DENVER

[n.ogdencat]

We've got Denver at the Dee this Saturday night. And like Wildcat said in another thread (sorry if I misquote you), but this is a good DI game to have at home. I'm pretty excited to get Denver here in Ogden and look forward to this game. Already Denver has played two Big Sky schools. They beat Sac after trailing by 16 and lost in Cheney to Thumper (the coach up there loves to stomp his feet) and his Eastern Washington Eagles by 5. Denver's other win was against San Jose State. Denver has played, and lost by 3, to UVU and gets Wyoming tomorrow night in Laramie.

The Pioneers are lead by Joe Rosga and Daniel Amigo who are averaging 17 and 15 respectively. The other three starters CJ Bobbit, Jake Pemberton, and Thomas Neff. Their starting 5 make up 75% of the Pioneers offense and mins. They aren't the greatest rebounding team but Amigo has been averaging 8 a game. They are better than what they were last season.

 

[oldrunner]

This should be a very good game and the UVU game as well. I think our guys will be on edge for this game. This is the kind of home and home contract that we all want. Show that you like it by coming out and bringing 50 of your closest friends.

Don't know who will win or lose, but I do know there will be some heavy competition going on.

 

[WILDCAT]

Im just glad to finally have the Wildcats back at home. Been almost a month since our last home game. Im ready to watch another game at the Dee already.

I think it'll be a competitive game, Strangely 2 of Denver's three losses are on their home court. Their sole road win Like Tal said coming against the Spartans of San Jose.

The tough thing for Denver is their game tomorrow against the Pokes is the start of 5 straight road games against Wyo, Weber, Texas A&M, Air Force and South Alabama. Tough stretch for anyone.

Keys to a Wildcat win will be rebounds and making freebies. Turning the turnovers down a notch would be nice too.

Go Wildcats

 

[oldrunner]

Im just glad to finally have the Wildcats back at home. Been almost a month since our last home game. Im ready to watch another game at the Dee already.

I think it'll be a competitive game, Strangely 2 of Denver's three losses are on their home court. Their sole road win Like Tal said coming against the Spartans of San Jose.

The tough thing for Denver is their game tomorrow against the Pokes is the start of 5 straight road games against Wyo, Weber, Texas A&M, Air Force and South Alabama. Tough stretch for anyone.

Keys to a Wildcat win will be rebounds and making freebies. Turning the turnovers down a notch would be nice too.

Go Wildcats

I agree with everything you said. The only thing I will add is that if we come out with high defensive intensity, the rest of it is going to fall in place. I fully expect a high level of intensity all game long. If our rebounding does not improve, we are going to need to force more turn overs. Number of possessions relates to number of shots. We have to create possessions one way or another. I think that it is going to need to be with our D. Our rebounding may fail us from time to time.

 

[WILDCAT]

Im just glad to finally have the Wildcats back at home. Been almost a month since our last home game. Im ready to watch another game at the Dee already.

I think it'll be a competitive game, Strangely 2 of Denver's three losses are on their home court. Their sole road win Like Tal said coming against the Spartans of San Jose.

The tough thing for Denver is their game tomorrow against the Pokes is the start of 5 straight road games against Wyo, Weber, Texas A&M, Air Force and South Alabama. Tough stretch for anyone.

Keys to a Wildcat win will be rebounds and making freebies. Turning the turnovers down a notch would be nice too.

Go Wildcats

I agree with everything you said. The only thing I will add is that if we come out with high defensive intensity, the rest of it is going to fall in place. I fully expect a high level of intensity all game long. If our rebounding does not improve, we are going to need to force more turn overs. Number of possessions relates to number of shots. We have to create possessions one way or another. I think that it is going to need to be with our D. Our rebounding may fail us from time to time.

YES! This would be huge, in all 3 games in Alaska our opponent got off to a really hot and fast start. If we can like you said come out with a little more defensive intensity we might not have to play from behind or try to erase large first half deficits to start a game. :nod:

 

[oldrunner]

We have had problems with starts and finishes. I feel a bit greedy, but I want both things to happen. Consistency is the key to a lot of things in life and sports. We need it as a team and each one of our guys need it as well. You can't always count on your shooting, but if you do it right, you can always play intense defense. I suspect that defense has been the topic at all of the practices this week. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do against a very good team on our home floor.

 

[AlumniWSU]

Glad for what should be a good test against a good team (very good ? --- debatable)...a definite :thumb: on the home schedule. Rebounding being mentioned a bit here, watched tonight's game, BYU vs USU, the Cougars gave the Aggies some hard lessons on rebounding...at one point getting 3 straight offensive boards with Emery finally hitting a 3. Neither team seemed invincible, making quite a few TOs, but I'm getting a definite shudder when thinking of the Wildcats challenges with rebounding going up against the Y next Wed. But then, not to be negative & upset the "settlers", we all know the expected pattern of result against BYU. :roll:

Get the win Wildcats!! Because, other than WCBaptist, it's likely to be a very bumpy ride for the next 4 games left till conference play---ahh, yes, the "Real Season" for Weber State basketball.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Rebounding...

I have had quite a few discussions about this since last January, and I'm absolutely beside myself about the recruiting decision of our coaching staff this spring. I was hopeful that Randy would go after a JC big who could contribute right away. Kiko was coming off an injury, Dallas wasn't progressing as much as we hoped, and we were losing the most prolific rebounder in 40 years. To me, with an open spot, you go after the most needed type of player first. A big! We desperately needed more depth at that position. Regrettably, we didn't get it. I really like Harding and am glad he is here, but the Georgie recruitment leaves me shaking my head.

Of course, none of us thought that Kiko would get injured again or that Dallas really wasn't ready for major mins. Nonetheless, even with Hill or Braxton on the floor Weber still really struggles crashing the boards. Our guards do one of two things. Eagerly run backwards after taking a shot or just stand around watching. Our big need more help. When Baker is in the game we give up size for speed and that is when fundamentals really count. Not ripping on Baker at all. Personally, I think he is our best player. Just our rebounding is bad because it isn't being taught. Yes, you can definitely coach rebounding. You teach toughness and how to freaking box out.

 

[WILDCAT]

Totally forgot that Denver played last night. Looks like they played Wyo pretty tough but fell by 12 in the end.

The game was pretty even from a statistical point of view, Denver did out rebound the Pokes by 7 but also turned the ball over 10 more times than Wyo.

It'll be a battle on Saturday. Here's hoping the Cats can take care of business.

 

[oldrunner]

Rebounding is really hard work. To do it well you must have a strong desire to do it. A coach can teach the fundamentals over and over, yell, preach, bench, yell some more, stand on his head while yelling, bribe players, threaten players, and be a total AH about it, and some players still refuse to do it. I've seen all of those things happen in practices. Does anyone remember Doug Eilertson? I'm probably exaggerating, but I don't think he was much over 6'4'' and 170 lbs. He couldn't jump a lick and he wasn't the fastest guy out there. All he did was lead our team in rebounding. It was all desire. He simply wanted to do it. It was in him. I'm still on the side of rebounders being born, not made.

Tal; hind sight is always 20/20. We were counting on Kiko. His summertime injury left us really thin on big men. George Darling is actually a good rebounder. That is probably the best thing he does. The rest of his game is what is in need of polish. Dusty is a good rebounder for his size. That is why he is playing at the 4 spot. We don't have a standout rebounder any more. We need the entire team to pick it up and if they can not do it, we will need to start pressing and trying to force more turn overs. It's really that simple.

Against Denver, I think we need to work hard on the boards and throw a couple of presses into the mix. I'd like to see us mix in a zone or two as well.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

It's really not that impossible to make bad rebounding players decent. I think you're exaggerating a tad bit, Olds. Yes, there's a knack that gifted rebounders have but a coach can demand all players box and fight for boards. If players simply refuse to put forth the effort, then by all means bench their @$$ and admit you misjudged the character of the recruit-- he works for you! I still stay rebounding is going to have to improve or this season could be a big disappointment.

 

[baller]

Rahe's system doesn't lend itself well to two things.

(1) Rebounds - look at Rahe's rebounding results in years where Joel was getting 10+ a night and we still got out rebounded most of the time. Rahe's is a system that places a premium on defense after the shot over crashing the boards for offensive rebounds. Four guys are in a hurry to "get back" and defend. Rahe places a higher priority on defense first over offensive rebounds.

(2) Weber has never come close to leading the BSC in assists by the PG. To get lots of assists at that position one needs a point guard who can take it into the paint and dish. Rahe's offense rarely allows the point to take it inside. Check it out, you will see that shortly after passing the half court line 90% of the time the PG is passing off to one of the wings to start the half-court offense. You rarely see him taking it into the paint looking for a dish. (Senglin will take it in from his 2-guard spot, but has no ability to see the pass) Cannon could be extremely adept at doing this but it is not the approach taken by Randy so you rarely see him attempt it. I think Rahe's system has so severely limited Cannon that he has taken a step-back in his performance this year. Also, one rarely sees the PG leading the fast break with the ball in his hands, another place where assists can be racked up.

Additionally, Rahe plays not to loose in the last 5-10 minutes of any game where he has even a minimal lead at that point. As a result, his "prevent system" prevents victories a high percentage of the time. On the surface it may seem that the players are just choking at the end, but I see it as a system that chokes them and prevents offense.

And lastly, Rahe's teams consistently have more talent and speed than anyone else in the Big Sky, but he doesn't allow them to use that speed and talent and create. The offense seems like it is trying to run in a closet instead of on a gym floor. The restrictions do not take advantage of their speed to create advantages over the opponent. That's bad coaching!

Rahe coaches a system where the players are expected to adjust their style to the systemm. The best coaches adapt their system to the unique talents of their key players each season. This allows the coaches to maximize the talents already in place rather than try to redesign talent to do things it doesn't do as well; to do those things that come natural to them. That's bad coaching!

 

[WSUfan1]

Rahe's system doesn't lend itself well to two things.

(1) Rebounds - look at Rahe's rebounding results in years where Joel was getting 10+ a night and we still got out rebounded most of the time. Rahe's is a system that places a premium on defense after the shot over crashing the boards for offensive rebounds. Four guys are in a hurry to "get back" and defend. Rahe places a higher priority on defense first over offensive rebounds.

(2) Weber has never come close to leading the BSC in assists by the PG. To get lots of assists at that position one needs a point guard who can take it into the paint and dish. Rahe's offense rarely allows the point to take it inside. Check it out, you will see that shortly after passing the half court line 90% of the time the PG is passing off to one of the wings to start the half-court offense. You rarely see him taking it into the paint looking for a dish. (Senglin will take it in from his 2-guard spot, but has no ability to see the pass) Cannon could be extremely adept at doing this but it is not the approach taken by Randy so you rarely see him attempt it. I think Rahe's system has so severely limited Cannon that he has taken a step-back in his performance this year. Also, one rarely sees the PG leading the fast break with the ball in his hands, another place where assists can be racked up.

Additionally, Rahe plays not to loose in the last 5-10 minutes of any game where he has even a minimal lead at that point. As a result, his "prevent system" prevents victories a high percentage of the time. On the surface it may seem that the players are just choking at the end, but I see it as a system that chokes them and prevents offense.

And lastly, Rahe's teams consistently have more talent and speed than anyone else in the Big Sky, but he doesn't allow them to use that speed and talent and create. The offense seems like it is trying to run in a closet instead of on a gym floor. The restrictions do not take advantage of their speed to create advantages over the opponent. That's bad coaching!

Rahe coaches a system where the players are expected to adjust their style to the systemm. The best coaches adapt their system to the unique talents of their key players each season. This allows the coaches to maximize the talents already in place rather than try to redesign talent to do things it doesn't do as well; to do those things that come natural to them. That's bad coaching!

Woah baller.... you might be called a troll by WILDCAT after a post like this... :lol: :lol:

 

[baller]

LOL... I don't even know what a troll is... so calling me a troll is ok with me.

 

[baller]

I have watched Denver play twice this year and I am here to say that if Weber loses this game on their home court it gonna be a big-time disappointing season. Denver doesn't have near the talent of Weber and they are bad rebounders. So we should out rebounds them, out assist them, outshoot them and win by 10+. If not, I will probably be on this site bitchin again. If we win, I definitely will not post anything since I am one who never posts after a good win. Denver is no better than a middle of the road BSC team, thats all, and we should bitch slap them good. If we don't you can bet your sweet bippy that I'll be blaming coaching.

 

[oldrunner]

LOL... I don't even know what a troll is... so calling me a troll is ok with me.

Bawler; You are not a troll. That would imply that you are really a fan of some other program. You seem to be passionate about WSU and that is a good thing. You want us to do better, and that is a good thing. You tend to exaggerate to make a point, but we all do that. You do seem to dwell on the negative more than most posters.

If I had to categorize you, I would say that you are not a troll, more of a whiner. :lol:

 

[Webergrad02]

Rebounding is really hard work. To do it well you must have a strong desire to do it. A coach can teach the fundamentals over and over, yell, preach, bench, yell some more, stand on his head while yelling, bribe players, threaten players, and be a total AH about it, and some players still refuse to do it. I've seen all of those things happen in practices. Does anyone remember Doug Eilertson? I'm probably exaggerating, but I don't think he was much over 6'4'' and 170 lbs. He couldn't jump a lick and he wasn't the fastest guy out there. All he did was lead our team in rebounding. It was all desire. He simply wanted to do it. It was in him. I'm still on the side of rebounders being born, not made.

Tal; hind sight is always 20/20. We were counting on Kiko. His summertime injury left us really thin on big men. George Darling is actually a good rebounder. That is probably the best thing he does. The rest of his game is what is in need of polish. Dusty is a good rebounder for his size. That is why he is playing at the 4 spot. We don't have a standout rebounder any more. We need the entire team to pick it up and if they can not do it, we will need to start pressing and trying to force more turn overs. It's really that simple.

Against Denver, I think we need to work hard on the boards and throw a couple of presses into the mix. I'd like to see us mix in a zone or two as well.

Olds I thought for sure you would mention Darling's ability to get 39 points in an All Star game. Oh whoops scratch that, I mean his ability to score 39 out of 50 in a dunk contest.
http://www.bigskyfans.com/wildcats/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5346

 

[ajwildcat]

For what its worth Denver out rebounded Wyoming by 7. Denver probably would have won if they didn't have 19 turnovers and only shot 7-24 from the 3. Should be a WSU win, but both teams do have scholarship athletes that are D1.

 

[n.ogdencat]

For what its worth Denver out rebounded Wyoming by 7. Denver probably would have won if they didn't have 19 turnovers and only shot 7-24 from the 3. Should be a WSU win, but both teams do have scholarship athletes that are D1.

:thumb: Denver is a good team and they can beat us at the Dee if we don't bring our A game and play with some heart and intensity.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

Maybe Denver will struggle with the altitude? Coming from Denver via Laramie, it'll be like sea level to them. Maybe all that oxygen will go to their head :shocking: ? Regardless, I'd love to see Weber get after it on the boards but I'm not holding my breath :lol: .