Waldo said:
OK - I have thought a little about this and would like others POV.
What if Weber had played St. Mary's, YBU, and Cal at full strength and at a neutral court with neutral refs? Would they have won?
Against, St. Mary's, everyone was healthy and still lost on the road. Weber had 27 team fouls compared to St. Mary's 17. Hard to beat a team on the road and with a 10 foul differential. Granted, St. Mary's is a great team and I think even on a neutral court with neutral refs, they lose this game, but it would have been much closer.
Against YBU, they were out two starters and D-Lill had the flu. YBU had experienced seniors inside playing against sophomores and freshman. Fouls were 16 a piece, but the refs did not have to "help" YBU as they had a huge lead. I think if Weber was totally healthy and they played on a neutral court, Weber wins 6 out of 10 times. Slight edge to Weber only because of D-Lill.
Against Cal, you had the best defender in the country and Weber was out two starters. Fouls were 21 for Weber and only 14 for Cal, so the refs could have been a factor. But, even if this game were played on a neutral floor with neutral refs, I don't think Weber pulls this game out. Cal's depth and size would be hard to match. Overall, better athletes in the PAC 12 (with a few exceptions).
So, in the end, I think Weber could be 18-2 now had everyone been healthy. But, they could also still be 17-3 because as much as I hate to admit it, YBU is a good team.
In any event, it is great to be undefeated in Big Sky play and Oquihrr Bucket champions!
Nice post. :thumb:
Three things happened that affected each game: Poor Calls at inopportune times that gave momentum to the opposing team, injuries, and poor shot selection by the Wildcats.
Against St. Mary's Weber was beating the living tar out of them. Then the refs took over. Weber's defense was as stringent at St. Mary's, but the difference was the Gayles were at home and Weber was on the road. Weber had to start playing soft which allowed the Gayles open looks. No matter, Weber had their chance, and its hard to say this now, but the Cats did miss 4 FTs in the second half that pretty much killed our chances. No matter, St. Mary's is a mid-major in a mid-major conference. The WCC's arrogance is ridiculous. We have played at their place twice, now they owe us a game. Hell, the Dee is the second nicest facility in the WCC, and I don't even know if I would consider the Marriot as being better. If St. Mary's were to play at the Dee, I'm pretty sure the outcome would be different. Neutral...who knows. I will give St. Marys credit. They are a solid program. Even at the Dee, it would be a dog fight.
B,Y,U...I want a rematch. We all know that Weber is cursed. For some reason the Cats, in any sport, can't win in Utah County. This year was no exception. Another loss. However, losing Bull the game before, especially with how well he was playing, maybe not offensively, but on the boards and defensively he was doing great. And we never know with Bull. He is capable of going off at anytime. Two years in a row the Cougs have had to face us without one of our stars. Turning point in the game...Mook goes out with an injury and Bam gets called for a Tech. :roll: After that, there wasn't any fight in the Cats. Also, as Wildcat pointed out, the cougs couldn't miss. Rogers and Austin looked like superstars. Oh, not to mention most of the team were playing with Flu like symptons.
Cal...Lill had a bad night 4-17. Cal shot, I think, 15 more FTs and the Cats were playing injured and hadn't gelled yet. We all knew that beating Cal at their place would be a long shot at best, but that loss should have been closer.
No matter, Weber lost those games. Yes, I'd love nothing more than to play those teams again, but...I'm just glad that Mook and Bull are back. Now time to get Hajek back and Weber will be set.
, the Wildcats are the likely candidate".
