BSC recruiting update

[Midmajor??]

2014 looks like a huge transition year for Weber State with 6 new players.


@Hoopniks: Conference Recruiting Update - Big Sky men's basketball signings and commitments breakdown. http://t.co/JduCCSwtnM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Skippy]

Mcclellan decommitted last fall and is not in the picture for ISU.

 

[oldrunner]

That is really 7 new players when you factor in Ryan Van Pelt, and potentially 8, depending on what we do in the D1 transfer market this summer. We really, only have 5 returning scholarship players. However, it does not feel like a rebuilding year, at all. I think we will be just fine. The first few games may be a bit interesting, but this group will get things worked out quickly. They are too talented not to. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[n.ogdencat]

Interesting year for the Sky. Immediately I would like to say that the Sky is improving, but I am not so sure. Automatically one can assume that NAU and UM are improving their overall depth, and that Eastern, Sac, and UNCO are doing what is necessary to become contenders. But other than that one can make an argument, based on what each program needed, that their team has the best recruiting class in the Sky.

As a homer, I feel that Weber's is hands down the best class. Two C's, 4 guards that can each play multiple positions, and a PF. Three, and depending on the fresh, I feel 5 can immediately contribute. Should be a fun year.

 

[oldrunner]

Teams that made themselves better:

1) WSU
2) UM
3) NAU
4) PSU
5) Sac St

Everyone else is treading water. Although, we all know that one player can, sometimes, make a huge difference, and that sometimes a player seems to come out of nowhere to make an impact. :twocents:

 

[Skippy]

Teams that made themselves better:

1) WSU
2) UM
3) NAU
4) PSU
5) Sac St

Everyone else is treading water. Although, we all know that one player can, sometimes, make a huge difference, and that sometimes a player seems to come out of nowhere to make an impact. :twocents:

I have to disagree with you, Old Runner, I don't see Weber State getting better, at least not short term. I don't see how you lose players like Tresnak and Berry and become "better" in one season. Weber has some good young players coming in, but they won't replace senior experience and talent like Tresnak and Berry in one season. I still see the Wildcats as a pre-season favorite to win the league, but I don't see them as "better."

I also don't see Montana getting better after losing the best player in the conference. They are bringing in a couple of bigs, which they truly need, but again, I don't see a one year transformation for the better.

I really like Sac State's recruiting lately, especially their ability to bring in big kids. If they ever get a new facility built, they could become a consistent contender. Same with Portland State. Both those schools have big plans on the drawing board, but we have been waiting for somebody, anybody in the Big Sky to make significant changes in facilities for what, 35 years now? I guess I'll believe it when the concrete starts getting poured.

 

[Wildcat_Fan]

Teams that made themselves better:

1) WSU
2) UM
3) NAU
4) PSU
5) Sac St

Everyone else is treading water. Although, we all know that one player can, sometimes, make a huge difference, and that sometimes a player seems to come out of nowhere to make an impact. :twocents:

I have to disagree with you, Old Runner, I don't see Weber State getting better, at least not short term. I don't see how you lose players like Tresnak and Berry and become "better" in one season. Weber has some good young players coming in, but they won't replace senior experience and talent like Tresnak and Berry in one season. I still see the Wildcats as a pre-season favorite to win the league, but I don't see them as "better."

I also don't see Montana getting better after losing the best player in the conference. They are bringing in a couple of bigs, which they truly need, but again, I don't see a one year transformation for the better.

I really like Sac State's recruiting lately, especially their ability to bring in big kids. If they ever get a new facility built, they could become a consistent contender. Same with Portland State. Both those schools have big plans on the drawing board, but we have been waiting for somebody, anybody in the Big Sky to make significant changes in facilities for what, 35 years now? I guess I'll believe it when the concrete starts getting poured.

I have to agree. I cant imagine how many pass on Sac and Portland St because their facilities are well...pathetic to say the least. Sac is smaller then my Jr high gym and those who want to play in Cali dont wanna play there. They gotta spend some money!

 

[oldrunner]

The reason that I feel WSU has improved significantly, even with the departure of Tresnak and Berry, is that we have added significantly better rebounders and defenders. Of course we will miss the leadership and offense from those two. However, as this team finds its way, we will be more athletic, a better rebounding team, and a better defensive team. You might say that we lost too much offense, but we have brought in guys who can fill it up when given the chance and we will produce more chances next year than we did this past year. There will be some growing pains with a team this young. However, we are better and deeper at every position. :twocents:

 

[hugobossy]

Summer before last season we were in the running to land Juan Anderson from Marquette when he flirted with transferring. In hindsight I bet he wish he would have came to Ogden. It was a perfect scenario where he would have the redshirt year to learn the system and watch the team win conference and make it to the tournament. This coming season he would have taken the torch from Berry and kept the Oakland CA connection going (Dame, Mook & Dev), Weber would also be favorites to represent the Big Sky in the NCAA tournament. Instead he spent another year under utilized only to say he played in a power conference on a team that didn't make the tournament.

I say this only to remind 500+ kids looking to transfer, NEVER underestimate the opportunity you can have coming to Weber State!!!

Rahes coaching has been questioned in big games but no one doubts his ability to recruit, I'm sure he has gem up his sleeve. We'll be alright next year with Senglin & Joel improving as the team leaders with Hill and Gittens as a strong supporting cast.

 

[oldrunner]

Yes. Juan would have been a perfect fit for us, if he would have transferred last year. He would be coming in this fall with two years of eligibility left. He would have been a star, a marquee guy. However, he chose another path and we wish him the best of luck.

Now, we are, actively, in the market for a D1 transfer or a high major high school recruit to fill our last opening. Believe it or not, there are still some highly regarded HS seniors who are still unsigned. Players who thought they were headed for a big time program but were dropped when that program found someone they liked better. This sort of thing happens every year. The other big market is the D1 transfer market. You can, sometimes, pick up a high major recruit who signed with a major program, only to learn that they really should have gone to a mid major, if they wanted to get the playing time. Over the years, we have landed a lot of this sort of recruit. You have to be a little careful. You don't want to end up with someone else's problem child. When you get this kind of a transfer, you also want them to have more than one year of eligibility left, preferably 3 years.

Our coaches have a lot of options on the table right now. They just need to do their homework and make the right choice. They may be looking for a combo big, but don't be surprised if a guard pops up that is just too good to pass on.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Any names??

 

[oldrunner]

The only name I've heard, and this is just off the internet, is Joey Frenchwood, a 6'1'' point guard. I'm not sure how reliable that information is. The coaches won't say much until a player has signed. D1 transfers can be brought in at anytime, and you usually don't hear much about it until after it happens.

 

[Da Bears]

I'm worried that We're too young next year. I can see us being 4th or 5th until our Freshman big matures. I'm worried about Braxton being able to contribute. We have a freshman at 5, a Sr. Coming back from a dislocated knee and a guy returning from his mission! Joel is foul prone, but will have to carry the team in the front court. I'm not sold on Hajek!

Not the profile of a championship team!

 

[n.ogdencat]

Joey Frenchwood has been on the radar for sometime now. I don't know if he is a serious candidate or not though. As for transfers, I have no idea where to even start. I'm sure the coaching staff has an idea of who they are looking for, but as for the fans, we are kinda looking from the outside in. That is how it should be most of the time. So it doesn't matter. Just fun knowing who the Cats are looking at.

Welcome Mycats...I understand your concerns. I'm sure there are plenty of fans on the board who share your worries. I think the 5 position is going to be played by committee. This situation really reminds me of when Tresnak first came to Weber. However, Morris was far better prepared to play starter mins than Hajek is now. However, I feel Braxton is far better prepared to play significant mins immediately. More so than what Tres was able to contribute when he was a freshman. I could be completely wrong though. Tresnak is surely going to be missed. Who knows what the Cats are going to get from Van Pelt. He really developed and made some serious progress his red-shirt year before his mission, but that was two years ago. We will see, but we need to be patient with him. He could really turn into something special or, well, not. I think he will be a solid addition for the Cats.

Weber is going to be pretty solid at the 1, 2, 3, and 4. That Cats still have another scholarship to award and could get another, like Olds has said, big type player. A guy who can play the 4/5...yet there is a great chance that that guy won't be available to play for a season. Yes, the Cats are young, but our youth got a lot of experience and the addition of two Jr JUCO's will really help the Cats out.

 

[Midmajor??]

Funny post on the UNC Blog!

Colorado Recruits
by Da Bears » Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:03 pm

I'm getting tired of seeing Colorado recruits going to out of state schools. I'm excited we got Sylla, but I went to the Show at the Pepsi center and saw Chase Foster, Zach Braxton and Ghassan Nehme. They are all Colorado kids going to school out of state next year!

What am I missing? Braxton was all state first team 5A. Foster and Nehme were all state first team 4A! Braxton and Foster live in Highlands Ranch! Why would we ever lose local kids to Weber State and San Francisco? Did we even recruit these kids?

It drives me crazy that I have to watch a top Colorado hoopster beat our brains out every year at Weber State! We need a big and this kid is 6'10" 245 and averaged 18pt, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks a game in 5A! He should be a bear! I go on this forum for high school basketball and all they talk about is Collier, Harrell and Braxton! Why is he going to Weber State?

Coach Hill, is our recruiting budget big enough to recruit in Highlands Ranch?

 

[Da Bears]

LMAO!! Highlands Ranch is a hour from Greely! Looks like Rahe got him from UNC's backyard!
He's young, but it think he's going to fit in fine at Weber!

 

[oldrunner]

That is quite funny. However, if he didn't come to Weber, it probably would have been Stanford or Northwestern. Colorado is the one that is kicking itself right now. They totally missed on Braxton.

Da Bears had no chance at him. :rofl:

 

[wmfred]

How many watched the Colorado All Star Game - The Show? It was on TV over the weekend
(I think) and Braxton is for real. He will be much better than Tres was his first two years.
He seems to have a good personality and a good feel for the game. 13 pts and 9 rebounds
in the All Star game. Announcers said one weakness is free throw shooting but his
mechanics look ok. IF he can make the normal progress of a big man, he could be the best
power forward in the BSC. Wonder what the connection was for Weber to get him? Any
ideas? or Knowledge?

 

[Da Bears]

How many watched the Colorado All Star Game - The Show? It was on TV over the weekend
(I think) and Braxton is for real. He will be much better than Tres was his first two years.
He seems to have a good personality and a good feel for the game. 13 pts and 9 rebounds
in the All Star game. Announcers said one weakness is free throw shooting but his
mechanics look ok. IF he can make the normal progress of a big man, he could be the best
power forward in the BSC. Wonder what the connection was for Weber to get him? Any
ideas? or Knowledge?

It was the Damian Lillard impact! :rockon:

http://www.denverpost.com/preps/ci_24905761/zach-braxton-6-foot-9-245-pound-force-highlands-ranch-is-big-man-campus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[oldrunner]

I think we got him by being us and having a need to get a big man who can contribute right away. It didn't hurt that we have Damian Lillard as an ambassador. Also, if you watch how we play the game, we play inside out. It suits his game perfectly. I don't think you need to worry about his FT shooting at all. He has a great shooting touch. In addition, he is a great rebounder, defender, shot blocker, and passer. He has the potential to break a few records before he is done at WSU. :thumb: :thumb: