My take on the game:
1. Weber was a much better TEAM last night, meaning they played better together on offense and defense without Dame. Much better ball movement, motion, help defense, etc. Having Dame out caused them to play better team ball. I would much rather have him healthy and in the game, but this team will still be very good without him.
2. Weber had too many turnovers which would have been reduced by having Dame in the game (a legitimate NBA point guard prospect would not have turned the ball over as much as younger, inexperienced guys thrown into the game without a lot of preparation).
3. The crowd was good - there were a few zoobie fans, but they were not that loud and for the most part behaved themselves. Weber fans were pretty good towards the end when things tightened up (still need Joker and the Thief to get the crowd going).
4. We have some seriously talented young players who will be great in the years to come. Bamforth, Porter, Tresnack, and Fulton will lead Weber to many Big Sky championships and NCAA tournaments. If Dame gets a medical redshirt, imagine how good this team will be next year and the year after ...
5. James F. was good, but I must say I was not too impressed. He could hit a long 3 ball, but that was about it. The talk of him going to the NBA makes me laugh - can you say Travis Hansen all over again? The best player in the building had a broken foot.
6. The music sucked (what else is new?) I did like it when they played California Gurls - and in case you missed it, it was a not so subtle jab at the zoobies (see this version of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84u5k4bboU4
I am optimistic about this team - they will win many games in the Big Sky. Montana seems to be a legit team, but I think this Weber team will surprise people. Lots of great young players with a ton of potential and the big men seem to have improved quite a bit since the first of the season.