Weber State Wildcats
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #84
Conference Rank: #1 Big Sky
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These days it is tough to put Weber State in the top spot of the Big Sky. Even when they have more talent than conference foe Montana, the Grizzlies get the best of the Wildcats. But once again here we are with Weber State boasting the most talented team in the conference and Montana nipping at their heels. And once again it could just as easily be Montana that wins when it matters most. A season ago Weber State fell by three to Montana in the conference championship game. Coach Randy Rahe’s squad did make a very nice run in the CIT, but that is not where they want to be.
2012-13 Record: 30-7, 18-2
2012-13 Postseason: CIT
Coach: Randy Rahe
Coach Record: 150-75 at Weber State, 150-75 overall
Who’s Out:
There are a couple key contributors that need replacing. Scott Bamforth and Frank Otis both started all 37 games in 2012-2013, although Weber State does have talent ready to step in. Bamforth was one of the best shooters in the country, knocking down 45.6 percent of his 6.1 three-point attempts per contest. Otis was a workhorse in the paint. The 6-6 forward averaged 8.9 points and 6.0 rebounds during a very productive senior season. James Hajek provided some quality depth in the paint and Wayne Bradford never found his stroke after coming in from the junior college ranks.
Who’s In:
Incoming freshmen Richaud Gittens and Jeremy Senglin will both be in the mix in the backcourt. Gittens’ toughness and speed will make him a very dangerous scorer once he starts knocking down the long ball with more consistency. Senglin has the Wildcats more excited. The 6-2 Texan can make a big impact on both ends of the floor. Senglin can handle the ball and score from anywhere on the floor. If one of the freshmen earns a starting spot, it will likely be Senglin. Redshirt freshman Kyndahl Hill could make a case for a starting gig too. Hill is an athletic 6-7 forward who is developing enough toughness to play at the four spot, although he has the skills to be a small forward. Wherever he plays, Hill can score in bunches by attacking the basket and he should be one of the better shot blockers on the team. The hopes are also high for Josh Fuller, a redshirt freshman who spent a year at Utah before heading off on his mission. Fuller is a power forward who can stretch out the defense with his outside shooting ability. He is a unique big who will occasionally look like a big point guard. Brandy Borklund, J.C. Kennedy and Aziz Leeks will also be joining the program this season.
Who to Watch:
There will be a place for the newcomers, but Coach Rahe could throw out a very good starting five with his returning players. And that will likely happen to start the season. Running the show will be Jordan Richardson. The 6-1 senior point guard has yet to miss a game in his collegiate career. He started all 37 in 2012-2013, averaging 7.2 points and 2.8 assists. Gelaun Wheelwright will get the first crack at replacing Bamforth at the shooting guard position. Wheelwright is turnover prone to say the least, but he was forced to spend more time running the point instead of at his natural two guard spot. If he can concentrate on scoring, Wheelwright will do much better than his 33.3 percent three-point shooting of a year ago. Davion Berry led the Wildcats with 15.2 points per game and added 3.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals. The 6-4 wing can shoot over smaller defenders and drive right past bigger, slower opponents. When Weber State needs to make a big shot, it will be Berry who takes it. Joel Bolomboy and Kyle Tresnak are expected to start up front. Bolomboy had an amazing freshman campaign, averaging 7.0 points, 7.1 rebound and 1.7 rebounds off of the bench. Even if he does not take a huge step up between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Bolomboy is ready to take on a full-time starting gig. While Bolomboy is 6-9 and 215 pounds, Tresnak is the big body on the team. At 6-10 and 255 pounds, pushing around Tresnak in the paint is not easy. He may not be the toughest rebounder in the league, although Bolomboy will help with that anyway, but Tresnak is a very good scorer with his back to the bucket.
Final Projection:
Wing Royce Williams and promising senior Bryon Fulton will have to battle it out with the newcomers for minutes off of the bench. Coach Rahe will find plenty of depth and this team could end up going ten deep if all goes as expected with the freshmen. There is plenty of time for Weber State to get all of that sorted out. The Big Sky championship will likely come down to two games against Montana, in Ogden on January 25th and in Missoula on February 20th. More importantly, they will probably meet again on March 15th in the conference championship game where Weber State will attempt to finally get revenge on the Grizzlies.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Jordan Richardson, Senior, Guard, 7.2 points per game
Gelaun Wheelwright, Junior, Guard, 6.3 points per game
Davion Berry, Senior, Guard, 15.2 points per game
Joel Bolomboy, Sophomore, Forward, 7.0 points per game
Kyle Tresnak, Senior, Center, 11.8 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.7 (22th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.5 (49, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.6 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.2 (54, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (71, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 41.6 (1,1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.1 (86, 5)
Rebound Margin: 6.4 (17, 1)
Assists Per Game: 14.0 (92, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (98, 6)
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