead the league in five defensive stat categories, including points allowed (60.9 ppg).
Qvale's absence also necessitates that Tinkle ponder some changes to his version of the high-low motion offense.
"Typically, we've always had that anchor in the middle that we try to run that offense through," Tinkle said. "We're not sure if we have that this coming year. Having said that, we might be able to be a little more unpredictable. I think we've got a lot of guys that have some versatility and we can post up smaller players."
At 7-0, senior Derek Selvig (10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.0 apg) can operate in the post, but he's deadly from the perimeter. Selvig is Montana's top returning rebounder, and the team's most proven perimeter threat with 39 made three-pointers and a .390 percentage beyond the arc -- both team highs. Look for Selvig to get some work at center, with the goal being to stretch defenses and pull the opposing center away from the basket.
Junior Will Cherry replaces Qvale as Montana's most valuable player. Montana's incumbent point guard capped a stellar sophomore season by earning first-team all-conference honors. The 6-1 Cherry (14.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.3 apg) paced Montana in assists, while his 2.6 steals per game led the league and ranked ninth in the country.
Cherry's was such a gym rat over the summer he might as well have forwarded his mail there. "He's really worked on his perimeter shooting, which was a weakness," Tinkle said. "He was in the gym every day, all summer long."
After putting in that many hours, Cherry has a good chance to improve his .255 shooting percentage beyond the arc from last season.
Tinkle thinks 6-5 wing Kareem Jamar would have been a candidate for the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award had the Los Angeles native not missed five league games with a broken finger. Jamar (8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.7 apg) scored in double digits nine times as a freshman, six of those performances coming in conference play.
Senior Art Steward (8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 apg) is the Grizzlies' glue guy. In his first campaign with Montana, the 6-4 junior college transfer was a mainstay in the rotation thanks to his tenacious defense and rebounding. Steward can play at either forward spot, as well as off guard.
"I'm excited about that group of four guys," Tinkle said.
Shawn Stockton (3.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.9 apg), a 6-1 senior, enjoyed a much greater role last season. The nephew of Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton started about half of Montana's contests while tripling his playing time from the previous season to 21 minutes per game.
Jordan Wood, another senior, also split time as a starter. A 6-3 guard, Wood (3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.1 apg) endured some significant shooting woes -- converting for just 37.5 percent from the field and less than 24 percent from three-point range. Wood got up a ton of shots in the offseason.
Shooting wasn't much of an issue for junior Mathias Ward (4.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg), a 6-7 forward who hit for 51.4 percent from the floor. Tinkle thinks Ward could blossom in Qvale's absence.
Sophomore Eric Hutchinson and redshirt freshman Billy Reader, both 6-9, fortify the frontcourt. Hutchinson (0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg) played a bit role on last season's team, while Reader (21.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) averaged a double-double in 2009-10 as a senior at Lake Oswego High in Oregon.
Redshirt freshman Mike Weisner, a 6-7 forward, is also trying to enter the mix.
A couple of vacancies opened on Montana's perimeter when Chase Adams and touted point guard Vaughn Autry left the program in May. Tinkle filled those spots as he typically does, by recruiting freshmen. That's atypical in a conference where most teams hit the junior college circuit hard to make their additions.
A 6-2 guard, Jordan Gregory (24.0 ppg, 6.0 apg) won conference player of the year honors as a senior at Pueblo East (Colo.) High School.
Kevin Henderson (22.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is a 6-4 wing out of Auburn (Wash.) High who led his team to the brink of the state playoffs in Washington's difficult 4A classification. He's got a good outside shot, converting 40 percent of his three-pointers as a high-school senior.
"Kevin Henderson probably would be my pick to have the biggest impact right away," Tinkle said.
Keron DeShields, a 6-2 combo guard, was a late addition to the roster. A native of Baltimore, DeShields (20.0 ppg) played last season at Vermont Academy and led the team in scoring.
"We haven't gotten many prep school kids," Tinkle said. "We didn't have anybody who could really push Will Cherry in practice every day, and we feel like we have that now."
Tinkle prefers to redshirt his true freshmen whenever possible but admitted that might be difficult with this group.
"Physically, Jordan's probably the most ready. The other two are still a little frail, but because of the effort with which they play, I think that's going to allow them the opportunity to see the floor," Tinkle said.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: A-
BENCH/DEPTH: B
FRONTCOURT: B+
INTANGIBLES: A
Losing Qvale is a blow, but Montana still has one of the league's top big men -- and certainly the most versatile -- in Selvig. Cherry is the best guard in the Big Sky not named Damian Lillard, Weber State's returning stud.
On top of that, Tinkle thinks this might be his deepest team yet.
"We really feel secure that we're two deep finally at every position, and then we've got a couple of guys who can play multiple spots," he said.
Expect Montana to remain a player in the Big Sky title race, and justify Tinkle's decision to stay.
Last Season 21-11 (.656)
Conference Record 12-4 (2nd)
Starters Lost/Returning 1/4
Coach Wayne Tinkle (Montana '05)
Record At School 91-64 (5 years)
Career Record 91-64 (5 years)
RPI Last 5 years 216-230-186-101-122
COACH AND PROGRAM
Wayne Tinkle was a candidate for the coaching vacancy at Fresno State before he decided to stay at Montana. It makes sense that the Bulldogs would pursue Tinkle. He's coming off consecutive 20-win seasons at Montana with 91 total victories in the last five years. Among Big Sky Conference teams, only Portland State (92) and Weber State (95) have more victories over that span.
In the end, Tinkle decided to stay, citing "unfinished business" at his alma mater. And Montana is expected to take care of business in the league. Heading into the new season, the Grizzlies join Weber State as the clear front-runners in the Big Sky.
"There've been years we'd been picked at or near the top of the league that I didn't think it was justified," said Tinkle, an assistant at Montana for five years before becoming the head coach. "Our two programs have had a lot of success over the years, and I think when you look on paper at what we have returning and what they do, it makes sense."
PLAYERS
The Grizzlies bring back four of their five starters and eight letter winners but collectively must solve the void left by departed star center Brian Qvale. The 2010-11 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Qvale holds the conference records for blocks in a single season (95) and a career (247). Qvale led Montana in scoring, rebounding and blocks while shooting 62.6 percent from the floor -- the second-best mark among all Division I players. He also helped the Grizzlies lead the league in five defensive stat categories, including points allowed (60.9 ppg).
Qvale's absence also necessitates that Tinkle ponder some changes to his version of the high-low motion offense.
"Typically, we've always had that anchor in the middle that we try to run that offense through," Tinkle said. "We're not sure if we have that this coming year. Having said that, we might be able to be a little more unpredictable. I think we've got a lot of guys that have some versatility and we can post up smaller players."
At 7-0, senior Derek Selvig (10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.0 apg) can operate in the post, but he's deadly from the perimeter. Selvig is Montana's top returning rebounder, and the team's most proven perimeter threat with 39 made three-pointers and a .390 percentage beyond the arc -- both team highs. Look for Selvig to get some work at center, with the goal being to stretch defenses and pull the opposing center away from the basket.
Junior Will Cherry replaces Qvale as Montana's most valuable player. Montana's incumbent point guard capped a stellar sophomore season by earning first-team all-conference honors. The 6-1 Cherry (14.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.3 apg) paced Montana in assists, while his 2.6 steals per game led the league and ranked ninth in the country.
Cherry's was such a gym rat over the summer he might as well have forwarded his mail there. "He's really worked on his perimeter shooting, which was a weakness," Tinkle said. "He was in the gym every day, all summer long."
After putting in that many hours, Cherry has a good chance to improve his .255 shooting percentage beyond the arc from last season.
Tinkle thinks 6-5 wing Kareem Jamar would have been a candidate for the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award had the Los Angeles native not missed five league games with a broken finger. Jamar (8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.7 apg) scored in double digits nine times as a freshman, six of those performances coming in conference play.
Senior Art Steward (8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 apg) is the Grizzlies' glue guy. In his first campaign with Montana, the 6-4 junior college transfer was a mainstay in the rotation thanks to his tenacious defense and rebounding. Steward can play at either forward spot, as well as off guard.
"I'm excited about that group of four guys," Tinkle said.
Shawn Stockton (3.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.9 apg), a 6-1 senior, enjoyed a much greater role last season. The nephew of Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton started about half of Montana's contests while tripling his playing time from the previous season to 21 minutes per game.
Jordan Wood, another senior, also split time as a starter. A 6-3 guard, Wood (3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.1 apg) endured some significant shooting woes -- converting for just 37.5 percent from the field and less than 24 percent from three-point range. Wood got up a ton of shots in the offseason.
Shooting wasn't much of an issue for junior Mathias Ward (4.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg), a 6-7 forward who hit for 51.4 percent from the floor. Tinkle thinks Ward could blossom in Qvale's absence.
Sophomore Eric Hutchinson and redshirt freshman Billy Reader, both 6-9, fortify the frontcourt. Hutchinson (0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg) played a bit role on last season's team, while Reader (21.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) averaged a double-double in 2009-10 as a senior at Lake Oswego High in Oregon.
Redshirt freshman Mike Weisner, a 6-7 forward, is also trying to enter the mix.
A couple of vacancies opened on Montana's perimeter when Chase Adams and touted point guard Vaughn Autry left the program in May. Tinkle filled those spots as he typically does, by recruiting freshmen. That's atypical in a conference where most teams hit the junior college circuit hard to make their additions.
A 6-2 guard, Jordan Gregory (24.0 ppg, 6.0 apg) won conference player of the year honors as a senior at Pueblo East (Colo.) High School.
Kevin Henderson (22.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is a 6-4 wing out of Auburn (Wash.) High who led his team to the brink of the state playoffs in Washington's difficult 4A classification. He's got a good outside shot, converting 40 percent of his three-pointers as a high-school senior.
"Kevin Henderson probably would be my pick to have the biggest impact right away," Tinkle said.
Keron DeShields, a 6-2 combo guard, was a late addition to the roster. A native of Baltimore, DeShields (20.0 ppg) played last season at Vermont Academy and led the team in scoring.
"We haven't gotten many prep school kids," Tinkle said. "We didn't have anybody who could really push Will Cherry in practice every day, and we feel like we have that now."
Tinkle prefers to redshirt his true freshmen whenever possible but admitted that might be difficult with this group.
"Physically, Jordan's probably the most ready. The other two are still a little frail, but because of the effort with which they play, I think that's going to allow them the opportunity to see the floor," Tinkle said.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: A-
BENCH/DEPTH: B
FRONTCOURT: B+
INTANGIBLES: A
Losing Qvale is a blow, but Montana still has one of the league's top big men -- and certainly the most versatile -- in Selvig. Cherry is the best guard in the Big Sky not named Damian Lillard, Weber State's returning stud.
On top of that, Tinkle thinks this might be his deepest team yet.
"We really feel secure that we're two deep finally at every position, and then we've got a couple of guys who can play multiple spots," he said.
Expect Montana to remain a player in the Big Sky title race, and justify Tinkle's decision to stay.
Potomac Griz
Well-known member
Thanks for posting that! Can't wait for basketball season to officially start!
fraser1010
New member
You're welcome! Let me know if you want me to post any other Big Sky Conference school's preview.
BelierPeaux
Well-known member
Might as well post Weber's, please!?
fraser1010
New member
Weber State Wildcats
Last Season 18-14 (.563)
Conference Record 11-5 (3rd)
Starters Lost/Returning 1/4
Coach Randy Rahe (Buena Vista '82)
Record At School 95-61 (5 years)
Career Record 95-61 (5 years)
RPI Last 5 years 141-196-106-94-162
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Damian Lillard suffered a season-ending foot injury last December, it looked like Weber State's Big Sky title hopes would be shelved along with their fantastic point guard.
Then the Wildcats went on a late run, winning six in a row and eight of their last nine regular-season games to finish third in the league, make the Big Sky semifinals and earn a CBI berth.
It appears as if the adversity created by Lillard's injury has made Weber State even stronger heading into this season.
"We could've easily folded it," coach Randy Rahe said. "We started with five of our first seven conference games on the road, and the five road games were probably the top end teams in our league. It had disaster written all over it with the injuries. Boy, they stuck with it with great chemistry and togetherness and they were a tough group of guys."
Lillard got cleared to play on May 1 and has retaken the court with a relentless work ethic ever since. He also spent some of the summer at the adidas Nations Camp, playing along the likes of Jared Sullinger (Ohio State), Thomas Robinson (Kansas) and Mason Plumlee (Duke).
"That kid works as hard as anybody I've ever been around in 22 years," Rahe said. "He's almost obsessed with getting better. & We tell him all the time, maybe the best thing to improve today is take the day off. He's just that kind of kid."
PLAYERS
The former Big Sky Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year, Lillard already had celebrity status in Ogden, and he'll have a little more time to stick around campus if he wants. The NCAA granted the 6-2 Oakland native a medical redshirt, giving him another year's eligibility after this season concludes.
Lillard (19.7 ppg, 4.2 ppg, 3.7 apg) was on pace for another banner campaign when he fractured a metatarsal in his right foot during the Dec. 16 game against Tulsa. The Wildcats missed his offensive output, to be sure, but Lillard also was the team's only true point guard, and thus crucial to the complex offensive system -- which uses a card system from the bench to signal in offensive sets -- that Rahe runs. The coaching staff had to go back to the drawing board in late December, right as conference play was getting ready to begin.
"We were a mess there for about two weeks," Rahe said. "We weren't very good."
Two of the guys who claimed go-to roles in Lillard's absence, 6-2 junior wing Scott Bamforth and 6-6 senior forward Kyle Bullinger, are back. Bullinger became the team's primary weapon, especially in league play. Bullinger (6.3 rpg) scored 13.9 points per game in conference action -- nearly three points higher than his season average (11.2 ppg).
Bullinger and Bamforth both made the all-conference first team -- an impressive feat for Bamforth considering he played the entire season with a separated shoulder.
"We couldn't always go to him, because the second half, his shoulder would die on him," Rahe said. "It would go numb."
The shoulder didn't affect Bamforth's outside shot. He made 48.8 percent of his three-pointers, tops in the Big Sky and fourth among all Division I players. Bamforth (12.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.8 apg) won Big Sky Newcomer-of-the-Year honors, and his outstanding inaugural season included a game-winning 40-foot buzzer beater to beat North Colorado that quickly became a YouTube staple.
Senior Darin Mahoney also battled nagging injuries but still started 30-of-31 games and averaged 25 minutes. A natural power forward, the 6-8 Mahoney (4.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is big enough to defend posts if needed.
Sophomore Byron Fulton (7.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) won Big Sky Freshman-of-the-Year honors, and headlined a freshman class that ended up playing major minutes after Lillard's injury.
Fulton's 6-7, 240-pound frame gives him enough size to battle down low, but he joins Lillard, Bullinger and Bamforth as a legitimate perimeter threat. Fulton made 24-of-50 three-point tries last season. Add 6-1 sophomore guard Jordan Richardson (3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.5 apg), and the Wildcats bring back five individuals who made 19 or more threes last season. Richardson figures to be Lillard's understudy this year.
Kyle Tresnak (3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg) joined Richardson and Fulton as one of the freshmen who suddenly became a key part of the rotation. A 6-10 sophomore, Tresnak has a good chance to replace departed senior Trevor Morris as the post. Redshirt freshman James Hajek, another 6-10 post, is also someone to watch.
"We can throw some good size out there," Rahe said. "We can be 6-8 and 6-10. We could go 6-10 and 6-10 if we needed to. & Hopefully we can have some mismatches there and take advantage of that a little bit."
There's no clear-cut star in Weber's collection of forwards and posts, but junior Frank Otis is the X-factor of the group. A 6-6 transfer from SMU, Otis had two relatively quiet seasons with the Mustangs before joining fellow Oakland native Lillard at Weber State.
"He's got everything we look for: character and toughness and he's a great teammate and that's the way he plays the game," said Rahe, who plans on playing Otis and Fulton as a tandem at power forward. "Fulton can stretch you out, he makes threes, he can score off the block. Otis can drive, he's highly skilled and good around the basket. It's two different looks we can throw out there at different times."
One of Weber's four signees, junior college transfer Davion Berry, is another Northern California connection. Berry and Lillard came through the same AAU program. A 6-4 guard, Berry (18.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) was a two-time all-conference pick at Cal State Monterey Bay.
Rahe also signed three freshmen. Shai Fields is a 6-4 swingman out of Houston who can also play the point. Mike Brown, a 6-2 guard, helped Wasatch High win the last two 3A state championships in Utah. Gelaun Wheelwright might be the best bet to play early. A 6-1 shooting guard, Wheelwright can get to the rim and also score from the perimeter. He sank 17 threes in three regional playoff games for Centennial High in Southern California.
"There's a good chance we'll redshirt a couple of those guys," Rahe said.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: A
BENCH/DEPTH: A
FRONTCOURT: B-
INTANGIBLES: A
Weber State is loaded this season. Players such as Fulton, Tresnak and Richardson developed ahead of schedule after Lillard got hurt -- and they'll make the Wildcats even better now that the star point guard is back at full strength. Last season also should prove to the team that it can continue to play at a high level regardless of any injuries or mishaps that occur along the way.
The frontcourt is a bit of a question mark, but Weber has enough different pieces to make it work. And it certainly helps that the Wildcats have more proven three-point shooters than any team in the league.
Expect the Wildcats to be the team to beat in the Big Sky, and, potentially, one of the trendy mid-major picks come NCAA Tournament time.
Last Season 18-14 (.563)
Conference Record 11-5 (3rd)
Starters Lost/Returning 1/4
Coach Randy Rahe (Buena Vista '82)
Record At School 95-61 (5 years)
Career Record 95-61 (5 years)
RPI Last 5 years 141-196-106-94-162
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Damian Lillard suffered a season-ending foot injury last December, it looked like Weber State's Big Sky title hopes would be shelved along with their fantastic point guard.
Then the Wildcats went on a late run, winning six in a row and eight of their last nine regular-season games to finish third in the league, make the Big Sky semifinals and earn a CBI berth.
It appears as if the adversity created by Lillard's injury has made Weber State even stronger heading into this season.
"We could've easily folded it," coach Randy Rahe said. "We started with five of our first seven conference games on the road, and the five road games were probably the top end teams in our league. It had disaster written all over it with the injuries. Boy, they stuck with it with great chemistry and togetherness and they were a tough group of guys."
Lillard got cleared to play on May 1 and has retaken the court with a relentless work ethic ever since. He also spent some of the summer at the adidas Nations Camp, playing along the likes of Jared Sullinger (Ohio State), Thomas Robinson (Kansas) and Mason Plumlee (Duke).
"That kid works as hard as anybody I've ever been around in 22 years," Rahe said. "He's almost obsessed with getting better. & We tell him all the time, maybe the best thing to improve today is take the day off. He's just that kind of kid."
PLAYERS
The former Big Sky Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year, Lillard already had celebrity status in Ogden, and he'll have a little more time to stick around campus if he wants. The NCAA granted the 6-2 Oakland native a medical redshirt, giving him another year's eligibility after this season concludes.
Lillard (19.7 ppg, 4.2 ppg, 3.7 apg) was on pace for another banner campaign when he fractured a metatarsal in his right foot during the Dec. 16 game against Tulsa. The Wildcats missed his offensive output, to be sure, but Lillard also was the team's only true point guard, and thus crucial to the complex offensive system -- which uses a card system from the bench to signal in offensive sets -- that Rahe runs. The coaching staff had to go back to the drawing board in late December, right as conference play was getting ready to begin.
"We were a mess there for about two weeks," Rahe said. "We weren't very good."
Two of the guys who claimed go-to roles in Lillard's absence, 6-2 junior wing Scott Bamforth and 6-6 senior forward Kyle Bullinger, are back. Bullinger became the team's primary weapon, especially in league play. Bullinger (6.3 rpg) scored 13.9 points per game in conference action -- nearly three points higher than his season average (11.2 ppg).
Bullinger and Bamforth both made the all-conference first team -- an impressive feat for Bamforth considering he played the entire season with a separated shoulder.
"We couldn't always go to him, because the second half, his shoulder would die on him," Rahe said. "It would go numb."
The shoulder didn't affect Bamforth's outside shot. He made 48.8 percent of his three-pointers, tops in the Big Sky and fourth among all Division I players. Bamforth (12.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.8 apg) won Big Sky Newcomer-of-the-Year honors, and his outstanding inaugural season included a game-winning 40-foot buzzer beater to beat North Colorado that quickly became a YouTube staple.
Senior Darin Mahoney also battled nagging injuries but still started 30-of-31 games and averaged 25 minutes. A natural power forward, the 6-8 Mahoney (4.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is big enough to defend posts if needed.
Sophomore Byron Fulton (7.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) won Big Sky Freshman-of-the-Year honors, and headlined a freshman class that ended up playing major minutes after Lillard's injury.
Fulton's 6-7, 240-pound frame gives him enough size to battle down low, but he joins Lillard, Bullinger and Bamforth as a legitimate perimeter threat. Fulton made 24-of-50 three-point tries last season. Add 6-1 sophomore guard Jordan Richardson (3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.5 apg), and the Wildcats bring back five individuals who made 19 or more threes last season. Richardson figures to be Lillard's understudy this year.
Kyle Tresnak (3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg) joined Richardson and Fulton as one of the freshmen who suddenly became a key part of the rotation. A 6-10 sophomore, Tresnak has a good chance to replace departed senior Trevor Morris as the post. Redshirt freshman James Hajek, another 6-10 post, is also someone to watch.
"We can throw some good size out there," Rahe said. "We can be 6-8 and 6-10. We could go 6-10 and 6-10 if we needed to. & Hopefully we can have some mismatches there and take advantage of that a little bit."
There's no clear-cut star in Weber's collection of forwards and posts, but junior Frank Otis is the X-factor of the group. A 6-6 transfer from SMU, Otis had two relatively quiet seasons with the Mustangs before joining fellow Oakland native Lillard at Weber State.
"He's got everything we look for: character and toughness and he's a great teammate and that's the way he plays the game," said Rahe, who plans on playing Otis and Fulton as a tandem at power forward. "Fulton can stretch you out, he makes threes, he can score off the block. Otis can drive, he's highly skilled and good around the basket. It's two different looks we can throw out there at different times."
One of Weber's four signees, junior college transfer Davion Berry, is another Northern California connection. Berry and Lillard came through the same AAU program. A 6-4 guard, Berry (18.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) was a two-time all-conference pick at Cal State Monterey Bay.
Rahe also signed three freshmen. Shai Fields is a 6-4 swingman out of Houston who can also play the point. Mike Brown, a 6-2 guard, helped Wasatch High win the last two 3A state championships in Utah. Gelaun Wheelwright might be the best bet to play early. A 6-1 shooting guard, Wheelwright can get to the rim and also score from the perimeter. He sank 17 threes in three regional playoff games for Centennial High in Southern California.
"There's a good chance we'll redshirt a couple of those guys," Rahe said.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: A
BENCH/DEPTH: A
FRONTCOURT: B-
INTANGIBLES: A
Weber State is loaded this season. Players such as Fulton, Tresnak and Richardson developed ahead of schedule after Lillard got hurt -- and they'll make the Wildcats even better now that the star point guard is back at full strength. Last season also should prove to the team that it can continue to play at a high level regardless of any injuries or mishaps that occur along the way.
The frontcourt is a bit of a question mark, but Weber has enough different pieces to make it work. And it certainly helps that the Wildcats have more proven three-point shooters than any team in the league.
Expect the Wildcats to be the team to beat in the Big Sky, and, potentially, one of the trendy mid-major picks come NCAA Tournament time.
filipinogrzlvr
Well-known member
I don't understand how Weber can get three out of four A's. I mean does every team in the top 25 have all A's?
BelierPeaux
Well-known member
Oh man! It's hard to argue with Weber being everyone's number 1 after reading that. I still like the Griz and if their younger guys develop, they can match up with Weber well. Gonna be a fun season!
fraser1010
New member
Just for giggles...here's the Cats preview.
------------
Montana State Bobcats
Last Season 13-18 (.419)
Conference Record 7-9 (t-5th)
Starters Lost/Returning 4/1
Coach Brad Huse (Montana Tech '89)
Record At School 68-83 (4 years
Career Record 68-83 (4 years)
RPI Last 5 years 286-236-210-202-264
COACH AND PROGRAM
It's often said, correctly, that recruiting is the lifeblood of a college basketball program.
Nonetheless, Montana State coach Brad Huse would prefer to do a little less recruiting in the years ahead. After adding 10 new players last season, the Bobcats figured to have a much smaller class in 2011. But three unscheduled departures during the offseason left scholarships to give and sent Huse back out on the road to fortify the ranks for the coming season. As a result, the Bobcats' class included five signees, meaning that -- not counting walk-ons -- the program has signed enough players in the last two years to fill an entire roster.
"We've got a lot of things to figure out early in the season," Huse said. "We've got a lot of firepower coming in, we've got some nice returners, we've got some young guys who are anxious to assert themselves. I think the combination of all those guys gives us a pretty solid mix of players."
Montana State already had to replace seniors Erik Rush (15.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Bobby Howard (14.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Danny Piepoli (7.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg) -- three of the team's top four scorers last season. Then, Chris McCall (2.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg) was ruled academically ineligible, Casey Trujeque (1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg) decided to transfer and, in the biggest blow, Cody Anderson (4.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) had to retire because of a knee injury. Anderson went in to get his knee "cleaned up," as Huse put it, only to find out he needed micro-fracture surgery.
"He was a really important piece for us going into his senior year," Huse said. "That was a great disappointment for him and certainly for us."
PLAYERS
At least Montana State has a steadying presence on the perimeter in 5-10 senior point guard Rod Singleton (7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.0 spg). He started every game last season and is the team's top returning scorer.
Without Anderson, it falls to junior college transfer Mohammed Fall to anchor Montana State's post game. At 6-9 and 240 pounds, Fall can match up physically against almost anyone in the Big Sky. He was averaging a double-double last season at Cloud County Community College before suffering a serious knee injury. Though limited after his return, Fall still posted about nine points and 10 boards a game.
"Our plan was him and Cody together would have made for a great tandem at that position, but Mohammed has a lot of attributes," Huse said. "He's going to fare just fine in our conference."
Huse plans to use some of the Bobcats' younger players piecemeal to fill in the rest of the post game. Sophomore Jeff Budinich, the team's tallest player at 6-10, should loom large in those plans. Budinich (2.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg) didn't see a ton of playing time but had his moments -- most notably 14 points and three boards in a Jan. 29 loss to archrival Montana.
Redshirt freshman Blake Brumwell and senior Jordan Allou, both of whom are listed at 6-7, will be factors in the frontcourt as well. A native of the Ivory Coast, Allou (3.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) didn't put up huge numbers but has become a key leader in the locker room.
Budinich isn't the only sophomore Huse expects to take a greater role. Shawn Reid (5.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, .394 3PT), a 6-5 small forward, is Montana State's second-leading returning scorer and most prolific outside shooter with 37 made three-pointers. Tre Johnson (2.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), a 6-7 walk-on, started the Bobcats' final six games and poured in 10 points in the team's regular-season finale.
"Those are guys that would stick out in my mind as good complimentary players that would step up and be a lot more assertive in our conference this year with the experience they now have, having gone through it as freshmen," Huse said.
Montana State's coach also likes his influx of junior college transfers, all of whom "bring good credentials" to the program.
Two of the newcomers are All-Americans at the JUCO level. Jamie Stewart, a 6-4 junior swingman, played inside and outside at Henry Ford (Mich.) Community College and averaged 18 points and nine rebounds. Xavier Johnson-Blount, a 6-4 guard, is a versatile athlete with a pure outside shot. Johnson-Blount (22.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) took the most unique road to Bozeman; he played his high school ball in the Virginia Beach area, then attended Cochise Community College in Arizona.
Stewart and Johnson-Blount could step into the starting lineup immediately in the wing spots vacated by Rush and Piepoli.
Once other scholarships became available because of the unanticipated exits, Montana State added Stewart's teammate, 6-2 guard Christian Moon (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg), who shot better than 50 percent beyond the three-point arc in two seasons at Henry Ford.
Antonio Biglow, a 6-0 junior, was considered the top junior college guard available in Southern California this year. Biglow (22.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 2.0 spg) helped Mt. San Antonio College to a 23-6 record. At the very least, he'll give Singleton good competition -- or allows Huse the option of having two point guards on the court simultaneously should he decide to play small ball.
Michael Dison (18.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg) was a late addition to the roster. The 5-11 product of Dekaney High in the Houston area is also the only freshman on scholarship in the 2011 class.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: C
BENCH/DEPTH: C
FRONTCOURT: D+
INTANGIBLES: C
Montana State has yet to win more than 15 games during Huse's tenure, and for the Bobcats to break through, the newcomers in the frontcourt must rise to the occasion. Allou is the only player on the team who averaged at least three boards per game last season, and that was for a squad that ranked next-to-last in the Big Sky in rebounding margin.
Whatever happens, expect Huse to distribute the scoring opportunities more evenly than he did last season.
"I think we have more shooters this year," Huse said. "The better teams I've coached dating back to my NAIA days have had good balance on the offensive end. Based on our talent pool, I think we can get back to that."
------------
Montana State Bobcats
Last Season 13-18 (.419)
Conference Record 7-9 (t-5th)
Starters Lost/Returning 4/1
Coach Brad Huse (Montana Tech '89)
Record At School 68-83 (4 years
Career Record 68-83 (4 years)
RPI Last 5 years 286-236-210-202-264
COACH AND PROGRAM
It's often said, correctly, that recruiting is the lifeblood of a college basketball program.
Nonetheless, Montana State coach Brad Huse would prefer to do a little less recruiting in the years ahead. After adding 10 new players last season, the Bobcats figured to have a much smaller class in 2011. But three unscheduled departures during the offseason left scholarships to give and sent Huse back out on the road to fortify the ranks for the coming season. As a result, the Bobcats' class included five signees, meaning that -- not counting walk-ons -- the program has signed enough players in the last two years to fill an entire roster.
"We've got a lot of things to figure out early in the season," Huse said. "We've got a lot of firepower coming in, we've got some nice returners, we've got some young guys who are anxious to assert themselves. I think the combination of all those guys gives us a pretty solid mix of players."
Montana State already had to replace seniors Erik Rush (15.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Bobby Howard (14.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Danny Piepoli (7.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg) -- three of the team's top four scorers last season. Then, Chris McCall (2.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg) was ruled academically ineligible, Casey Trujeque (1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg) decided to transfer and, in the biggest blow, Cody Anderson (4.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) had to retire because of a knee injury. Anderson went in to get his knee "cleaned up," as Huse put it, only to find out he needed micro-fracture surgery.
"He was a really important piece for us going into his senior year," Huse said. "That was a great disappointment for him and certainly for us."
PLAYERS
At least Montana State has a steadying presence on the perimeter in 5-10 senior point guard Rod Singleton (7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.0 spg). He started every game last season and is the team's top returning scorer.
Without Anderson, it falls to junior college transfer Mohammed Fall to anchor Montana State's post game. At 6-9 and 240 pounds, Fall can match up physically against almost anyone in the Big Sky. He was averaging a double-double last season at Cloud County Community College before suffering a serious knee injury. Though limited after his return, Fall still posted about nine points and 10 boards a game.
"Our plan was him and Cody together would have made for a great tandem at that position, but Mohammed has a lot of attributes," Huse said. "He's going to fare just fine in our conference."
Huse plans to use some of the Bobcats' younger players piecemeal to fill in the rest of the post game. Sophomore Jeff Budinich, the team's tallest player at 6-10, should loom large in those plans. Budinich (2.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg) didn't see a ton of playing time but had his moments -- most notably 14 points and three boards in a Jan. 29 loss to archrival Montana.
Redshirt freshman Blake Brumwell and senior Jordan Allou, both of whom are listed at 6-7, will be factors in the frontcourt as well. A native of the Ivory Coast, Allou (3.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) didn't put up huge numbers but has become a key leader in the locker room.
Budinich isn't the only sophomore Huse expects to take a greater role. Shawn Reid (5.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, .394 3PT), a 6-5 small forward, is Montana State's second-leading returning scorer and most prolific outside shooter with 37 made three-pointers. Tre Johnson (2.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), a 6-7 walk-on, started the Bobcats' final six games and poured in 10 points in the team's regular-season finale.
"Those are guys that would stick out in my mind as good complimentary players that would step up and be a lot more assertive in our conference this year with the experience they now have, having gone through it as freshmen," Huse said.
Montana State's coach also likes his influx of junior college transfers, all of whom "bring good credentials" to the program.
Two of the newcomers are All-Americans at the JUCO level. Jamie Stewart, a 6-4 junior swingman, played inside and outside at Henry Ford (Mich.) Community College and averaged 18 points and nine rebounds. Xavier Johnson-Blount, a 6-4 guard, is a versatile athlete with a pure outside shot. Johnson-Blount (22.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) took the most unique road to Bozeman; he played his high school ball in the Virginia Beach area, then attended Cochise Community College in Arizona.
Stewart and Johnson-Blount could step into the starting lineup immediately in the wing spots vacated by Rush and Piepoli.
Once other scholarships became available because of the unanticipated exits, Montana State added Stewart's teammate, 6-2 guard Christian Moon (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg), who shot better than 50 percent beyond the three-point arc in two seasons at Henry Ford.
Antonio Biglow, a 6-0 junior, was considered the top junior college guard available in Southern California this year. Biglow (22.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 2.0 spg) helped Mt. San Antonio College to a 23-6 record. At the very least, he'll give Singleton good competition -- or allows Huse the option of having two point guards on the court simultaneously should he decide to play small ball.
Michael Dison (18.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg) was a late addition to the roster. The 5-11 product of Dekaney High in the Houston area is also the only freshman on scholarship in the 2011 class.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: C
BENCH/DEPTH: C
FRONTCOURT: D+
INTANGIBLES: C
Montana State has yet to win more than 15 games during Huse's tenure, and for the Bobcats to break through, the newcomers in the frontcourt must rise to the occasion. Allou is the only player on the team who averaged at least three boards per game last season, and that was for a squad that ranked next-to-last in the Big Sky in rebounding margin.
Whatever happens, expect Huse to distribute the scoring opportunities more evenly than he did last season.
"I think we have more shooters this year," Huse said. "The better teams I've coached dating back to my NAIA days have had good balance on the offensive end. Based on our talent pool, I think we can get back to that."
BelierPeaux
Well-known member
Wow! I didn't realize that Cody was out for the sCats. That really sucks for them! Hope he carries on academically.
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