St Katherine

[WSUProf]

A few impressions from last night's first exhibition game.
First, St Katherine was better than expected. They ran a decent offense which gave Weber some trouble in the middle portion of the first half, and they played tough on the defensive end, causing Weber to turn it over too many times - especially in the low post.
Second, Golden has a sweet shot. He will be a real threat from the 3 this season.
Third, Weber's bench needs to develop. I'm still impressed with Hunter, but after that not much so far. Was nice to see Richardson, Jefferson, and Braxton get some floor time in the second half.
Fourth, on the Braxton red-shirting debate - I'm not convinced that it makes good sense to have him red shirt this year. I can see him developing into someone who can contribute some points off the bench for us this year. Clearly, he's down the list of reserves from the coaches' standpoint, as he was the last of 5 bench players to get in.

 

[Itiger]

A few impressions from last night's first exhibition game.
First, St Katherine was better than expected. They ran a decent offense which gave Weber some trouble in the middle portion of the first half, and they played tough on the defensive end, causing Weber to turn it over too many times - especially in the low post.
Second, Golden has a sweet shot. He will be a real threat from the 3 this season.
Third, Weber's bench needs to develop. I'm still impressed with Hunter, but after that not much so far. Was nice to see Richardson, Jefferson, and Braxton get some floor time in the second half.
Fourth, on the Braxton red-shirting debate - I'm not convinced that it makes good sense to have him red shirt this year. I can see him developing into someone who can contribute some points off the bench for us this year. Clearly, he's down the list of reserves from the coaches' standpoint, as he was the last of 5 bench players to get in.

It would be crazy for Braxton to waste of year of eligibility on hopes of being used as a late reserve. I hate to say it, but this might end in a transfer. I'm sure we all wonder why he didn't get more minutes last night and don't think for one minute that other programs don't scout our exhibition games. He has to also know that we have more players than scholarships. It looked like based on playing time that he and Ryan are the two scholarships that Rahe needs for next year. I'm sorry, but I think he's gone! I'm not sure what's going on....... I see him around campus and he's a good guy...... See him on the court and he plays hard, but it's obvious he's in someone's dog house. I also feel bad for Ryan, not even a minute when you're up 20 in and exhibition game is not a good sign.

 

[Da Bears]

This might be one where we need to trust Randy. I was hoping to see more last night and have to admit I think Braxton brings more than Coston and Hajek...... But we're not the coach. I hope he doesn't transfer, but doesn't seem like the kind of athlete content to ride the bench. When he's in he looks good.... Very good, but he got nothing but garbage time minutes last night.

 

[WSUProf]

younguns, I wouldn't get too concerned that because Braxton was 5th off the bench last night that means the coaches are looking to drop him next year. It may simply mean that at this time they don't see him ahead of Hajek, and they want Hajek to get minutes. I haven't spoken with any of the coaches about Braxton's future at WSU, but I'd be stunned if they were not thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 (or 4) years.

 

[Itiger]

younguns, I wouldn't get too concerned that because Braxton was 5th off the bench last night that means the coaches are looking to drop him next year. It may simply mean that at this time they don't see him ahead of Hajek, and they want Hajek to get minutes. I haven't spoken with any of the coaches about Braxton's future at WSU, but I'd be stunned if they were thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 (or 4) years.

So why would they want him around if they're not thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 or 4 years? He's not going to be happy sitting on the bench and would become a distraction. The guy is a 3 star player with other offers. Seems weird to bring him here. He's already outscored Hajek in each opportunity. Lots less fouls too!

 

[n.ogdencat]

Braxton's going to transfer because he got 5mins in an exhibition game? He is a freshman. Everything he did in high school is past. He is at a new level. He has to earn his time and chances. If he wants to pack it up and quit that's his decision. Personally, I think he has a little more pride and workmanship than that. You take what you get and make the most of it. Hell, bloom where you are planted. Rahe is going to do what is best for the team and the program. Zach has to give himself time. Worst mistake he could make is to pack it up because of immature feelings of greatness. To me, I think by conference he'll be better than Hajek. But does Hajek deserve the chance to prove himself now? Yes...he does. 5th year SR.; especially if Zach hasn't proven to be better yet. Doesn't mean he won't contribute in the future. Time to grow up and realize, new place means you are starting over. Time and development... He needs to give himself those things.

Richardson did play too.

 

[n.ogdencat]

younguns, I wouldn't get too concerned that because Braxton was 5th off the bench last night that means the coaches are looking to drop him next year. It may simply mean that at this time they don't see him ahead of Hajek, and they want Hajek to get minutes. I haven't spoken with any of the coaches about Braxton's future at WSU, but I'd be stunned if they were thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 (or 4) years.

So why would they want him around if they're not thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 or 4 years? He's not going to be happy sitting on the bench and would become a distraction. The guy is a 3 star player with other offers. Seems weird to bring him here. He's already outscored Hajek in each opportunity. Lots less fouls too!

yes...evidently because of 5 mins that's proof of the coaches intentions for the next five years! Seriously?? He is behind a guy on the draft board and a 5th year senior. He is going to be a major contributor. The sky's not falling guns. You need to chill a bit.

 

[Da Bears]

Braxton's going to transfer because he got 5mins in an exhibition game? He is a freshman. Everything he did in high school is past. He is at a new level. He has to earn his time and chances. If he wants to pack it up and quit that's his decision. Personally, I think he has a little more pride and workmanship than that. You take what you get and make the most of it. Hell, bloom where you are planted. Rahe is going to do what is best for the team and the program. Zach has to give himself time. Worst mistake he could make is to pack it up because of immature feelings of greatness. To me, I think by conference he'll be better than Hajek. But does Hajek deserve the chance to prove himself now? Yes...he does. 5th year SR.; especially if Zach hasn't proven to be better yet. Doesn't mean he won't contribute in the future. Time to grow up and realize, new place means you are starting over. Time and development... He needs to give himself those things.

Richardson did play too.

I disagree Tal! Seniority means nothing in college basketball! It's about can you play! So far from what I seen I think he can! Players don't go to a program to sit and wait! Not if you're good enough to play now! This isn't church league! I'd be disappointed if he was ok sitting behind and waiting his turn. That's not the mentality you expect is it?

 

[sacstateman]

I can't resist this.....what happened to holding St. Katherines under 20 pts???? You acutally beat them by 5 from the floor (18 from the line). They must do NBA player's hair. 85 students...15 players...got to stir the pot

 

[catscratched]

Youngguns; you are sooooo wrong on sooooo many levels. If they do red shirt Braxton, it is because they do have big plans for him, not the way you state it. Also, talking the way you do is very concerning to everyone connected to the program. It's one thing to speculate about red shirting. It's entirely another to start espousing that a transfer is in line. You are doing a disservice to the kids in the program and exposing yourself as ignorant of the situation. :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

 

[oldrunner]

sacstatesman;

This St Katherine's team is not the same bunch we played last year. They are much, much more competitive. I was not expecting what I saw. :yikes:

 

[WSUProf]

younguns, I wouldn't get too concerned that because Braxton was 5th off the bench last night that means the coaches are looking to drop him next year. It may simply mean that at this time they don't see him ahead of Hajek, and they want Hajek to get minutes. I haven't spoken with any of the coaches about Braxton's future at WSU, but I'd be stunned if they were thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 (or 4) years.

So why would they want him around if they're not thinking of him playing a prominent role over the next 3 or 4 years? He's not going to be happy sitting on the bench and would become a distraction. The guy is a 3 star player with other offers. Seems weird to bring him here. He's already outscored Hajek in each opportunity. Lots less fouls too!

Sorry, a typo. I meant to write "I'd be stunned if they were NOT thinking of him playing a prominent role ..."

 

[WeberSki]

2 cents on Braxton issue, Number one, Hajek looks awful, & I'm not just talking his hair. (It needs to go, he looks like he's from the backwoods of Idaho) its embarrassing to see his mullet flapping when he's over shooting the rim and barely hits glass against St. Katherine bigs of all bigs, bricking free throws like he's never held a ball before. Panos looked All-American his Senior year compared to Hajek after 5.

Braxton still looks out of shape to me, but the potential is there for sure. Hopefully he takes every one of Hajek's minutes as the season moves along. Surprising to see him last off the bench, especially when Hajek looks so bad.

Golden is a mix of Bamforth & Berry. He will be our leading scorer, our go to. Besides his 3 point shooting, what I love his mid range game. I think Senglin and Golden will pose a very dangerous duo for the Big Sky to deal with. I think Johnson Coston will play a significant role as he gets more comfortable with the system.

 

[Itiger]

Youngguns; you are sooooo wrong on sooooo many levels. If they do red shirt Braxton, it is because they do have big plans for him, not the way you state it. Also, talking the way you do is very concerning to everyone connected to the program. It's one thing to speculate about red shirting. It's entirely another to start espousing that a transfer is in line. You are doing a disservice to the kids in the program and exposing yourself as ignorant of the situation. :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

I'm here everyday and know the situation! It's funny you guys think good players should just wait their turn! They want the chance to compete!!!! If they get beat out that's one thing and they'll work harder to win, but putting a highly recruited player in for 4 minutes of garbage time isn't a chance to compete! I hope he stays, but thought last night the program embarrassed him. More so after watching what players with more playing time did on the court! Don't play him because we have better players, not because he's only a freshman. I wonder if our new recruits know it's about senority.

 

[sacstateman]

sacstatesman;

This St Katherine's team is not the same bunch we played last year. They are much, much more competitive. I was not expecting what I saw. :yikes:

Oldrunner, after we play our first exhibition game on Tuesday you can and probably will be giving me the cattle prod but I'm not going to make your job easier by making any predictions. I'll play it safe and hope we get a W......

 

[PURPLEFORLIFE]

Youngguns; you are sooooo wrong on sooooo many levels. If they do red shirt Braxton, it is because they do have big plans for him, not the way you state it. Also, talking the way you do is very concerning to everyone connected to the program. It's one thing to speculate about red shirting. It's entirely another to start espousing that a transfer is in line. You are doing a disservice to the kids in the program and exposing yourself as ignorant of the situation. :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

I'm here everyday and know the situation! It's funny you guys think good players should just wait their turn! They want the chance to compete!!!! If they get beat out that's one thing and they'll work harder to win, but putting a highly recruited player in for 4 minutes of garbage time isn't a chance to compete! I hope he stays, but thought last night the program embarrassed him. More so after watching what players with more playing time did on the court! Don't play him because we have better players, not because he's only a freshman. I wonder if our new recruits know it's about senority.

You are there everyday? You know the situation? What are you a team manager or that idiot work-study who hangs around thinking he is tight with all the players? I heard you couldn't even get a shirt for the black out game that is how little athletics thinks of you. Stop acting like you are in the know. You are embarrassing yourself.

 

[RunnerJoe]

For people to think that Braxton is going to transfer after only playing a few minutes in an exhibition game is wrong. If he were to transfer, I would think that it would be for different reasons such as home sickness or family issues.
Our people forgetting he is just a freshman. Yes, he was a three star recruit but that shouldn't warrant him any more minutes than anyone else on the team. As the season goes on, I think he will be play a bigger role.

 

[WeberSki]

Youngguns; you are sooooo wrong on sooooo many levels. If they do red shirt Braxton, it is because they do have big plans for him, not the way you state it. Also, talking the way you do is very concerning to everyone connected to the program. It's one thing to speculate about red shirting. It's entirely another to start espousing that a transfer is in line. You are doing a disservice to the kids in the program and exposing yourself as ignorant of the situation. :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

I'm here everyday and know the situation! It's funny you guys think good players should just wait their turn! They want the chance to compete!!!! If they get beat out that's one thing and they'll work harder to win, but putting a highly recruited player in for 4 minutes of garbage time isn't a chance to compete! I hope he stays, but thought last night the program embarrassed him. More so after watching what players with more playing time did on the court! Don't play him because we have better players, not because he's only a freshman. I wonder if our new recruits know it's about senority.

Wow, you sound every bit of 18 years old. If you are not allowed to drink under State Law, or would struggle to qualify for a $3,000 Auto Loan, you should post on the Football forum only. I'm sure SWeber could use a friend over there to help him break down the new recruits.

 

[Back2WSU]

I'm just going to add a little more to this Braxton discussion...

So this popped up in my news feed: http://www.wsusignpost.com/2014/11/02/wsu-mens-basketball-kicks-off-season-with-exhibition-win/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looking through the story, saw this quote.

“I got the chance to look at a whole lot of different combinations tonight, which is what I really wanted to do,” Rahe said. “We had Kyndahl Hill playing the (small forward position) and the (power forward position). We had some young guys playing with older guys, we had some young guys playing with young guys. It was my plan going in to kind of script who we were going to sub and how we were going to sub. Now we can look at some things and see what matchups we like and who plays better.”

Seems to me like Rahe had an idea of how he wanted the game to go in terms of guys getting onto the court.

Also, hearing this secondhand from somebody I know, a) Rahe supposedly likes Braxton, and thinks he has a good future in store here and b) Braxton may have had less time in the game because supposedly Rahe wanted to build up a lead before he sent in a bunch of his freshmen.

That's just what I've seen/heard

 

[Itiger]

Youngguns; you are sooooo wrong on sooooo many levels. If they do red shirt Braxton, it is because they do have big plans for him, not the way you state it. Also, talking the way you do is very concerning to everyone connected to the program. It's one thing to speculate about red shirting. It's entirely another to start espousing that a transfer is in line. You are doing a disservice to the kids in the program and exposing yourself as ignorant of the situation. :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

I'm here everyday and know the situation! It's funny you guys think good players should just wait their turn! They want the chance to compete!!!! If they get beat out that's one thing and they'll work harder to win, but putting a highly recruited player in for 4 minutes of garbage time isn't a chance to compete! I hope he stays, but thought last night the program embarrassed him. More so after watching what players with more playing time did on the court! Don't play him because we have better players, not because he's only a freshman. I wonder if our new recruits know it's about senority.

Wow, you sound every bit of 18 years old. If you are not allowed to drink under State Law, or would struggle to qualify for a $3,000 Auto Loan, you should post on the Football forum only. I'm sure SWeber could use a friend over there to help him break down the new recruits.

Wow! Take your shots as you force down your geritol and high blood pressure medication, but if we ever hope to do better than making the big dance it's got to be a different approach to the future. Now turn off your Lawrence Welk and call it a day!!! :lol: :shocking: