Rahe rolling with 12 scholarship players this year

[brett_hein]

New story http://www.standard.net/Weber-State/2017/08/14/weber-state-basketball-recruiting-bryan-alberts-commit-long-beach-state-gonzaga-transfer.html

Makes sense. No need to carry 6 freshmen and create a crunch next year.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Thanks for reporting on this Brett! Enjoy your stuff, even though I thoroughly disagree with you on the new website, that thing is absolutely confusing and chaotic. It gets worse when you try to look at it on your mobile.

Anyway, this is a bit frustrating. We had a four year guy, who wanted to stay, but goes to Seattle because we supposedly didn't have a spot for him, and another guy leave to walkon at BYU. Both of these guys gives the Cats experience, depth, and are talented players. It would have allowed Randy to red shirt another freshman. Now, we are are going to be playing 4, possibly all 5, of our freshmen this season.

 

[SWeberCat02]

It's beyond stupid that Gittens won't be a Wildcat this season.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

:agree:

 

[oldrunner]

It's beyond stupid that Gittens won't be a Wildcat this season.

I couldn't disagree more. I like Gittens. His athletic ability is outstanding and he can occasionally make spectacular plays. If you could pair his athletic ability with Baker's skill set, you would have a lottery pick in the NBA. The problem he faced was his lesser BB skills and a log jam of experienced players at that position. He was destined to be a senior who didn't make the main rotation. That is not a good scenario for him or the team. He is going to a program that was in total disarray and is being rebuilt by a new coach who was aware of his abilities. He will be in the main rotation there and probably start. Will I miss his high flying act? Sure, but he and our program are better off with him transferring. He gets a new start at a school that pampers their BB players, and we had chances at three players who would have been immediate impact type guys. We didn't land any of them, which sucks, but it was a good gamble and may pay off in November anyway.

 

[brett_hein]

It does stink that Gittens didn't finish at Weber. Good kid, fun player. I'm not sure it was all coaches on that one, because he may not have started as a senior and may not have liked his career to end that way, so I wouldn't begrudge him leaving if that were the case (speculating, of course).

I don't like to pile on college players, but statistically, Cannon regressed last year and there's a reason his playing time disappeared (and is a walk-on somewhere else, not a scholarship player). He had key moments as a frosh but it just wasn't there last year. I'll eat crow if I have to on this, but Ricky Nelson and Trevon Ary-Turner should upgrade from Cannon instantaneously.

I'd be really, really surprised if 4 or 5 freshmen play this year (health aside, of course). If you get any kind of progress from Jordan Dallas, you probably don't see Vialen. You see 1 or both of Nelson/Ary-Turner, plus Kozak in short stints. With Richardson and Baker (plus Chapman as a stretch-4 unlike what Weber has had for a long time), Court would just logjam the guards/wings if you still want plenty of PT for Jerrick Harding (which you do). I'd guess 3 of 5 freshmen see playing time, with Court and Vialen standing to benefit from redshirts the most, in my eyes.

 

[oldrunner]

It does stink that Gittens didn't finish at Weber. Good kid, fun player. I'm not sure it was all coaches on that one, because he may not have started as a senior and may not have liked his career to end that way, so I wouldn't begrudge him leaving if that were the case (speculating, of course).

I don't like to pile on college players, but statistically, Cannon regressed last year and there's a reason his playing time disappeared (and is a walk-on somewhere else, not a scholarship player). He had key moments as a frosh but it just wasn't there last year. I'll eat crow if I have to on this, but Ricky Nelson and Trevon Ary-Turner should upgrade from Cannon instantaneously.

I'd be really, really surprised if 4 or 5 freshmen play this year (health aside, of course). If you get any kind of progress from Jordan Dallas, you probably don't see Vialen. You see 1 or both of Nelson/Ary-Turner, plus Kozak in short stints. With Richardson and Baker (plus Chapman as a stretch-4 unlike what Weber has had for a long time), Court would just logjam the guards/wings if you still want plenty of PT for Jerrick Harding (which you do). I'd guess 3 of 5 freshmen see playing time, with Court and Vialen standing to benefit from redshirts the most, in my eyes.

Well put. A lot hinges on what kind of shape Court is able to attain after returning from his mission. He was a highly skilled wing coming out of HS. I have heard that he has grown a bit while on his mission and that could only help him. However, we still have all of the guys you mentioned to compete for PT on the wing positions.

I watched the guys play a few times this summer. Jordan Dallas was asserting himself in the low post, on O and D. He will be a strong back up for Braxton. Cody John was looking good as well.

 

[UtahPirate]

I don't like to pile on college players, but statistically, Cannon regressed last year and there's a reason his playing time disappeared (and is a walk-on somewhere else, not a scholarship player). He had key moments as a frosh but it just wasn't there last year. I'll eat crow if I have to on this, but Ricky Nelson and Trevon Ary-Turner should upgrade from Cannon instantaneously.

I totally agree with you! So you can put out another fork as I'll join you if you're wrong.

 

[oldrunner]

I'd be really, really surprised if 4 or 5 freshmen play this year (health aside, of course). If you get any kind of progress from Jordan Dallas, you probably don't see Vialen. You see 1 or both of Nelson/Ary-Turner, plus Kozak in short stints. With Richardson and Baker (plus Chapman as a stretch-4 unlike what Weber has had for a long time), Court would just logjam the guards/wings if you still want plenty of PT for Jerrick Harding (which you do). I'd guess 3 of 5 freshmen see playing time, with Court and Vialen standing to benefit from redshirts the most, in my eyes.

Kozak is going to play. He is too good not to get significant playing time. From time to time, we may see Chapman at a wing position, with Braxton and Kozak as front line players. Much of that could depend on matchups. I do know that Brekkott has been working with the guards quite a bit and that can only mean that the coaches want him prepared for playing on the wing more. However, he is one, if not the best, of our good rebounders and that is a valuable skill to locate close to the basket. Kozak is also a top level rebounder. If Kozak was attending HS in the US, it is my opinion that he would have been rated as a four star guy.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Kozak is expected to contribute, if not potentially start. The kid can play. Of course, one never knows how good a player is until they get on campus but, from what has been advertised, he is good.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I'm going to guess at a 2 deep:
PG: Hardingoc/John
SG: Richardson:Baker/John
SF: Chapman:Baker/Court or Ary-Turner
PF: Kozak:Chapman/Dallas
C: Braxtonallas/Vialen

I think Ary-Turner or Riley Court red shirt. Maybe, Vialen depending on Dallas' development, and if Morris can play 2-5 mins and keep the team at high level of competitiveness.

 

[thescout]

Do not see Kozak starting ...5 ppg 6 rebounds, 40% from field on a team that finished 1-6, 15th out of 16 team in Euro under 20 championships B division... Does not translate to starter on this team IMO...my guess is Harding, Richardson, John, Chapman and Braxton....

 

[oldrunner]

Do not see Kozak starting ...5 ppg 6 rebounds, 40% from field on a team that finished 1-6, 15th out of 16 team in Euro under 20 championships B division... Does not translate to starter on this team IMO...my guess is Harding, Richardson, John, Chapman and Braxton....

Those U20 teams are national teams, not club teams. Not far off of what they would send to the Olympics. To be fair, you need to include the minutes per game. If you look at his club team stats it is quite different. I'm not saying that he will start. That will be a competitive situation. However, if they do choose to play Brekkott at 3, then I do think he could start at 4.

My guess would be:

Harding:Nelson/John
John:Ary-Turner/Baker
Richardson:Baker/Chapman/Court
Chapman:Kozak/Dallas
Braxtonallas/Vailen

 

[n.ogdencat]

Scout...nice find. I went to a website that reviewed each of his games. Looks like the Czech Republic kinda laid an egg this past summer. No matter, great experience for a true incoming freshman. I think it is pretty neat and special that a player of his caliber is coming to Weber State. When was the last time Weber State, or any Big Sky school, had a player playing for his national team in a FIBA sponsored tournament? There are a lot of great players coming out of Europe and going directly into the NBA or P5 NCAA Conferences. We lost one earlier to Syracuse. I think we are pretty fortunate to get him. Remember, Brekkot didn't burn up the PAC 12 either, but we are expecting big things from him.

 

[sacstateman]

Harald Frey soph for Montana St...played for Norway U18 in 2014-2015 Lars Espe freshman for Montana...Norway U16 in 2014 and captained the U18 national team in 2015-2016

 

[oldrunner]

Harald Frey soph for Montana St...played for Norway U18 in 2014-2015 Lars Espe freshman for Montana...Norway U16 in 2014 and captained the U18 national team in 2015-2016

Both of those guys are top level point guards for BSC level players. Your guy from down under isn't bad either. Seems like there are a lot of guys like this coming to mid majors, and some to high majors. Coaches have to be aware of all of the resources when recruiting. All recruiting is a gamble.

 

[sacstateman]

Yeah, our guy, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le-afa, who played the entire season last year with plantar fasciitis, played for his national team (New Zealand) but I didn't know if he played in any FIBA sponsored tournaments....I haven't seen Espe yet, but reports are that he can play...

 

[Skippy]

Idaho State's Balint Mocsan led Hungary's U-20 in scoring, averaging 17 Ppg.

 

[sacstateman]

I hadn't thought about him...that makes 2 last year and 2 more, other than Kozak, this year...guess it wasn't so long ago after all....

 

[n.ogdencat]

Well, I stand corrected. I guess there have been some other Big Sky players who have participated with their national teams. HA! Well, that is why we ask the questions, to have them answered. Thanks for the help fellow Sky fans.

All I know is that the coaches are really high on Kozak and feel he can come in and automatically contribute. If he can't, then we know that Chapman can play the 4 and we have plenty of depth at the 2/3.