Depth issues

[hawkssb04]

Normally, Randy's squads are loaded with depth, which traditionally has helped us wear down Big Sky opponents. However, I wonder if our struggles this year have anything to do with our absence of a strong bench presence. Out of the Big Sky's top 10 leaders in minutes played per game, three of them are from Weber. Thoughts?

 

[catscratched]

These are highly tuned athletes. They are young and recover quickly. I don't think depth is a big issue until the end of the season, when you play three games in three nights. It would be more of an issue with us if we were a full court pressing team.

To me, our issues revolve around defense and rebounding. We've cut our turnovers and improved our assists. Our offensive production has improved a lot. We are just not stopping anyone and we are not as good on the boards as we should be. It's frustrating, but we are just a little soft right now. We need a little more fight in the dog.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I think, me included, that we all thought our bigs would be better. Losing Tresnak and Fulton has been quite a blow to the Cats. Braxton red shirting has also hurt, but in the long run that is really going to be a major benefit for the Cats. A guy who could end up being a four or three year starter. Another issue is that Van Pelt and Coston haven't turned into being players we expected they'd be. Hajek is better, but isn't Tresnak. He is decent on defense, but still doesn't grab rebounds like Tres and definitely isn't a scorer. He has 1 move. Hill is rarely used in the post and Bolomboy really isn't a back to the basket guy.

 

[Itiger]

I think, me included, that we all thought our bigs would be better. Losing Tresnak and Fulton has been quite a blow to the Cats. Braxton red shirting has also hurt, but in the long run that is really going to be a major benefit for the Cats. A guy who could end up being a four or three year starter. Another issue is that Van Pelt and Coston haven't turned into being players we expected they'd be. Hajek is better, but isn't Tresnak. He is decent on defense, but still doesn't grab rebounds like Tres and definitely isn't a scorer. He has 1 move. Hill is rarely used in the post and Bolomboy really isn't a back to the basket guy.

The focus needs to be on interior defense AND rebounding. Although we did win the rebounding battle against Idaho. I agree that we need a little nasty and maybe thats the role that James can fill the rest of the season. Hitting the boards and hitting them hard has to be an attitude. Bolomboy has it, but Hill has a way to go. Rahe has got to sit him down and say you're not a 3.... you don't have the skills to be a three and I need you busting your butt and becoming the best 4 you could possibly be!

The next month you're going to see this team transform into a top contender in the BSC. They don't need to win the conference (although that would be great) but the have to win the tourney! that needs to be the goal for the remainder of the season! Winning Conference would be great, but winning the tourney is the holy grail!

 

[WSUProf]

Normally, Randy's squads are loaded with depth, which traditionally has helped us wear down Big Sky opponents. However, I wonder if our struggles this year have anything to do with our absence of a strong bench presence. Out of the Big Sky's top 10 leaders in minutes played per game, three of them are from Weber. Thoughts?

Where was our depth last year? Rahe basically ran a 7 man rotation with Gittens and Hill as the only subs getting decent minutes off the bench. Williams got a few minutes and Fulton and Fuller even fewer minutes.
Similar situation in 2012-13, with Wheelwright and Bolomboy as the only subs getting real minutes.
Yes, if you go back to 2011-12 you see some depth, but had Bullinger and Otis not gotten hurt, I doubt we would have seen more than two subs getting significant minutes.
Rahe just doesn't seem to like to go with a 9-10 man rotation.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Normally, Randy's squads are loaded with depth, which traditionally has helped us wear down Big Sky opponents. However, I wonder if our struggles this year have anything to do with our absence of a strong bench presence. Out of the Big Sky's top 10 leaders in minutes played per game, three of them are from Weber. Thoughts?

Where was our depth last year? Rahe basically ran a 7 man rotation with Gittens and Hill as the only subs getting decent minutes off the bench. Williams got a few minutes and Fulton and Fuller even fewer minutes.
Similar situation in 2012-13, with Wheelwright and Bolomboy as the only subs getting real minutes.
Yes, if you go back to 2011-12 you see some depth, but had Bullinger and Otis not gotten hurt, I doubt we would have seen more than two subs getting significant minutes.
Rahe just doesn't seem to like to go with a 9-10 man rotation.

:clap: :clap: I totally agree.