Best Team in the State

[n.ogdencat]

A thought came to me as I was purusing the other DI Utah school forums, looking for recruiting information, who will be the top program in the Beehive State next year? This is interesting...Currently, the Beehive State is blessed with three strong programs in Utah State, BYU, and our very own Weber State Wildcats; for Catcat I'll throw UVU a bone. Yes, they have won their conference two years in a row, but I'm really not sure if we can count the Great West as even being medicore. :roll: With the departure of Boylen, the Crimson faithful are hoping for an immediate resurrection of fortunes for the Utes, and the T-Birds are still hoping to find their stride under Reid (this might be a make or brake year for the former Wildcat).

Automatically with former Big Sky MVP and NBA prospect Damian Lillard returning to the friendly confines of the Dee Events Center, we can assume that Weber will be the team to beat in the state of utah. Not only do our Cats return their superstar, but also a healthy, reigning Big Sky Newcomer of the year Scotty Bamforth, all conference selection Kyle Bullinger, and defensive specialist Darin Mahoney. Not to mention reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year Byron Fulton. Weber also returns the services of speedy PG Jordan Richardson, who showed the Cats that he has the ability to score (UNCO game) and run the team, and 6-10 Center Kyle Tresnak who should be starting for the Cats this fall. Along with the aforementioned Cats, the Wizard of Weber has assembled a recruiting class, best described by borrowing some memorable words from Jermain Supaman Boyette, "of History," by adding PG/CG Gelaun Wheelwright, SG/SF Shai Fields, SG/CG and two-time 3A MVP Michael Brown. Finally, how can any of us forget the 2010 additions of defensive specialist Frank "Mook" Otis from SMU, and big man (6-11) James Hajek (Rahe said at times there wasn't a better player on the floor than James in practices). This is a veteran team with proven leaders and a chip on their shoulders. Also, it doesn't hurt knowing that Utah, Utah State, and Southern Utah all have to play at the Dee this year.

Utah is next. Utah lost high flying and team leader Wil Clyburn when Boylen left, but the remaining players have decided to stay and give LK a chance. There is a lot of talent on the Utes bench, and they are adding the services of a good looking player in SF George Matthews. Granted, losing their PG and top player Clyburn will be hard to replace, I think the Utes will survive. Honestly, I think LK is an excellent coach and a great get for the Utes. However, Dr. "Pinhead" Hill and the Crimson Club faithless, will need to give LK at least 4 years to get the Utes out of the mess Boylen made. The only reason I have the Utes above the Aggies, is because of the players USU lost this past year, and the fact that Utah returns virtually their entire team. If LK can find a legitimate PG then I think the utes might turn some heads in the PAC-12. If anything, it should be fun watching Carlon Brown playing for CU against the Utes. Due to their conceit and arrogance against the other utah Schools, I'm thinking everyone will be gunning for a W against the Utes. I'm hoping they get a very rude welcome at the Dee and leave with a L next fall.

Utah State lost six seniors and their future all-star, but they do have Stew who is always well prepared to replace his departing seniors. However, with the loss of Walker (supposedly top recruit in school history) and only have one true PG on their roster, I have a feeling the Ags are going to suffer some bumps in the road. However, they will end the season with their normal 20 wins, thanks in part to their 18-19 games at the Spectrum mostly against low major DI teams, and the failing state of the WAC. Idaho could compete for the conference crown in the WAC next season. With that being said, they do have Brockeith Pane coming back. He might be called upon to play 35+ mins a game and score 20+ for the Ags to maintain their winning ways. Also, the Ag's have signed a nice looking class. In my opinion, I think Kyisean Reed will be an immediate impact player for USU and will be just what the Ag's are looking for. He is quicker than departing Pooh Williams, and a better player overall. However, they are losing Wesley, Bendall, and Newbold also, and frankly they are not getting players who are as good. Bumpus?? I'm thinking he will be good. Jordan Stone looks like a good get and will, in the future, be a huge problem for opposing teams, but right now, not so much. He is a RM and hasn't played in a live game in almost four years. Igor looks okay, but not on the same plane as Wesley or Bendall (I'm glad he ended the season strong; great guy).

BYU...well, this is where the head scratching starts in earnest. I'm thinking the Courgars are in for a shock. Yes, they have a few talented players joining the team and, I guess, some staying (if you think that Rogers is talented). However, the courgars are losing four starters (Davies, and I'm sorry about this, shouldn't be allowed back. Other Y students have been dismissed for a lot less. If the Y's administration lets him back, that is blatant hypocrisy on their part. They have the Honor Code, and to keep its virture intack they need to be consistent with everyone and not give athletes an edge in breaking it) and unlike USU, they don't have a deep bench. De'Marcus Harrison is a great looking recruit, who as a fresh, will start, but he will be a freshman. From what I have gathered from the recruiting pages, I can't really understand what Rose is trying to do. He will have a totally different looking team next year than what he has had the past three or four years. It will look a lot like Reids old teams. A lot of height!! He has two players, 6-10, coming back from missions. I think the cougars better get use to hearing the words "rebuilding" and "developing" for the next year. Honestly, this next year might be Weber's best chance at pulling off their first ever win in the Marriot Center (heaven's its named after a Weber State grad).

SUU and UVU...I hope that SUU improves in preparation for joing the Sky, but I'm not thinking they will. Yes, they seemed to start coming together at the end of this past season, and they do return a number of their players, so who knows. UVU will most likely compete for their conference crown again...I hope they can, NJ Tech is in their league. Good heavens, I think SAC could compete for the conference crown in the Great West.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

Not bad, but needs more research.

Utah not only lost Clyburn, who was a 3, not a PG, they also lost Kupets, Guiot, DiMaria, and both Obrien and Glover have been granted releases and are looking around. Krystkowiak told Monson and Fuller, who were redshirting, there wouldn't be scholarships for them after their missions.

Kyisean Reed doesn't play the same spot as Williams. Reed is a post player, a 4. 6'9" Ben Clifford will be getting time underneath. Bumpus is a SG, 3rd team JC AA. Norvell Arnold sat last year, he's a 6'5" 3 who was 2nd team JC AA. Jardine will be back. Collette will RS, but anyone who watched the 5A tourny, or the 4A/5A all star game know that Collette is a very skilled big. We'll be fine. We beat you. Won the WAC regular season and tourny. Beating SJSU 3 times. A team that beat you easily. Sounds like sour grapes. So remember, as weak as the WAC is, it's still much better than the Big Sky. Now play nice.

 

[ajwildcat]

Not bad, but needs more research.

Utah not only lost Clyburn, who was a 3, not a PG, they also lost Kupets, Guiot, DiMaria, and both Obrien and Glover have been granted releases and are looking around. Krystkowiak told Monson and Fuller, who were redshirting, there wouldn't be scholarships for them after their missions.

Kyisean Reed doesn't play the same spot as Williams. Reed is a post player, a 4. 6'9" Ben Clifford will be getting time underneath. Bumpus is a SG, 3rd team JC AA. Norvell Arnold sat last year, he's a 6'5" 3 who was 2nd team JC AA. Jardine will be back. Collette will RS, but anyone who watched the 5A tourny, or the 4A/5A all star game know that Collette is a very skilled big. We'll be fine. We beat you. Won the WAC regular season and tourny. Beating SJSU 3 times. A team that beat you easily. Sounds like sour grapes. So remember, as weak as the WAC is, it's still much better than the Big Sky. Now play nice.

What is this thing you call research? It's much more fun to just wing it. :lol: I will say this though WSU and USU will be the 2 best teams in the state next year, and it will be a heck of a good game here in Ogden which WSU will win. :thumb:

 

[n.ogdencat]

Not bad, but needs more research.

Utah not only lost Clyburn, who was a 3, not a PG, they also lost Kupets, Guiot, DiMaria, and both Obrien and Glover have been granted releases and are looking around. Krystkowiak told Monson and Fuller, who were redshirting, there wouldn't be scholarships for them after their missions.

Kyisean Reed doesn't play the same spot as Williams. Reed is a post player, a 4. 6'9" Ben Clifford will be getting time underneath. Bumpus is a SG, 3rd team JC AA. Norvell Arnold sat last year, he's a 6'5" 3 who was 2nd team JC AA. Jardine will be back. Collette will RS, but anyone who watched the 5A tourny, or the 4A/5A all star game know that Collette is a very skilled big. We'll be fine. We beat you. Won the WAC regular season and tourny. Beating SJSU 3 times. A team that beat you easily. Sounds like sour grapes. So remember, as weak as the WAC is, it's still much better than the Big Sky. Now play nice.

Thank you for your corrections. In my defense, I really hate Utah, so even studying them makes me somewhat sick. I didn't know that LK cleaned house...hmmm...kinda a bad decision on his part. Will LK get better players in the Spring signing period than the ones he had? Well, since this is happening, I don't think Utah will be very good. I would take O'Brien, Glover, or Monson in a heart beat.

As for the Utah State info. I'm glad you stopped on by and made the corrections. I recognize that Kyisean Reed isn't a 3 like Williams, but he is a talented player who, from what I have seen, is the same type of player as Williams; except taller. In my opinion, and its just that, I think he is the best player being added this year by Stew.

Jardine?? Seriously?? You are looking for players to take the spots vacated by Wesley and Bendall and are bringing up Clifford and Jardine? Aggie fans shouldn't expect a lot from Clifford right off the bat. He is going to take a couple of years to develop. I think he will end up being fairly decent, but he wont be like the past bigs that USU has depended on over the years. I would put more emphasis on the future development of Collette (who I think will take a very similar path as Bendall) than Clifford. Also, you are projecting the future success of Utah State on players who haven't even played yet. Jardine, Pane, and Grimm have put on the Aggie blue and white, but they were playing alongside, perhaps, players who made up some of the best teams in USU history. Wesley, Green, Bendall, Newbold, Formisano, Walker and Williams are gone. Five of those players are going to be very tough to replace in one season.

Also, stop looking at a season that is over. I'm talking about 2011-2012, no disrespect from me, I appreciate your insight and support. Yes, Utah State beat Weber in Logan last year. If Curry wasn't reffing it would have been closer, but its water under the bridge, its part of the game. However, with regard to next season, Weber will be bringing back a very veteran team. NO one else in the state has the experience that Weber has, talent, yeah, but experience no. Also, Weber has two of the best players in the state. As for the SJSU game...Weber was tired, injury riddled, and barely able to practice. The team didn't care about the game...they were in the midst of trying to win the conference crown, it was their 4th game in 8 days. Needless to say, there were more important things to worry about; they had a big game against conference-rival ISU that next Tuesday. Finally, just to remind you, Lillard was out, Bamforth was playing at 50%, Mahoney, Bullinger, and Hughey were all at 75%. Weber had three freshmen logging a lot of mins. Kinda not the best example. Thats like me saying the UM beat Idaho by 42 and Idaho beat USU so evidently UM is the better team. We all know who the better team was last year.

 

[WSUnPurple1]

George the Mighty, Mighty WAC.... laughing out loud

not sure how Stew is going to be able to keep Reed under control, if he couldn't keep Walker in check. Reed was kicked off his JC team. Arnold seems to have qualifying issues raising red flags. Rumblings of Panes Mom, and Jardines parents not happy with Morrill. A couple of other JC's in Bumpus, Pane, Bruneel. Too many loose cannons, too many JC's. I think disaster lies ahead for Cow College. Is wonderful to see WSU in a much stronger position looking forward as far as the program goes.

 

[UtahPirate]

Saw that USU signed 'Igor Premasunac'. Now they have a real Euro-trash flopper and once Stew gets him properly trained in USU-trash flopping, ole Igor 'walk-this-way-master' Premasunac should put on quite a sprawling on the court show.

If we can get the refs to get the Aggie bigs to actually play upright, we should destroy them. If the refs love the Fosbury fakes then we will be in trouble — like we always are when the Ags hit the hardwood face first.

Not sure if we will be the best team in the state as a lot rests on Tresnak and Hajek. We get decent play from them and....

No doubt we have the best back court!

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

not sure how Stew is going to be able to keep Reed under control, if he couldn't keep Walker in check. Reed was kicked off his JC team. Arnold seems to have qualifying issues raising red flags. Rumblings of Panes Mom, and Jardines parents not happy with Morrill. A couple of other JC's in Bumpus, Pane, Bruneel. Too many loose cannons, too many JC's. I think disaster lies ahead for Cow College. Is wonderful to see WSU in a much stronger position looking forward as far as the program goes.

Wishful thinking on your part. Don't get mad because we get players who wouldn't consider Weber State, and if we want a recruit that you want, we get him. 4 good HS recruits have already verballed for 2012. We've cherry picked the state of Utah for next year. You can have the rest.

 

[SWeberCat02]

not sure how Stew is going to be able to keep Reed under control, if he couldn't keep Walker in check. Reed was kicked off his JC team. Arnold seems to have qualifying issues raising red flags. Rumblings of Panes Mom, and Jardines parents not happy with Morrill. A couple of other JC's in Bumpus, Pane, Bruneel. Too many loose cannons, too many JC's. I think disaster lies ahead for Cow College. Is wonderful to see WSU in a much stronger position looking forward as far as the program goes.

Wishful thinking on your part. Don't get mad because we get players who wouldn't consider Weber State, and if we want a recruit that you want, we get him. 4 good HS recruits have already verballed for 2012. We've cherry picked the state of Utah for next year. You can have the rest.

Cherry picking the state of Utah is nothing to be proud of. High school basketball in this state is average at best. Very few Utah high schoolers make much of an impact at the next level. Your arrogance is typical of Aggie fan. You think you're big time, but you sit in a crumbling irrelevant conference and can't win a big game when it matters. No one outside of Cache county takes you guys serious. Just ask the tournament selection committee.

 

[weberwildcat]

Will any teams from our state make the NCAA's? Will any team from our state get higher than a 12 seed? Is a win realistic from our state next year if we can get a team in? This thread might turn in to arguing over teams that aren't all that overall. We will have the best player in the state so I am gonna be hopeful we can win more than we lose in-state for a change. Look what Jim Fredette did for BYU.

 

[oldrunner]

I would never count any SM coached team out. USU would be competitive with their cheer leaders if Stew had a few weeks with them. I expect a hard fought game in Ogden next year.

Utah will be more cometitive with less talent. Don't expect them to lay down for anyone either. They will come in woth a chip on their shoulder.

BYU has a little rebuilding to do, but they have plenty of talent to get it done. They may not hit a stride until February. I hope we get them early.

With that said, we still have the best team in the State. I expect that we will win our share.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

Cherry picking the state of Utah is nothing to be proud of. High school basketball in this state is average at best. Very few Utah high schoolers make much of an impact at the next level. Your arrogance is typical of Aggie fan. You think you're big time, but you sit in a crumbling irrelevant conference and can't win a big game when it matters. No one outside of Cache county takes you guys serious. Just ask the tournament selection committee.

Come on now. Be honest. You know you'd take any of the 3 Utah HS kids that have verballed to the Aggies for 2012 in a heartbeat and be posting on here how you got the best players in the state. Just like you did with Brown this year. Utah may not put out a lot of D1 players annually, but it's getting better, and many are well coached. Wesley, Newbold, Bendall, all Utah kids started for us this year. There are 4, maybe 6 kids in Utah next year who are mid major or higher. I don't think the WAC, or USU, are big time in basketball. But, fact is, that the Aggie basketball program is stronger in every way than yours, and the WAC is a stronger conference in basketball than the Big Sky. Those are facts, not arrogance, not opinion, and while we haven't won an NCAA game in a while, at least we make it. We win the conference, we beat you 10 of the last 11, and we don't choke in the conference tourny. So, until you can do better, you have absolutely no room to criticize USU basketball. All it is is jealousy. Plain and simple. And if you were honest, you'd love it if Weber State basketball is where USU basketball is.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Who are these four recruits? Only one is DI talent.

 

[WSUnPurple]

This is what you're bragging about?

1.Oliverson :thumbdown:
2.Davis :thumbdown:
3.Bair :thumb:
4.Mystery recruit (bs) :thumbdown:

You're full of bs Georgehayduke sAggienation is in meltdown mode as we speak.

Apparently Pooh's wife was yelling to the Walker family to get the hell out of this school at the NCAA's.... Sounds like Williams didn't enjoy his time in Cache Valley.

 

[bigskychamps07]

Cherry picking the state of Utah is nothing to be proud of. High school basketball in this state is average at best. Very few Utah high schoolers make much of an impact at the next level. Your arrogance is typical of Aggie fan. You think you're big time, but you sit in a crumbling irrelevant conference and can't win a big game when it matters. No one outside of Cache county takes you guys serious. Just ask the tournament selection committee.

Come on now. Be honest. You know you'd take any of the 3 Utah HS kids that have verballed to the Aggies for 2012 in a heartbeat and be posting on here how you got the best players in the state. Just like you did with Brown this year. Utah may not put out a lot of D1 players annually, but it's getting better, and many are well coached. Wesley, Newbold, Bendall, all Utah kids started for us this year. There are 4, maybe 6 kids in Utah next year who are mid major or higher. I don't think the WAC, or USU, are big time in basketball. But, fact is, that the Aggie basketball program is stronger in every way than yours, and the WAC is a stronger conference in basketball than the Big Sky. Those are facts, not arrogance, not opinion, and while we haven't won an NCAA game in a while, at least we make it. We win the conference, we beat you 10 of the last 11, and we don't choke in the conference tourny. So, until you can do better, you have absolutely no room to criticize USU basketball. All it is is jealousy. Plain and simple. And if you were honest, you'd love it if Weber State basketball is where USU basketball is.

I've honestly never heard of the 3 Utah kids. As to all the other info, it's all bunk now because we're talking next year and next year I believe the Weber is the top team in the state. You'll eat humble pie when we beat you in football and basketball next season. :nod:

 

[oldrunner]

George is right to say that USU has gotten more than their fair share of local talent. However, I would also say that they have improved tremendously while playing under Stew and in that system. Programs like Stew's and Randy's are well suited for the kind of players that Utah produces. The commitments USU has received from Utah kids are very good players. They are not on the same level as our three freshmen coming in this year, but will probably do quite well at USU. USU is reloading a little bit, after losing their front line to graduation, but Stew will get it done. They will win the WAC because the other two remaining schools are not on their level. One nice thing about having a three team conference is that you get to schedule a lot more OOC games against DIIs and NAIAs. I predict another 20+ win season for USU.

 

[n.ogdencat]

This thread isn't an analysis of who is getting better instate recruits in 2012. This thread is an attempt to look at each of the instate teams and, according to what they have NOW, how good they will be next fall. USU is losing 7 players. Four of whom are starters, Walker (who was supposedly the top recruit in USU history), the sixth man, and a decent big. The JC's coming in don't know Stew's system, and don't even seem like players who will fit into that system, if they can even stay at school (HELL is stew asking John L. to recruit for the basketball team??). As for Redshirts and returning players we can only guess to seeing how good they will be. USU's offense has, for the most part, always gone through their bigs. Igor might turn out to being really good. Clifford, Jardine, and Grimm together might be enough to make up for the loss of Wesley and Bendall, but right now, I don't think so. Kansas State knew exactly how to beat USU (I did want USU to get to the Sweet 16), get Wesley out of the game and guard the perimeter. Yes, Pane is returning, and he is a hell of a guard. It's a good thing for USU that they have him for another year.

I'm sorry, I think Weber is getting better recruits out-side the state. YES, WEBER stole one in Brown. Good thing the Big 3 are to arrogant to watch 3A and below. However, and unfortunately, Weber is fourth major university in Utah, and has to get most of its players from other states. As for the Collette deal...weber didn't want to waste a scholarship on him until he got back from his mission. Also, I'm sure the coaching staff knew that he would end up playing at SLCC in the future, so they will still have a chance to sign him in the future.

 

[weberwildcat]

wesley n wilkinson r both utah boys and recent wac mvp's. but isnt the thread about the best team not who gets more locals?

we have a chance to be the best team in the state, of course expecting fans from byu, utah or usu to hear that or believe that is a laugh to them. lets hope our team is what we know they can be. all our state games wont be easy wins. usu has won 23 or more games over over 10 years. there is no chance they will suck next yr i dont know anthing about their recruits, it doesnt matter who stew has. utah has a good coach now so who knows. byu game is in provo so if we dont have a 30 pt lead with a minute to go that is a loss. im hopefulll about our home scheduel though - usu, utah, suu. no uvu on the docket.

i do know one thing, dame doesn't play for those other schools. :thumb:

 

[UtahPirate]

Sorry, I know there are those that want to get this thread back on track.... but.....

The King has no clothes people. He is completely naked!

This was Stew's best team in years...and for me his last chance at credibility. One more NCAA tourney, one more egg laid! Seriously, K-State was playing without their best player and it was the same ole same ole for USU. Of course he will win 20 games -- 19 will be at home against Cal State Bakersfield type opponents. And defending the quality of the WAC as it slowly sinks into the sunset against the Big Sky (a conference with a solid reputation and a long tradition) -- are you really serious?

The nation's disdain for the Aggies showed in their #12 seeding -- and Charles Barkley rolling his eyeballs at halftime of their game when the other analysts where pretending to take the Ags seriously. Barkley only wanted to know if there had been a Wild Bill sighting. At 30-4, that's what the Aggies are "Where's Wild Bill?" George, your program is known for a cartoon character! When I travel and tell people I am a Weber State fan, they know my team by their on NCAA tournament upsets.

I know this is a WSU forum -- and I love my Cats. So I apologize for the tirade against the Aggies. But I know too many George's who have their Aggie heads (please pick your own appropriate ending to this sentence).

 

[PURPLEFORLIFE]

Wow, this thread went off on a tangent!! I agree with everything you said Pirate.

 

[WILDCAT]

Sorry, I know there are those that want to get this thread back on track.... but.....

The King has no clothes people. He is completely naked!

This was Stew's best team in years...and for me his last chance at credibility. One more NCAA tourney, one more egg laid! Seriously, K-State was playing without their best player and it was the same ole same ole for USU. Of course he will win 20 games -- 19 will be at home against Cal State Bakersfield type opponents. And defending the quality of the WAC as it slowly sinks into the sunset against the Big Sky (a conference with a solid reputation and a long tradition) -- are you really serious?

The nation's disdain for the Aggies showed in their #12 seeding -- and Charles Barkley rolling his eyeballs at halftime of their game when the other analysts where pretending to take the Ags seriously. Barkley only wanted to know if there had been a Wild Bill sighting. At 30-4, that's what the Aggies are "Where's Wild Bill?" George, your program is known for a cartoon character! When I travel and tell people I am a Weber State fan, they know my team by their on NCAA tournament upsets.

I know this is a WSU forum -- and I love my Cats. So I apologize for the tirade against the Aggies. But I know too many George's who have their Aggie heads (please pick your own appropriate ending to this sentence).

:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: