• Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts, upgrade to remove ads and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your BigSkyFans.com experience today!

The Lumberjacks

W

WILDCAT

Active member
Like us the Lumberjacks left the Montana trip 0-2. The Lumberjacks host Idaho State on thursday. Then host us on Saturday

The Wildcats dont have a game till they play at the Jacks. And we all know that NAU year in and Year out is always one of the toughest teams to beat.

Coming out of the Montana's we know Weber has some issues to work on, the biggest is Turnovers, we do it alot. it gave MSU and UM alot of Momentum against us epecially when we where on a run.

We also need someone to step up, our seniors especially. Hughey cant be having games like he did against Montana, like someone said before this is now HIS team and he needs to take comand of his forces, he needs to be the General and lead them to victory. also we need players on our bench to step up. I know this is hard to do with as young as our players are, alot of the time we are playing 4 underclassmen on the court.

Its hard to win on the road and even though this year probably wont be the year we hoped for, this will be valuable experience for our younger guys, having said that, We NEED a victory on Saturday
 
NAU played well in Montana and still came out 0-2. A couple of things help the Wildcats in this matchup:
1. Weber players are back in class, normal routines, practices, etc. NAU does not start next term until the 10th....which leads to #2:
2. NAU students will likely not be in large number at the Weber game, as classes do not start back for spring term until Jan 18th.

NAU is playing games in the Rolle Activity center this year, normally the home of NAU Volleyball, as the Skydome is being renovated. No students under the baskets to disrupt free throws, and no big crowds to get into the game, I think this helps Weber.

Let's watch this be the game the Cats make it happen on the road!

BTW. Fox Sports AZ is broadcasting (no tape delayed) so if your satellite or cable has Fox college sports, it is showing nationally as well live. UPDATE: Fox College Sports Pacific has the game on the schedule, starting time 6:35pm Mountain time
 
heyoh22 said:
NAU is playing games in the Rolle Activity center this year, normally the home of NAU Volleyball, as the Skydome is being renovated. No students under the baskets to disrupt free throws, and no big crowds to get into the game, I think this helps Weber.
Click to expand...

I thought the Big Sky sent out a memorandum against students behind the baskets??? WSU used to have a group of the frat boys on removeable bleachers behind the visitors basket but I thought they had to remove them. Any chance of resurrecting that bleacher and putting the craziest of the purple pak there?
 
Sorry, i was thinking of Utah State and some TV games that I have viewed....maybe BSC doesn't have that as an issue.
 
turnovers have been an issue at weber for some time. the fiasco at cinncinnati for example.coach Rahe seems like he says all the right things, but the teams have not been fundamentally sound.also, i'll go ahead and say it, the bigs have largely been a disapointment too.the new big men recruits seem like they have potential, like byron fulton.lets hope so because your going to have that player for 4 years.i admire coach Rahes desire to build a program from the bottom up,but i still say that bringing in junior college transfers that prove to be strong players, even if their only with the team 1 or 2 years is still the best option.coach abbeglan was a master of that, and his teams were always strong.i'm no expert for sure, but you've got to have more to the team than just 1 fine guard to rely on. Bamforth has injury issues, so bring on porter or somebody else, and give them a chance to step up.i'm still a big weber fan and lets go to n.a.u. and turn this thing around. i dont mean to sound pessimistic, just sayin.
 
montgomeryruss said:
turnovers have been an issue at weber for some time. the fiasco at cinncinnati for example.coach Rahe seems like he says all the right things, but the teams have not been fundamentally sound.
Click to expand...

This year's team is so young, turnovers are going to happen when your best player goes out, and when you have 4 freshmen playing heavy minutes. As far as Cincy goes, they kicked our butts, they were bigger and more athletic than we were.

montgomeryruss said:
also, i'll go ahead and say it, the bigs have largely been a disapointment too.the new big men recruits seem like they have potential, like byron fulton.lets hope so because your going to have that player for 4 years.
Click to expand...

I am ok with Fulton for 4 years, Fulton and Tresnak have shown some offensive skills we haven't seen from a big man for a long time. Tresnak has also shown a nice defensive presence. Mahoney hasn't had too many great offensive nights but has been pretty good on the defensive side and rebounding, same goes for Morris. I do think they need higher quality touches, down on the blocks and less 15 ft jumpers. I think our young bigs are going to be pretty good down the road. Also Otis is supposed to be a nice player too.


montgomeryruss said:
i admire coach Rahes desire to build a program from the bottom up,but i still say that bringing in junior college transfers that prove to be strong players, even if their only with the team 1 or 2 years is still the best option. coach abegglen was a master of that, and his teams were always strong.
Click to expand...

30% of the team this year are transfers, Hughey, Bamforth, Porter, and Otis. I think 30% is a pretty good number, any higher and the year before you have probably had some serious issues.

As for Abegglen, he was a great coach, one of our best but he had some down years too:
'91: 12-16 6th (Big Sky Standing)
'92: 16-13 3rd
'97: 15-13 4th
'98: 14-13 2nd

I think we are lucky to have a program where a down year is 2-3 place and around 16 wins. (AKA the Craven years)

montgomeryruss said:
i'm no expert for sure, but you've got to have more to the team than just 1 fine guard to rely on. Bamforth has injury issues, so bring on porter or somebody else, and give them a chance to step up.
Click to expand...

Again, 4 freshmen playing, who else do you want to get a chance, I will suit up :lol: Porter has been playing, but needs work, he's only a Soph. too.

montgomeryruss said:
i'm still a big weber fan and lets go to n.a.u. and turn this thing around. i dont mean to sound pessimistic, just sayin.
Click to expand...

I agree, I think we need to take care of business, starting at NAU.
 
Coach A never had a losing season.. I think the 91 Stats are off. You must have been talkin to BobCatWaldoCat too much!! LOOOL.

Also in 97 and 98 our team was...hmmm...to say it nicely, ON PROBATION!! ;) I think we only had 10 Scholies those years.

I agree with both of your arguments. I think coach looks at both options. Its nice finding a player who will have four strong years in the program, and so far, the Wizard has been finding those type of players. But he also has had success with JC's. Billings, Davis, Art, Van Brock, Harris, Hughey, Midge, and Session (yes he left, but he was still the Newcomer of the year and a JC transfer). There are positives from both areas. Also, Rahe is constantly recruiting JCs. I think he's looking in both areas. Its just he is finding and, most importantly, getting Fresh talent. Thats always a bonus!!

With regard to the bigs. I don't think Weber has been that bad the last little while. Patton, Arturas (The Team MVP), and Panos. Granted, this season we all knew was going to be dicey. Remember in the Spring we all thought that Tresnak will be fighting for a starting position. I still think he should be started. I'm not thoroughly impressed with Morris. Mahoney...well, he is a defensive beast, but once again, we all know offensively he isn't that great. He has shown moments, but he's got to get away from the jumper. Its not falling for him this year, if it starts to drop, it will open up the floor.

Also, injuries have killed us. Hughey isn't anywhere close to 100%. You could tell on Saturday that he was injured. Bam, who is a Soph guard, will be wearing a brace for the remainder of the season. I was told he can't injury it anymore than what he already has done to it. Thats gotta suck to know, at least you can't get any worse. Bullinger, has a hurt leg and Mahoney's knees aren't 100%. Also, I think everyone in Utah knew that LILLARD was going to be the main guy for this years team. Without him, it was going to be an almost insurmountable task for the Cats to win another title. However, I'm not throwing in the towel. I think this team is going to be good. gotta find a PG who can handle the ball better and let Hughey play his natural position, but other than that, I think things will be fine. To bad Noble can't come back.
 
WILDCAT -

The info that heyoh22 posted was about as much as I am privy to. I haven't been inside the Skydome in a year plus but do know that it is time to renovate.

The Rolle Activity Center (small practice gym where games are being played this year) may be rinky-dinky but I honestly believe it's a better environment for college basketball. You can pack 3-4 thousand people in the Skydome and due to the size and acoustics of the venue, it doesn't sound or feel like anyone is there.

Saturday will be big for both WSU and NAU - for the wrong reasons. Being one of the first teams to 3 losses in conference is no race any team wants to win. Which team digs deep, steps up the defensive presence and quits turning the ball over?

Look forward to watching the game on FoxSportsAZ. Plan to stop by here to chat before and during the game.
 
MT Jack said:
WILDCAT -

The info that heyoh22 posted was about as much as I am privy to. I haven't been inside the Skydome in a year plus but do know that it is time to renovate.

The Rolle Activity Center (small practice gym where games are being played this year) may be rinky-dinky but I honestly believe it's a better environment for college basketball. You can pack 3-4 thousand people in the Skydome and due to the size and acoustics of the venue, it doesn't sound or feel like anyone is there.

Saturday will be big for both WSU and NAU - for the wrong reasons. Being one of the first teams to 3 losses in conference is no race any team wants to win. Which team digs deep, steps up the defensive presence and quits turning the ball over?

Look forward to watching the game on FoxSportsAZ. Plan to stop by here to chat before and during the game.
Click to expand...


For sure, this game is very very very important for both schools 3 losses is tough to come back from in this conference.
 
If NAU plays defense vs. Weber State like they have the last three games then I predict a Wildcats win tomorrow night. Lumberjacks recent games have been like those old Paul Westhead (Loyola Marymount and Denver Nuggets) teams...run, gun and limited defense.

I predict there will be a Weber State contingency in Flagstaff with the two (right?) players from the Phoenix area.

Hoping for a well played game with no more injuries. Whoever loses tomorrow has a long way to dig themselves out of the hole they're in for even thinking about a top 3 conference seed.

Stoked that Fox Sports AZ has started picking up Jacks games. Looking forward to watching on the big screen for once.
 
wsucatfan: you point out some good things. it's true the team goes as the point guard goes.all our guards are really young and i agree there's talent there for the future. also right about the junior college transfers.they just pulled out that great win at n.a.u. just when i was comlaining about the big men, they really came through in that game. every good program has some down years, you proved it with the abegglan stats. i'll cease from commenting for a while.
 
Monty, no need to quit posting. It is always good to hear other points of view, even if we disagree with them. Feel free to opine and don't worry about what others think. You should see some of the posts between ajwildcat, ogden god father, and weberski. :shock:
 
Monty, I liked your post as well as Wsucatfans post. I like to hear different sides, and arguments to things especially WSU Hoops. We are lucky to have Rahe at Weber for what we pay. I love Rahe's coaching style. I like the kind of basketball we play under him. I also think it sucks that we have lost on our home floor in our own tourney with Lillard two years in a row. He got out- coached in the tourney Championship last year as well. He's learning, as are the players and team always is. Keep posting.
 
As far as JC's go last year we also had Hansen and Session. Hansen was great while Frank was a nightmare, and had to be booted. For every Boyette there is an Anthony Diloreto or Tyler Jones. With recruits like Shields, Wheelwright, Brown, Hajek, Otis, no need to go heavy on JC's IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top