Tal, in response to your question about what is the problem. The core problem, in my opinion, is two-fold.
1. Randy Rahe is an average coach who cannot "coach-up" his team. In comparison, Abeglen could take a group of average players and win far more games than their talent alone would allow them to win. Randy cannot do this.
2. This team has, overall, very average talent by BSC comparisons, and below average talent by overall Division 1 standards. I watch a lot of basketball and it is easy to see that Weber doesn't have great talent this year. We on this blog usually have higher opinions of Weber's talent than is
justified.
Zach Braxton is a better than average Big Sky center, but probably a bit lower than average
in the whole Division 1 basketball world. I do believe he will get better in next two years.
Quick centers, like Eastern Washington's, eat his lunch. Much better offense than defense.
Jeremy Senlin is probably the best core talent on the team. He is a better than average two
guard in the BSC, but below average as a point. He has glaring weaknesses, and even his
greatest strength (3pt shooting) fails when he is matched up against quick and taller 2's.
Simply put, he is just not as good as we on this blog think he is.
Hill is super-athletic, but has slow response time and a low release point on his shot. He is
far to easy to block. His biggest strength is leaping and blocking shots and he is top-notch in
that limited sphere. But overall, he is well below average by Div 1 standards as a PF. He is
not a talent that can lift a team at critical junctures in games where a lift is needed.
So those guys are the core of the team and they are, at best, average overall by BSC standards. None of them are better than average defenders, even if some can block shots.
Beyond this core there are a bunch of role players Cody John is not a standout point and his shot isn't nearly good enough to rely on as a 2 guard. Even those here who like Cannon understand his weaknesses and limitations. Harding has quickness and is fun to watch. He needs to learn to handle the ball and become a penetrating, scoring & dishing point. If he could master that role he would be exceptional. In his current role he is only a role player. He has to become a point if he is to have a chance to excel. Dusty Baker is another role player. Great shooter when left alone, but teams have figured out that he cannot drive effectively if he is defensed and cannot shoot the 3 effectively if he is not wide open. Not enough athleticism to create on his own. Not big or strong enough to play the 4, where he can score better from but can't defense adequately. Jordan Dallas is still a project and may never be more than that. Richardson is pathetic as a starter. Jut not consistent enough to be relied on as a starter. He should be a back up with limited minutes bringing him in hoping that he will be hot with the 3 pointer to give the team a boost. A quintessential role player, not a starter.
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TALENT ON THIS TEAM TO OVERCOME RANDY'S DEFENCIES AS A COACH!!
