Starting Five!

[Itiger]

Doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, right? Coaches have not really tried anything different all year long. Seems to me like a change might give some players who think they are doing well enough a kick in the a$$.

What would you change? Only person capable off the bench is Richardson. The talent isn't available to make changes. Hajek is limited, I think we've maximized his potential. VanPelt isn't going to be able to help much and the word on Hunter is he's afraid to shoot. Coston is maybe 6'4" and trying to play the 4 position. We don't have a savior on the bench. The team is improving and has played two better than ok games in a row! They're coming together and besides a couple of lapses are moving in the right direction.

I'm feeling better about the remainder of the season. :thumb:

 

[WSUfan4ever]

Doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, right? Coaches have not really tried anything different all year long. Seems to me like a change might give some players who think they are doing well enough a kick in the a$$.

What would you change? Only person capable off the bench is Richardson. The talent isn't available to make changes. Hajek is limited, I think we've maximized his potential. VanPelt isn't going to be able to help much and the word on Hunter is he's afraid to shoot. Coston is maybe 6'4" and trying to play the 4 position. We don't have a savior on the bench. The team is improving and has played two better than ok games in a row! They're coming together and besides a couple of lapses are moving in the right direction.

I'm feeling better about the remainder of the season. :thumb:

Richardson would be a start. There have been a lot of good suggestions on this board about mixing up defenses, etc. I would say one better than OK game. The team needs toughness and coaching style might also need to be looked at.

 

[UtahPirate]

The team is improving and has played two better than ok games in a row! They're coming together and besides a couple of lapses are moving in the right direction.

Some interesting angst on the board right now.

Starting on the road against EWU and Idaho was a tough assignment. Mistakes were made, but I agree with youngguns, the team is beginning to get better. Assists are way up since the first of the season and I think it's a trend that will continue. Defense is sketchy and I've long thought we should employ more zone -- but Rahe loves man-to-man and I've seen this with his teams before. They do get better at it. Inside play is a concern, but I think this is the one frustration that will linger this season.

The next 6 are interesting. I expect to defend the Dee and then if we play as well as we did this weekend at NoArizona, we might be able to get our first real road win of the season. Coming back, the Sac St game looks really interesting. A win in that game puts us in pretty good position. Despite the two losses, I have to think the team's attitude is on the serious upswing.

 

[Midmajor??]

Bolomboy is a frustrating ball handler. Every time he touches the ball I cringe. He can shot but cant play with his back towards the basket. Who is Weber's big man coach?

Big man coach is Duft, right? I guess you have to really wonder at this point.

You can only Coach a player so much..... It's clear that with Joel it's more mental than a skillset! Have to keep working with him, but he's playing out of position. Bolomboy and Hill are being asked to do more than they're capable. Joel wants to be a 4 and Hill a 3, but aren't playing at those spots. EWU did a great job of taking them out of their comfort Zone! The EWU big was dominant...... Until he played against a more traditional big in Hajek!

Rahe is asking a ton out of them, but not running a defense to mask their weaknesses.

 

[Junctioncat]

Joel has been developing a lot since he first arrived at Weber. His freshman year he pulled down rebounds, that is all. I'm not sure he could even dribble the ball that year. Last year, he started putting up double-doubles consistently. This year he has added a three point shot.

Teams are just double teaming him this year, and he will figure out how to pass out of it. That's not rocket science. If our guards keep draining threes, teams will have to stop keying on him so much and we'll see better offensive production from him.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Joel has been developing a lot since he first arrived at Weber. His freshman year he pulled down rebounds, that is all. I'm not sure he could even dribble the ball that year. Last year, he started putting up double-doubles consistently. This year he has added a three point shot.

Teams are just double teaming him this year, and he will figure out how to pass out of it. That's not rocket science. If our guards keep draining threes, teams will have to stop keying on him so much and we'll see better offensive production from him.

Agreed...

In the past, Joel hasn't been the main guy and hasn't had so much expected of him. Also, he has had another big to take pressure off of him. Now he is the main guy and our best offensive production in the middle. There is a lot more pressure on him to succeed. But, as has been stated, he is having a solid year. His defense is soft though and that might be because he doesn't have a lot of fouls available to give. Weber can't afford to have Joel in foul trouble.

 

[oldrunner]

Joel has been developing a lot since he first arrived at Weber. His freshman year he pulled down rebounds, that is all. I'm not sure he could even dribble the ball that year. Last year, he started putting up double-doubles consistently. This year he has added a three point shot.

Teams are just double teaming him this year, and he will figure out how to pass out of it. That's not rocket science. If our guards keep draining threes, teams will have to stop keying on him so much and we'll see better offensive production from him.

Agreed...

In the past, Joel hasn't been the main guy and hasn't had so much expected of him. Also, he has had another big to take pressure off of him. Now he is the main guy and our best offensive production in the middle. There is a lot more pressure on him to succeed. But, as has been stated, he is having a solid year. His defense is soft though and that might be because he doesn't have a lot of fouls available to give. Weber can't afford to have Joel in foul trouble.

That is exactly why you would need James to get a lot of minutes. I don't care if he fouls out of every game. We need him to lay down the law in the paint. That will free up Joel to go after blocks and rebounds. We need to get a lot more D and rebounding out of Hill as well. The front court of Bolomboy, Hill, and Gittens is just too soft, and we don't get much more out of Coston. He is a little tougher, but too small to do much damage.

 

[Itiger]

I've been on this forum too long when I find myself agreeing with Olds! But he hit the nail on the head! The 3 starters in the front court are too soft! Need someone in there to make it tougher!

 

[Webergrad02]

Joel has been developing a lot since he first arrived at Weber. His freshman year he pulled down rebounds, that is all. I'm not sure he could even dribble the ball that year. Last year, he started putting up double-doubles consistently. This year he has added a three point shot.

Teams are just double teaming him this year, and he will figure out how to pass out of it. That's not rocket science. If our guards keep draining threes, teams will have to stop keying on him so much and we'll see better offensive production from him.

Agreed...

In the past, Joel hasn't been the main guy and hasn't had so much expected of him. Also, he has had another big to take pressure off of him. Now he is the main guy and our best offensive production in the middle. There is a lot more pressure on him to succeed. But, as has been stated, he is having a solid year. His defense is soft though and that might be because he doesn't have a lot of fouls available to give. Weber can't afford to have Joel in foul trouble.

That is exactly why you would need James to get a lot of minutes. I don't care if he fouls out of every game. We need him to lay down the law in the paint. That will free up Joel to go after blocks and rebounds. We need to get a lot more D and rebounding out of Hill as well. The front court of Bolomboy, Hill, and Gittens is just too soft, and we don't get much more out of Coston. He is a little tougher, but too small to do much damage.

Johnson-Coston is a wasted scholarship to me. He is too small to contribute at this level. I wish Braxton was getting the minutes we have been giving to him. We hardly even played him last game. We need depth in the post. (We actually need it everywhere)

 

[WSUfan4ever]

I totally agree with the posts regarding our front court being soft. I just wish everyone would quit talking about Braxton like he was the second coming of Karl Malone. I said this last summer and no one agreed with me but he is still a freshman and has yet to play one minute of college ball. How many people picked Richardson to look the best of all our freshman last summer ... no one. The fact is there is a huge difference between HS ... college practice ... and college game!!! Am I excited about Braxton ... OF COURSE, but he will probably have a learning curve just like all the other freshman. I can promise you that. For now, he is not on the roster this year and next year we will see what he can do. Until then let's send James out there on a mission to not finish a game with fewer than 4 fouls. I still believe Van Pelt can deliver some fouls and toughness if needed. Let's give him a chance.

Youngguns keeps asking what we could do different, toughen up in the paint is another thing. Even if we only did that for a few minutes every now and then it would make teams think twice. Right now our opponents think that is where they should come to get pop corn and have a party.

 

[Back2WSU]

I totally agree with the posts regarding our front court being soft. I just wish everyone would quit talking about Braxton like he was the second coming of Karl Malone. I said this last summer and no one agreed with me but he is still a freshman and has yet to play one minute of college ball. How many people picked Richardson to look the best of all our freshman last summer ... no one. The fact is there is a huge difference between HS ... college practice ... and college game!!! Am I excited about Braxton ... OF COURSE, but he will probably have a learning curve just like all the other freshman. I can promise you that. For now, he is not on the roster this year and next year we will see what he can do. Until then let's send James out there on a mission to not finish a game with fewer than 4 fouls. I still believe Van Pelt can deliver some fouls and toughness if needed. Let's give him a chance.

Youngguns keeps asking what we could do different, toughen up in the paint is another thing. Even if we only did that for a few minutes every now and then it would make teams think twice. Right now our opponents think that is where they should come to get pop corn and have a party.

Thank Christ! Someone who is finally rational about Braxton...

 

[n.ogdencat]

Braxton will be a good player for the Cats. That is going to happen, but it doesn't help focusing on him this season. Best thing he can do now is find toughness, learn the offense, learn how to defend college bigs, and get stronger. That is what he can do to help us now. As for our other Bigs...I almost think that Rahe saw Pelt as automatic scout team this season. Almost like he if had one, he would have been red shirted. I am getting more and more despondent about losing Fuller and Williams. I don't understand why we push out two players who understood the offense and were decent role players for two unproven JCs. Ugh...

 

[Itiger]

I totally agree with the posts regarding our front court being soft. I just wish everyone would quit talking about Braxton like he was the second coming of Karl Malone. I said this last summer and no one agreed with me but he is still a freshman and has yet to play one minute of college ball. How many people picked Richardson to look the best of all our freshman last summer ... no one. The fact is there is a huge difference between HS ... college practice ... and college game!!! Am I excited about Braxton ... OF COURSE, but he will probably have a learning curve just like all the other freshman. I can promise you that. For now, he is not on the roster this year and next year we will see what he can do. Until then let's send James out there on a mission to not finish a game with fewer than 4 fouls. I still believe Van Pelt can deliver some fouls and toughness if needed. Let's give him a chance.

Youngguns keeps asking what we could do different, toughen up in the paint is another thing. Even if we only did that for a few minutes every now and then it would make teams think twice. Right now our opponents think that is where they should come to get pop corn and have a party.

Thank Christ! Someone who is finally rational about Braxton...

I moved on from Braxton two months ago! Not because I don't beleive that he could help us, but because he and the coaches made the decision to redshirt! You're 100% right that until he gets on the court, we don't have a clue what his contribution is going to be. Can't deny that we could use a big body banging in there. But we have to play with the players on the roster. I apologize, but Hajek's contribution needs to be a lot more than hard fouls..... But we desperately could use the hard fouls. Why isn't Vanpelt even getting a shot?

 

[WSUfan4ever]

I totally agree with the posts regarding our front court being soft. I just wish everyone would quit talking about Braxton like he was the second coming of Karl Malone. I said this last summer and no one agreed with me but he is still a freshman and has yet to play one minute of college ball. How many people picked Richardson to look the best of all our freshman last summer ... no one. The fact is there is a huge difference between HS ... college practice ... and college game!!! Am I excited about Braxton ... OF COURSE, but he will probably have a learning curve just like all the other freshman. I can promise you that. For now, he is not on the roster this year and next year we will see what he can do. Until then let's send James out there on a mission to not finish a game with fewer than 4 fouls. I still believe Van Pelt can deliver some fouls and toughness if needed. Let's give him a chance.

Youngguns keeps asking what we could do different, toughen up in the paint is another thing. Even if we only did that for a few minutes every now and then it would make teams think twice. Right now our opponents think that is where they should come to get pop corn and have a party.

Thank Christ! Someone who is finally rational about Braxton...

I moved on from Braxton two months ago! Not because I don't beleive that he could help us, but because he and the coaches made the decision to redshirt! You're 100% right that until he gets on the court, we don't have a clue what his contribution is going to be. Can't deny that we could use a big body banging in there. But we have to play with the players on the roster. I apologize, but Hajek's contribution needs to be a lot more than hard fouls..... But we desperately could use the hard fouls. Why isn't Vanpelt even getting a shot?

I totally agree that Hayek is limited in what he can do. But I really wonder if the coaches tell him what his value is and what to focus on in games? When he is in it totally changes the dynamic of what Joel and Hill do. We played that starting five for a little while and I thought it had potential and then we went right back to Golden. Sounds like you have played ball before and players learning new positions is a big deal. I am sure many people on this board have played basketball, perhaps some at the collegiate level. I quite honestly think we have many of the players a little confused. I think the effort is there and they intend to play at the highest level.

Not sure what to say about Van Pelt. My personal feeling is that had we given him the minutes that Coston has had so far this season he would be doing no worse, and probably better. On a per minute basis Coston is rebounding more like a guard than a big. Goldon and Coston are the only players receiving significant minutes that are shooting under 40%. I don't count Hunter because he has not shot enough shots. Richardson is leading the team at 53% and he has only played 85 minutes all year. On the other hand, you might be right that we are probably better off with Coston at this point because we have invested so much time into him. What you see is what you get ... for the rest of this year and next, with a little bit of upside.

 

[Webergrad02]

How does a 6'3 power forward in Division 1 have any upside?

 

[Midmajor??]

Coston is a decent player, but he's playing out of position. He's not a 4 or a 5 due to his height limitations. You're right that he rebounds like a guard because thats more in line with his stature.

Braxton, Redshirts don't matter let it go! He could be the next VanPelt!

Hard to comment on VanPelt because whatever the coaches are seeing in practice doesn't give them the confidence to put him into games. Thats it, case close. I'm not going to blame it on his mission because Utah State's Collette just returned from his mission too!

Hajek is a great kid and leader for this team. His court time has been extremely limited due to injuries and playing behind superior players at Weber. He doesn't have the skill to be a major contributor, but what he could bring is the protector of the paint attitude. He needs to have a Dennis Rodman type demeanor and every rebound needs to be his or he's going to put you on your butt trying to get it! thats what he should be contributing. People should feel the power of the mullet! We are so soft inside its embarrassing!

Relax..... 0-2 in conference isn't bad. they didn't get blown out of either game and the team has the chance to put it in gear and have a good year! they haven't played bad the last two games! They are not currently the best team in the BSC, but will be by tournament time.

 

[WSUfan4ever]

How does a 6'3 power forward in Division 1 have any upside?

Yeah now that you put it that way haha

 

[Da Bears]

He hasn't gotten smaller since we recruited him! The coaches knew his height , but saw enough to offer him a scholarship at Weber State. He's not great in his current position, but I'd love to see Bolomboy, Hill, Coston, Gittens and Senglin on the floor.

Thats a physical line up....... bet he'll get some rebounds!

 

[WSUfan4ever]

He hasn't gotten smaller since we recruited him! The coaches knew his height , but saw enough to offer him a scholarship at Weber State. He's not great in his current position, but I'd love to see Bolomboy, Hill, Coston, Gittens and Senglin on the floor.

Thats a physical line up....... bet he'll get some rebounds!

That would be interesting ... or perhaps he should be backing up Hill at the 3 but then we have no back up post players.

 

[Da Bears]

He hasn't gotten smaller since we recruited him! The coaches knew his height , but saw enough to offer him a scholarship at Weber State. He's not great in his current position, but I'd love to see Bolomboy, Hill, Coston, Gittens and Senglin on the floor.

Thats a physical line up....... bet he'll get some rebounds!

That would be interesting ... or perhaps he should be backing up Hill at the 3 but then we have no back up post players.

Wouldn't have to worry about having a shooter! Senglin would shoot until his arm fell off!! :lol: :lol: