2015-16 Season Rest In Peace

[n.ogdencat]

Heck of a year for our Wildcats!! During the course of this season this team accomplished an enormous amount and we all should be extremely proud of them! What a season and what a team.

First and most importantly, the Wildcats won their 22 Big Sky Title! That in and of itself is a significant achievement. Weber claimed its 10th Big Sky Tournament Title. Most in league history and first one in Reno. That was an interesting 3 games, but the Cats got the job done. Enroute to winning 26 games, Weber also claimed its first Holiday Tournament Title, the Gulf Coast Classic, since 2002.

We saw the Cats win their 1000th game since becoming a DI school. Now having 1004 wins total. Coach Randy Rahe became the winningest coach in school history, as well as becoming the winningest coach in Big Sky games. Randy definitely deserves some rest after this season.

Jeremy Senglin broke the most triples in a season mark, as well as the 1000 points in a career mark. And Joel Bolomboy broke the school and conferences decades old rebounding record. He ends his career just shy of 1500 points, over 1200 rebounds, the blocks leader and one of the greatest in Weber State history. Not to mention he also holds the record for most dunks in a season and a career. What a time it's been for Joel as a Weber State player.

What a season for Weber State! Go Cats!!!

 

[WILDCAT]

Heck of a year for our Wildcats!! During the course of this season this team accomplished an enormous amount and we all should be extremely proud of them! What a season and what a team.

First and most importantly, the Wildcats won their 22 Big Sky Title! That in and of itself is a significant achievement. Weber claimed its 10th Big Sky Tournament Title. Most in league history and first one in Reno. That was an interesting 3 games, but the Cats got the job done. Enroute to winning 26 games, Weber also claimed its first Holiday Tournament Title, the Gulf Coast Classic, since 2002.

We saw the Cats win their 1000th game since becoming a DI school. Now having 1004 wins total. Coach Randy Rahe became the winningest coach in school history, as well as becoming the winningest coach in Big Sky games. Randy definitely deserves some rest after this season.

Jeremy Senglin broke the most triples in a season mark, as well as the 1000 points in a career mark. And Joel Bolomboy broke the school and conferences decades old rebounding record. He ends his career just shy of 1500 points, over 1200 rebounds, the blocks leader and one of the greatest in Weber State history. Not to mention he also holds the record for most dunks in a season and a career. What a time it's been for Joel as a Weber State player.

What a season for Weber State! Go Cats!!!

:rockon: :notworthy: ray: arty: :dance: :agree:

 

[oldrunner]

It was a very good year.

We will have better years.

The best is yet to come. :rockon:

 

[n.ogdencat]

What we now need to ask ourselves is what needs to be done to improve upon the 2015-16 season. Personally, I feel we have the pieces in place to repeat. We virtually know who the starters will be: PG Cannon, SG Senglin, SF Richardson, PF Hill, and C Braxton...first off the bench Baker, Gittens, John, Kiko or Dallas. Rahe has the guys for a 11 man rotation, but will he use them?

First area of concern, rebounding. Without Joel, we were a really limited rebounding team. We need more from our guards. Second, more inside out movement. We have a bigs who can play with their back towards the basket. Far too often we just settled for a three without working it inside. Third, transition and perimeter defense. They were both strong, but there is potential for them to become great. Such talent! No reason for not being a better defensive team.

I'd also like to see a better schedule, better crowds, and the band back. Athletics needs to stop making excuses and just get after it. Two NBA players in a decade and no packed houses. There are 12k seats, the priority should be to fill every seat. Sell the seats above the portals for 5 and make it general admission. Get students out to the games...make it the thing to do in campus. Have the players more involved in the student body. That'll definitely helps.

 

[WILDCAT]

What we now need to ask ourselves is what needs to be done to improve upon the 2015-16 season. Personally, I feel we have the pieces in place to repeat. We virtually know who the starters will be: PG Cannon, SG Senglin, SF Richardson, PF Hill, and C Braxton...first off the bench Baker, Gittens, John, Kiko or Dallas. Rahe has the guys for a 11 man rotation, but will he use them?

First area of concern, rebounding. Without Joel, we were a really limited rebounding team. We need more from our guards. Second, more inside out movement. We have a bigs who can play with their back towards the basket. Far too often we just settled for a three without working it inside. Third, transition and perimeter defense. They were both strong, but there is potential for them to become great. Such talent! No reason for not being a better defensive team.

I'd also like to see a better schedule, better crowds, and the band back. Athletics needs to stop making excuses and just get after it. Two NBA players in a decade and no packed houses. There are 12k seats, the priority should be to fill every seat. Sell the seats above the portals for 5 and make it general admission. Get students out to the games...make it the thing to do in campus. Have the players more involved in the student body. That'll definitely helps.

A few years ago my buddy who is a Ute fan went to the Michigan/Utah game at the Huntsman Center, when he was talking to me about it, he said the arena was half full, I was like :wtf: If Weber hosted Michigan it would easily have been a sellout, I honestly think the schedule has 70% to do with the crowds, the other 30% is how the team is performing. Honestly, no one really wants to watch a game between Multnomah and Weber, but they would most likely show up if we played someone like New Mexico or San Diego State, heck even UNLV. Give the Wildcat fans something worth coming to see, however having said that, 2 NBA players, 20+ wins again and reigning Big Sky champs should be more than enough to get people to come to the games. However again having said that, it helps to be playing a good team, or at least a known team.

 

[oldrunner]

What we now need to ask ourselves is what needs to be done to improve upon the 2015-16 season. Personally, I feel we have the pieces in place to repeat. We virtually know who the starters will be: PG Cannon, SG Senglin, SF Richardson, PF Hill, and C Braxton...first off the bench Baker, Gittens, John, Kiko or Dallas. Rahe has the guys for a 11 man rotation, but will he use them?

That is a good starting five. I feel that Williams will compete for the 3 spot and may well get more PT than some who got more PT than him last year. I agree that we are a good 11 deep. I am thinking that we may have 2 red shirts when all is said and done. However, nothing is set in concrete. There will be competition for every minute of playing time. The player that we know the least about is Darling. If it turns out that he makes the top four of the big men, that would shake up the apple cart quite a bit. Also, Harding is skilled enough to play. The only question is whether or not the time he would get is worth burning a year of eligibility. Jeremy is the top dog and should get the most PT of everyone. John's PT should go up as well.

 

[UtahPirate]

Williams is a really interesting player. I would imagine he would improve significantly this year. He showed a lot last year in his limited minutes.

I love Richardson as his shot is so smooth. But he's got to find a way to be more consistent. Last year if he hit his first shot he went off ... if he missed it, he couldn't score at all. It was really weird actually. There has to be consistency with him. I think he can be a real offensive force, but there's some mental thing he has to get over. If he continues this first shot thing, then I'm not sure he stays in the starting 5.

The 3 spot between he and Williams should be really fun to watch. One who can score 3's in bunches and the other who can get quickly to the rim. Lots of offensive potential out of that position.

 

[WILDCAT]

Williams is a really interesting player. I would imagine he would improve significantly this year. He showed a lot last year in his limited minutes.

I love Richardson as his shot is so smooth. But he's got to find a way to be more consistent. Last year if he hit his first shot he went off ... if he missed it, he couldn't score at all. It was really weird actually. There has to be consistency with him. I think he can be a real offensive force, but there's some mental thing he has to get over. If he continues this first shot thing, then I'm not sure he stays in the starting 5.

The 3 spot between he and Williams should be really fun to watch. One who can score 3's in bunches and the other who can get quickly to the rim. Lots of offensive potential out of that position.

I want to see more of Williams this next season, the kid has some major potential and I think he can be a huge asset to us. Plus I agree with the Richardson, he played great defense last year and a couple games where he was huge for us, but I found myself cringing and yelling "NO!" when he would shoot the ball, he was way to inconsistent with that shot, but if he can get that shot down and get a little more confidence he could also be another asset next year.

 

[baller]

I would like to see the following lineup next year. It assumes that certain players have progressed enough in the past year to be major contributors.
First, Williams at the wing. He is the most athletic player on the team and needs playing time to develop.
I want to see Senglin at the point again. Yes I know he wasn't great at it but it is the position that he should play to give the team the opportunity to be the best that it can be.
Richardson at the SG position. He will probably be a bit more consistent with the three as a junior and in my opinion he was the best defensive player on the team last year.
It would be ideal if Dallas has grown enough to man the middle and move Braxton to power forward. I hope that all have progressed enough to run this alignment because it provides a tremendous second group that would provide virtually no drop off when they were in the game.

 

[oldrunner]

I would like to see the following lineup next year. It assumes that certain players have progressed enough in the past year to be major contributors.
First, Williams at the wing. He is the most athletic player on the team and needs playing time to develop.
I want to see Senglin at the point again. Yes I know he wasn't great at it but it is the position that he should play to give the team the opportunity to be the best that it can be.
Richardson at the SG position. He will probably be a bit more consistent with the three as a junior and in my opinion he was the best defensive player on the team last year.
It would be ideal if Dallas has grown enough to man the middle and move Braxton to power forward. I hope that all have progressed enough to run this alignment because it provides a tremendous second group that would provide virtually no drop off when they were in the game.

Jeremy is the best player we have, but he is the third best point guard. He may play some at the point, but rarely. Braxton can play 4 or 5, but Hill is ready to step up and be the main guy at the 4 spot. We may well see Braxton and Dallas on the floor at the same time, but I don't think it will happen a lot. Braxton and Dallas are very similar players. Braxton's body is a bit more mature. I too would love to see Williams win starters minutes at the 3 spot, probably for different reasons than most. I like his offensive skills, but I love his ability to defend and rebound. That would leave us with three other guys scrambling for time at the 3 spot. It is my opinion that Cannon is our best bet at the point. The team just runs better with him on the floor. I also think that he and John will have improved significantly from this past year. I'm expecting our seniors to have outstanding years. This will be the most seniors we have had for a long time.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Personally, I think Williams should red shirt this year. I think it would be good for him. That is my personal opinion. There is a log jam at the 2/3 and frankly, he is behind Senglin, John, Gittens, Ricahardson, and Baker...Yes, Senglin and Richardson are both starters, but he is still behind them. The Guys who will get the most remaining mins at the 2/3 are going to be Gittens, Baker, and John. I know that Williams is talented, but he isn't as good of a basketball players as the other guys. A red shirt would really help him, put him in a position to hone his skills, and save eligibility. But...that isn't going to happen. Just my opinion.

Starters and first off the bench at that position:
PG: Cannon/John
SG: Senglin/Gittens
SF: Richardson/Baker
PF: Hill/Kiko
C: Braxton/Dallas

 

[oldrunner]

Starters and first off the bench at that position:
PG: Cannon/John
SG: Senglin/Gittens
SF: Richardson/Baker
PF: Hill/Kiko
C: Braxton/Dallas

I think I would go this way:

PG: Cannon/John
SG: Senglin/Baker/Harding
SF: Williams/Richardson/Gittens
PF: Hill/Kiko/Darling
C: Braxton/Dallas

What we really have no clue of is how Darling and Harding will contribute to the mix. Also, Randy rarely plays more than 5 guards, unless there is foul trouble. It is easier for the 4th big man to get a little time, but seldom would 5 play, barring injuries. Any way you look at this, there are 4 or 5 guys who won't play much. Our depth looks good to me, but depth is only valuable when used.

 

[sacstateman]

Depth is good in a couple of ways....1. Depth provides the starters with good practice competition (even when not used in games) 2. In case of injury, of course, the fall off isn't too severe.....but depth can at times become a problem if someone thinks they should be getting more minutes and becomes a cancer that can tear a team apart.....I've seen it happen more than once.....I hate to see that happen to any team because too many guys who are busting their butts are impacted negatively......

 

[oldrunner]

Depth is good in a couple of ways....1. Depth provides the starters with good practice competition (even when not used in games) 2. In case of injury, of course, the fall off isn't too severe.....but depth can at times become a problem if someone thinks they should be getting more minutes and becomes a cancer that can tear a team apart.....I've seen it happen more than once.....I hate to see that happen to any team because too many guys who are busting their butts are impacted negatively......

I agree with almost all of that. The cancer part is really just a recruiting error or a team culture issue. In the past, not naming names, we have had starters who were a cancer that had to be surgically removed. I've asked several coaches about that 'too much talent' issue, and have been rebuffed. They have all said that you can never have too much talent. If the guys who are getting the PT still fully support the guys on the bench, and vise versa, you shouldn't have that problem. :twocents:

 

[n.ogdencat]

I don't understand how Baker constantly gets under-appreciated. Baker is a guy that does the little things. He is the penultimate glu-guy. He is someone who isn't looking for stats, but is doing what is necessary for the team to win. He is a basketball player and wants to see the team be successful.

I'm going to say it...Williams worries me. He seems like he is too much a "ME" player, instead of a "Team" player. In the mins he got last year, he showed some flashes of potential, but he also had some absolute bone-head moments too. For instance, I think it was in the Montana game at the Dee, where he tried to drive to the hoop in a me moment rather than making the pass. Needless to say, he missed badly and then committed a foul after the Griz secured a defensive rebound. A bad miss at a critical juncture, and then fouls, and puts them on the line in a situation where they shouldn't even be on the line.

To me, I'd much rather see a guy with a little less talent, but more drive on the floor than a guy who is talented, but is mostly interested in his accomplishments, not the teams.

 

[WILDCAT]

I don't understand how Baker constantly gets under-appreciated. Baker is a guy that does the little things. He is the penultimate glu-guy. He is someone who isn't looking for stats, but is doing what is necessary for the team to win. He is a basketball player and wants to see the team be successful.

I'm going to say it...Williams worries me. He seems like he is too much a "ME" player, instead of a "Team" player. In the mins he got last year, he showed some flashes of potential, but he also had some absolute bone-head moments too. For instance, I think it was in the Montana game at the Dee, where he tried to drive to the hoop in a me moment rather than making the pass. Needless to say, he missed badly and then committed a foul after the Griz secured a defensive rebound. A bad miss at a critical juncture, and then fouls, and puts them on the line in a situation where they shouldn't even be on the line.

To me, I'd much rather see a guy with a little less talent, but more drive on the floor than a guy who is talented, but is mostly interested in his accomplishments, not the teams.

Dusty is one of my favorite players on the team, he is a team first guy and is always playing for the team, he was ESSENTIAL in both our victories over the Griz last year, and he was huge in that tournament in Florida, to be honest, I always wanted him to start over Richardson, but like Gittens, Baker can be a big lift off the bench kind of player, and he showed that last year. I would like to see Williams get more time, but I would also like to see Baker get more minutes as well.

 

[WILDCAT]

http://www.weberstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8600&ATCLID=210825690

26 accomplishments for 26 wins

1. Weber State won 26 games this season, the eighth time in school history winning 25 or more games in a season. WSU has also won 25 or more games in three of the last five seasons, the first time that has been accomplished in school history.

2. Weber State has now won 20 or more games in 27 of 54 seasons as a Division I program.

3. Weber State captured the Big Sky regular season title with a 15-3 overall record, the 22nd conference title in school history, the most in Big Sky history.

4. The Wildcats won the Big Sky Tournament in Reno, Nev., the first time the tournament was played at a neutral site. It was Weber State’s 10th conference tournament title in its history.

5. Weber State advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time in school history, the most of any school in the Big Sky. It was also WSU’s second appearance in the NCAA’s in the last three years, the first time the ‘Cats had done that since 1980.

6. Weber State had the fourth best improvement from last season of any team in the country. The Wildcats won 13 more games than in 2014-15, the fourth best improvement in the country.

7. WSU senior Joel Bolomboy was named the Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player, the ninth player in Weber State history to earn the honor.

8. Bolomboy was also named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, the first player in Big Sky history to earn MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season.

9. Bolomboy was also named one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.

10. Bolomboy became Weber State’s and the Big Sky Conference’s career leader in rebounding, breaking a record that was held since 1977. He finished his career with 1,312 career rebounds and was third in the nation in rebounding this season.

11. Bolomboy also set new Weber State single-season records for most rebounds in a season (415) and double-doubles in a season (26).

12. Bolomboy had three games of at least 20 rebounds in a game, including reaching 23 rebounds twice. The 23 rebounds was the most in a game by a Wildcat since 1987.

13. Bolomboy also moved into seventh place in Weber State history in career scoring with 1,484 points. He also became WSU’s career leader in free throw attempts (651) and ranks third in free throws made (464) and games played (130).

14. Junior guard Jeremy Senglin was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team.

15. Senglin led the Wildcats in scoring at 17.9 points per game and set a new WSU single season record for 3-pointers by making 106 3’s this season.

16. Senglin became the 31st player in Weber State history to reach 1,000 career points. He now ranks 11th in career scoring with 1,359 career points in 90 career games. He is also now fourth in career 3-pointers made with 213.

16. Senglin scored 627 points during the season, the eighth most in a season in WSU history and the second most points in a season since 2003.

18. Junior forward Kyndahl Hill was named the Top Reserve in the Big Sky, becoming the first Wildcat to win the honor since in 30 years.

19. Weber State head coach Randy Rahe became the school’s all-time winningest coach. Coach Rahe finished his 10th season with a record of 208-113 at Weber State, the most games coached and the most games won in school history.

20. Coach Rahe also became the Big Sky’s career leader in conference wins. He now has 129 all-time conference wins, the most in Big Sky history. He has a career Big Sky record of 129-43 in his 10 seasons at Weber State.

21. Coach Rahe led the Wildcats to the postseason for the eighth time in his 10 seasons at Weber State.

22. The Wildcats won a preseason tournament, winning the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase in November in Estero, Fla. It was WSU’s first preseason tournament win since 2002.

23. Weber State was one of only five teams in the nation this season to win a preseason tournament, the conference regular season title and the conference tournament title.

24. Weber State won its 1,000 game as a Division I program with a Feb. 27 win over Montana. WSU has an all-time Division I record of 1,004-572. The 63.7 percent winning percentage is currently the 22nd best in college basketball history.

25. Weber State was 13-1 at home this season, including finishing the season winning 13-straight home games, currently the 15th longest streak in the nation. WSU was undefeated in conference home games for the ninth time in school history.

26. The Wildcats led the Big Sky in attendance at the Dee Events Center for the sixth straight season, finishing with an average of 6,785 fans at home games. WSU had the 76th highest attendance average in the nation and has now lead the Big Sky in attendance in 13 of the last 15 years.

 

[n.ogdencat]

What a great season! Great job Wildcats! Looking forward to this years edition of the Cats!

 

[oldrunner]

As good as last season was, this coming season can be even better. Yes, we lose the best rebounder in the history of the BSC and that is a huge loss. However, as the rest of our team continues to mature, I think we may well be stronger as a group. We are set up to have a long run of really good teams. This coming season we will have one of the most mature teams of Randy's tenure. I'm sure that they are as anxious to get it going as we are. :rockon: :rockon: