2022 -- Predictions
Wed: Idaho over Sac State
Idaho State over Portland State
Eastern Washington over Northern Arizona
Thur: Montana State over Idaho
Montana over Weber State
Southern Utah over Idaho State
Eastern Washington over Northern Colorado
Fri: Montana State over Montana
Eastern Washington over Northern Colorado
Sat: Montana State over Eastern Washington
Yes, Montana has played pathetic over the last several weeks, but so has Weber State and sadly a pathetic Montana is better than a pathetic Weber State [or at least not as bad as a pathetic Weber State.]
Same old Same old pattern for WSU - peak too early - suck at end of season & tournament time. Coach doesn't seem to care if we win or lose at this time of year or in the Big Sky tournament. Two consecutive first round losses to clearly inferior opponents in the past two BSC tournaments.
Weber State has the deepest bench it's had in years and yet Randy still only uses 8 players in regular rotation and then only the 3 off the bench for a relatively few minutes per game. People talk about the tired legs syndrome or lack thereof but the lack of using your bench goes much deeper that. Far more significant than the potential tired legs syndrome - which I don't think is as much of a factor as many on this board think it is - is the fact that by not using your bench several things happen. First your bench players lose the rhythm and become hesitant. Also your play becomes much more predictable as the season progresses because you're not using as many different combinations as you have available for attacking - hence contributing to WSU's predictability at the end of the season.
Second, since the coach is demonstrating a lack of confidence in the bench players, they lose confidence in themselves and hence other players also lose confidence in them. All players seem to lose confidence in their teammates.
In tonight's game against Southern Utah it became very apparent that the team was not playing team ball which they had done so well in each of their 8 game win-streaks. They all seemed to be not looking to pass to each other like they did earlier in the season and seemed to be the team playing without the will to win or even compete. Perhaps they have lost confidence in each other and themselves for various reasons.
This is the reason why I expect Weber State to lose its first round game to Montana.
If we want to end this pattern and rise back to the top of the Big Sky which is where we should be at and remain; Serious changes must occur or a rise out of the depths of mediocrity will never be realized again for Weber State basketball. :wall:
