Montana State

[oldrunner]

I watched them play against Montana, but that is the only game of theirs that I have seen. They look to me like a guard dominated team. They have some guards who can get to the rim and they have some who can shoot well from the 3 point line. They hurt Montana with both of those things. Montana beat them by making fewer mistakes and taking fewer wild shots. Looks to me like if you can force them to take contested mid range shots, limit their drives to the rim, and not allow their shooters to have open looks from 3, you have the formula for beating this team.

I think we can count on being without Joel and that may effect how we defend the driving guards. The shooting guards are just going to take vigilance on everyone's part.

I think that we win this game, but everybody will have to lock in, step up and get it done.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Well...we are down to two legitimate bigs. A lot of really weird things have happened this past year in relation to our bigs. First, Emmanuel Nzekwesi isn't eligible (I still have a really hard time with him going to Oral Roberts. Isn't that a school that is suppose to be honest? He isn't eligible still and they are going to try to cheat the system.), Van Pelt and Johnson-Coston both transfer, and Hajek graduated. Yes, the Cats were able to get Kiko, but before he can even get comfortable playing in our system he breaks his leg and is out for the season. Randy decides to keep Jordan Dallas' red shirt on (in my opinion a wise decision) and now Joel is injured and we have no idea how long he will be out. So, effectively, that leaves us with Hill and Braxton. I know Juwan Williams has been playing 4 and doing quite well at it, but he was recruited to be a wing and will play the 3 the rest of his career. Randy did use Baker as a four quite a bit on Saturday, but is that really something we want to see continue? It looked really funny seeing Dusty in the middle.

There isn't much else Randy can do. Braxton and Hill get into foul trouble and we are sunk. If he is smart Randy should play zone a lot more. A zone would work best against the bobs offense anyway. Limit their ability to drive, force them to take outside shots, and to pass. They aren't, from what I know, the best passing team. I know they like to take a lot of threes, so play the 1-3-1 and force them to make 3's in the corners.

I'm fairly certain that Joel will not be able to play on Thursday night; unless a miracle happens, and because of that you have 2 traditional bigs available. We desperately need Zach to find his offense and for Hill to keep playing at a high level. We also need both to give us 30min nights. No cheap fouls. Juwan can come in and play a solid 20mins and if not a full 20, Dusty probably can give us 5-10 as a 4 (YIKES). To me though, the best way to slow down the bobs, keep them out of their offensive comfort zone, and to throw them off a bit, is to mix in a lot of zone looks throughout the night. WE all know Randy isn't going to abandon his man defense, and I don't think he totally should. I just think it would be wise to play more zone to give the 2 bigs you do have a chance of playing more mins.

 

[WILDCAT]

MSU has no real inside post threat, but MSU gave Bruenig (sp?) fits. They play a lot of one on one offensively and at least in the game vs UM didn't get many second chance points. Huge opportunity to get defensive rebounds, but we are gonna have to play good perimiter defense, Bobcats shoot a lot from outside and their success hinges upon that

We will see what happens

GO WILDCATS

 

[WSUProf]

I'm sure at some point Weber will go to "small ball" like they did against NAU with Hill and 4 guards/wing players. I actually liked how that worked for them. Plus, I'm sure they will be working more on it this week.

 

[oldrunner]

I'm sure at some point Weber will go to "small ball" like they did against NAU with Hill and 4 guards/wing players. I actually liked how that worked for them. Plus, I'm sure they will be working more on it this week.

I think that you are right about that. Zack's minutes will go up, if he can stay out of foul trouble. Hill is going to get starter minutes. Williams will get close to starter minutes. Dusty is going to get minutes at the 4 spot. I think we might even get to see Jefferson if there is any foul trouble on the guard line. To win this game, it is truly going to be a team effort.

 

[Geo-Guy15]

I think in order to win this game Senglin will need to have a good game on both sides of the ball. I'm worried about Joel being gone as he is such a good rim protector/rebounder. Hoping that Braxton and Hill can step it up. I think the biggest challenge of this game will be the defensive adjustments that will have to made with Bolomboy's absence.

 

[oldrunner]

MSU has a future pro player in their freshman guard. He can score at a high level. I'm not sure how he defends, but he can score and he is long. He and their senior point guard will have our full attention. This may well be the best team at MSU in quite a while. We need to play at a high level. I think that we will. :thumb:

 

[weberwildcat]

If Joel is out this week we could lose both games but it has no affect on Reno. So this is good for Rahe. He can do what is best for Joel and preserve him assuming he isn't out long term. Normally Rahe would need his best player even injured for the Montanas.

Big Sky is now like EPL, just get top 4. But too bad suu, sac and Isu can't get demoted to d2 hoops.

 

[WILDCAT]

If Joel is out this week we could lose both games but it has no affect on Reno. So this is good for Rahe. He can do what is best for Joel and preserve him assuming he isn't out long term. Normally Rahe would need his best player even injured for the Montanas.

Big Sky is now like EPL, just get top 4. But too bad suu, sac and Isu can't get demoted to d2 hoops.

Idaho State is in 4th place.......

 

[oldrunner]

ISU has been playing quite well at home this year. I have a feeling that they will take Montana down tonight. That should help us in our Saturday game, to have had UM taken to the matt.

Playing without Joel for one or two games could be a positive thing for us. It puts a little pressure on the rest of the guys to lock in and play with more purpose. I expect that we will step up to the challenge. I'm excited to see what we will do. I don't expect huge changes, but I do expect changes in how we defend. It may be a little more zone or other ways of handling ball screens, but I think we will see some changes. Rebounding is going to be more of a team thing. Everyone should shoot for just a few more, everyone! :rockon:

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

With first-place showdown looming, Weber State not overlooking Bobcats
http://skylinesportsmt.com/with-first-place-showdown-looming-weber-not-overlooking-bobcats/

 

[weberwildcat]

If Joel is out this week we could lose both games but it has no affect on Reno. So this is good for Rahe. He can do what is best for Joel and preserve him assuming he isn't out long term. Normally Rahe would need his best player even injured for the Montanas.

Big Sky is now like EPL, just get top 4. But too bad suu, sac and Isu can't get demoted to d2 hoops.

Idaho State is in 4th place.......

not if sky was like epl, they wouldn't even be in the standings. :lol: i wasnt really meaning to single out the bengals. i honestly wish they could be top 2 like us and griz typically are.

i dont want to lose to msu or um at home, i dont want to lose to anyone at home. but its interesting to realize these remaining games have no meaning or impact on the bsct. when was the last time games didn't matter after feb 20? oh....thats right, never. not even 1969 or 2003.

 

[WILDCAT]

If Joel is out this week we could lose both games but it has no affect on Reno. So this is good for Rahe. He can do what is best for Joel and preserve him assuming he isn't out long term. Normally Rahe would need his best player even injured for the Montanas.

Big Sky is now like EPL, just get top 4. But too bad suu, sac and Isu can't get demoted to d2 hoops.

Idaho State is in 4th place.......

not if sky was like epl, they wouldn't even be in the standings. :lol: i wasnt really meaning to single out the bengals. i honestly wish they could be top 2 like us and griz typically are.

i dont want to lose to msu or um at home, i dont want to lose to anyone at home. but its interesting to realize these remaining games have no meaning or impact on the bsct. when was the last time games didn't matter after feb 20? oh....thats right, never. not even 1969 or 2003.

One of the reasons I despise this whole move to a neutral site and an all 12 team tournament, there is nothing to fight for, no reward

 

[ajwildcat]

Aside form this game not having much meaning in the tourney picture, I see Weber winning by 10 or so. Make your foul shots, go inside to Hill & Braxton, and play good team D.
Go Wildcats!!

 

[oldrunner]

Our outside shooting and free throws were really bad tonight. It was a good thing we had the inside games of Braxton and Hill. Our D was good in the second half. That Hall kid is going to be good in our league, until he turns pro, I'm guessing prior to his senior year. That kid can play. If they had a couple of good bigs, they would be at the top of the Sky. Too bad they lose their point guard for next year. He makes that team go. They could make some noise in Reno. :twocents:

 

[wildkyle]

I heard at the game that Joel could have played tonight if needed. I also heard he will play on Saturday. One of the ushers told me that.

 

[WILDCAT]

Great crowd last night, and student section, I think the crowd was huge in giving the Cats (of the Wild variety) some much needed energy, Kyndahl's block got the place rocking and man what a sweet block it was.

Horrible shooting night again from 3 (4-20) and the free (10-23), Senglin needs to shake off this freethrow funk he is on. We can't have him going 1-7 on a nightly basis, was also one of his worse 3 point shooting nights, not like him. But I'm sure it won't last and he will be back to draining the threes when the Griz are in town, we will need that. GriZ are very good 3 point shooting team. Weber cannot afford to start off bad against the Griz like they did last night.

GO WEBER

 

[WSUProf]

other than the first 5 minutes, I thought Weber played a real good game. Gave up 14 points in those first five. Defense really locked down after that. Gittens' play off the bench was a big reason, I think. Second half was one of Braxton's best of the year.
Senglin's confidence from the foul line is just gone. He was a 75% shooter from the line in his first two seasons. Hopefully he can get it back.

 

[Tomcat]

I think the question of this team stepping up without Bolomboy has been answered,I know some will say the quality of opponent wasn't there but if they shoot a little better and hit them damn free throws I believe they will be fine sat if without Joel.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Love Jeremy Senglin. He kept the Cats in it with some acrobatic layups in the first half, but his free throw shooting is head scratching. 1-7...it is almost to the point that you don't want him in the game at the end because you can't count on him to hit his freebies. Heavens, he almost air-balled the first of three in the second half and he shot a lot of 3's that he shouldn't have. He was pushing it a bit at times.

Hill and Braxton were men possessed!! Hill had an absolutely awesome game, once he settled down and I loved watching Braxton go to town. He had a whale of a game. Gitten's defense was solid and he had some really nice drives. His outside shot wasn't falling, but then again, nobody's was. Imagine if he would have hit 1 or 2? I love the energy he brings to the floor and his passion. He is always trying to get the crowd jazzed. CROWD? It was big, but somewhat quite. I don't understand why they do the "baby-cam" with 5 to go and the Cats holding onto a 3 point lead. YES...lets kill the excitement and the crowd's energy. At that point, you need good music to keep the crowd in the game. Game atmosphere is really weird. Improving, but still really weird. Lastly, I have to say this, I'm really pissed that the usher's told the football team to sit down. Uh...Section A is a student section. Finally, we have a decent student crowd and the ushers/cops are telling STUDENTS to sit down in their section so that blue hairs can see. Uh...check their tickets to see if they should be sitting there or not. I'm pretty sure most of the folks complaining about the team standing don't actually have tickets in that section.

To me, however, I really think that Baker was the unsung hero last night. They guy had some huge plays. He made some solid passes, huge rebounds, and scored points when we needed them. Loved his rebound at the end of the game. I was shocked he didn't get whistled for a foul on the play, but his toughness was stellar.