USU thoughts

[Wildcat_Fan]

Team looked much improved, except the 6 turn overs out of halftime and cold stretch from the free throw line. I think we will challenge Montana but they looked good and really put a scare into Washington.

Also does Gittens remind anyone of good ole Franklin Sessions? I see some similarities!

 

[Webergrad02]

That play where Gittens went iso was totally like Sessions. Now I have a new player to watch coaches facial expressions while they have the ball.

 

[oldrunner]

Rashaud shares some attributes with Sessions. However, he is a much different person and player. He is more skilled, smarter, better built, taller, more of a team player, and 100x more coachable. :thumb:

 

[WSUProf]

Even though the Cats start 3 seniors, this is very young team, with what appears to be a very short bench of two freshmen. There were several occasions last night when Rahe had 3 freshmen and a sophomore on the floor. The inexperience came through in the last 5-6 minutes. Players seemed to miss their defensive assignments off of double-teams.
I do think that this team will be good. I liked the change at the guard spots with Richardson at the point. Bolomboy and Hill are beasts on the boards, but both need to develop a low post game. Berry, once again, showed signs that he can take a game over on the offensive end.
Any word on when Hajek is expected back?

 

[oldrunner]

The only thing I have heard on James is that he will be back sometime in December. Last I talked to him, a few weeks ago, he was in the pool but not on the bike yet. I suspect that he is on the bike now and may be able to do a little running. However, that alone is a long ways from playing. My guess would be that he returns for the Saint Katherine or UCLA games. I certainly hope we get him before BSC games begin.

 

[UtahPirate]

Not feeling quite as gracious as the other posters. I was really irritated that a paper press took our athleticism completely away and turned the offensive momentum we had built midway through the first half. We should completely blast past a press like that and get the ball to the rim, which we are capable of doing. You have to continue to find a way to play to your strengths. Can't figure out why we struggle when someone presses us. We were clearly the more athletic team and that stupid press move by Stew neutralized our speed.

I know that Rahe loves the man-to-man. This I know. But when we face a team like the Aggies, who are so big inside, I think you at least try a zone and see if they can beat you from the 3. I'm not sure they can, they were 4 for 12 last night. By not zoning the Ags got far too many interior layups because we failed to double down effectively on Shaw. A good zone would instantly create those double team situations with backside help. It will be very interesting to see how the Y plays the Ags on Saturday. Rose loves zones like Rahe loves man.

The Aggies have the mark-of-Stew all over them. Big, slow, smart with a couple of shooters. The MW is going to be a much faster league than the WAC and teams will be as quick as we are, but also bigger as well. It will be interesting to watch the Aggies transition to their new league.

 

[hawkssb04]

I typically take a very negative outlook after losses, but I was very encouraged by last night's game. Maybe the blowout loss to Colorado State forced my expectations to lower, so this one was a little easier to swallow, as we looked way better than we did in the previous two games. That being said, I effing hate losing to Utah State almost every year, knowing we have the talent to beat those guys. Unfortunately, size was our undoing, especially without Hajek in the lineup. Once Tres, Joel and Hill started getting into foul trouble, I knew we were not going to be able to play any real post defense down the stretch and that's exactly what happened. I swear, it felt like we didn't get a single defensive stop for the final five minutes of that game. I agree with the rest of you on Joel, but he and Tres had to contend with Shaw all night. I don't think they'll face another big that good for the rest of the season.

Once again, I am SO impressed with our freshmen. Senglin has tons of poise and doesn't look like a freshman at all. His breakaway dunk was filthy, too. Gittens is proving to be a nice scoring compliment to Berry off the bench. His aggressiveness is a breath of fresh air when the offense starts to get stagnant. Although he didn't have a great shooting night, Hill looks nothing like the scared newbie we saw against BYU in the opener. He wasn't afraid to get dirty, block shots and take open looks when he had them.

I think we finally turn the corner on Saturday. San Jose State isn't nearly the team Utah State is, but they won't be a pushover, either. Look to see Tres bounce back from this loss in a big way against the Spartans, possibly fueling a double-digit win for WSU.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Time management issues at the end, not playing to our strengths, and missing free throws. Frustrating!!

USU is a good team. So there is no shame in losing to the Aggies, even though I hate losing period. Like Utahpirate pointed out, the Cats should have used their speed more effectively against the Aggies. They really didn't match up well against us and if we use our speed and athleticism, like we did to get back into the game and CHANGE OUR GAME PLAN, then we have a great shot at beating the Aggies. Sad sad sad.

Regardless, I really thought the guys played a lot better and you can see the team developing and improving. The more I watch the team though, the more I feel that Rahe needs to add a JC shooter next spring.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

... Unfortunately, size was our undoing, especially without Hajek in the lineup. ...

I disagree. UtahPirate pretty much nailed it.
1) Although Weber didn't crumble with the soft press like they have in previous years, they were certainly timid of it and it completely altered their offensive flow. Toss in the zone D and Weber often looked paralyzed in the second half. The slightest of presses and zone D continuous to be an effective game plan against and liability for Weber.
2) Both CSU and USU had lots of offensive success close to the basket. Several times, especially late in the game vs USU, inexperience and youthful mistakes led to easy layups, but in the first half there was some flat out poor defensive rotations. Why virtually no zone D when you're struggling to defend inside? I don't get it. It seemed USU wasn't shooting particularly well, why not try throwing some zone at them?
3) I'll add that the game/clock management was not great. Rahe could really improve in managing the 2 minutes before a half-time better and not letting momentum (or score) swing. Additionally, with about 1:30 left and the game still in reach, I can't understand where the offensive sense of urgency was or why Weber wasn't looking for a quick steal or foul to stop the clock.

Positives for yet another in-state/OOC loss: 1) They were much more competitive than the disaster in Colorado. 2) JR looked much better/more comfortable at the point. 3) Senglin looks terrific for a true frosh. 4) Gittens showed flashes. 5) Hill showed flashes. 6) Loved the Bolomboy 'oops and hops (he has really got to position and box better though) 7) Tres gettin' nasty on D-- loved the half-dozen or so blocks the team had.
:twocents:
vs BYU: First game jitters, inexperience, tough competition, happy valley voodoo
vs CSU: WTF?
vs USU: Youthful mistakes but starting to get it together, tough vet team, poor game/clock management.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

Not feeling quite as gracious as the other posters. I was really irritated that a paper press took our athleticism completely away and turned the offensive momentum we had built midway through the first half. We should completely blast past a press like that and get the ball to the rim, which we are capable of doing. You have to continue to find a way to play to your strengths. Can't figure out why we struggle when someone presses us. We were clearly the more athletic team and that stupid press move by Stew neutralized our speed.

I know that Rahe loves the man-to-man. This I know. But when we face a team like the Aggies, who are so big inside, I think you at least try a zone and see if they can beat you from the 3. I'm not sure they can, they were 4 for 12 last night. By not zoning the Ags got far too many interior layups because we failed to double down effectively on Shaw. A good zone would instantly create those double team situations with backside help. It will be very interesting to see how the Y plays the Ags on Saturday. Rose loves zones like Rahe loves man.

The Aggies have the mark-of-Stew all over them. Big, slow, smart with a couple of shooters. The MW is going to be a much faster league than the WAC and teams will be as quick as we are, but also bigger as well. It will be interesting to watch the Aggies transition to their new league.

We're not that big inside. We go 6'10" and 6'7" with Shaw and Davis. You go 6'10" and 6'9" with Tresnak and Bolomboy.

We're not big, we're not slow. Our starting guards, wings, are 6' 6'3" 6'4". You go 6'4" 6'2" 6'1".

We have 3 shooters in Roland, Butterfield, and Medlin. 44% from 3, 53% from 3, 48% from 3 respectively.

The press by Stew was effective. It would only be classified as stupid if it didn't work, or only worked against a stupid team. Is your team stupid?

So, basically, you're wrong all around. Your evaluation of the game, and both teams, sucks. Essentially, you don't know what you're talking about. And you have a bug up your a$$ when it comes to USU. But, even with the bug up there, we spanked you on your home court.

 

[WeberSki]

Not feeling quite as gracious as the other posters. I was really irritated that a paper press took our athleticism completely away and turned the offensive momentum we had built midway through the first half. We should completely blast past a press like that and get the ball to the rim, which we are capable of doing. You have to continue to find a way to play to your strengths. Can't figure out why we struggle when someone presses us. We were clearly the more athletic team and that stupid press move by Stew neutralized our speed.

I know that Rahe loves the man-to-man. This I know. But when we face a team like the Aggies, who are so big inside, I think you at least try a zone and see if they can beat you from the 3. I'm not sure they can, they were 4 for 12 last night. By not zoning the Ags got far too many interior layups because we failed to double down effectively on Shaw. A good zone would instantly create those double team situations with backside help. It will be very interesting to see how the Y plays the Ags on Saturday. Rose loves zones like Rahe loves man.

The Aggies have the mark-of-Stew all over them. Big, slow, smart with a couple of shooters. The MW is going to be a much faster league than the WAC and teams will be as quick as we are, but also bigger as well. It will be interesting to watch the Aggies transition to their new league.

We're not that big inside. We go 6'10" and 6'7" with Shaw and Davis. You go 6'10" and 6'9" with Tresnak and Bolomboy.

We're not big, we're not slow. Our starting guards, wings, are 6' 6'3" 6'4". You go 6'4" 6'2" 6'1".

We have 3 shooters in Roland, Butterfield, and Medlin. 44% from 3, 53% from 3, 48% from 3 respectively.

The press by Stew was effective. It would only be classified as stupid if it didn't work, or only worked against a stupid team. Is your team stupid?

So, basically, you're wrong all around. Your evaluation of the game, and both teams, sucks. Essentially, you don't know what you're talking about. And you have a bug up your a$$ when it comes to USU. But, even with the bug up there, we spanked you on your home court.

Really? Spanked? As I look at the underclassmen I sure like our chances the next couple of years. Senglin>Davis, Gittens or Hill>Moore
Question George, does Dr. Conrad Murray hold your penis at night?
One night a year I cheer for byu, & that's tonight hopefully the zoobs kick the holy living sh!t out of you guys tonight.

 

[UtahPirate]

Hey George! Good to have to drop by. Didn't visit much last year.

Guess you are feeling really good with the start this year -- but hardly charitable are you, despite the win.

Here's your roster cause your addition seems a bit off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imixg3jrJS8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I count 8 players at 6'7" and above. Now I don't know how many play, but that beast 6' 10" 275 Cache county kid did play some nice minutes for you, but you might have forgotten. You stayed plenty big all game as we struggled to keep Bolomboy on the court in the first half (left the game with two fouls at the 12 minute mark) and Tres in the second because of foul trouble. After those two we go to a 6'7" freshman -- no one left with Hajek out. You pretty well out bigged us.

That "stupid" press was just so because it bugged me, it was a brilliant move by Stew because we never countered it -- if you had read on.

Big, slow and smart I stand by and invite you to come back at the end of the MW year and we'll compare notes on that. I might be wrong, but I don't think so. It's a Stew kinda team -- except for one thing, these guys are REAL men. Despite being the best flop instructor in the U.S. this team seems to ignore Stews instructions and actually man's up.

One thing you hit out of the park George, the Aggies do bug the crap out of me. Big time Y fan tonight!

Hope to see you again George. Good to see you survived last year and are now out of your hole!

 

[n.ogdencat]

Rose used the speed of his cougars in the second half on Saturday as the crux that beat the Aggies. USU doesn't handle speed so well. Stew's use of a token half-court trap really took the Cats out of their stuff. It is too bad that Rahe didn't throw a token press into the Aggies offense like Stew did to us. Weber has the better athletes other than Jared Shaw. Yikes, he is pretty dang good. He has really developed over the last year. I liked Davis too, but he was able to get open looks because of the other bigs and his propensity to push off and not get caught. Pretty dirty player, but a tough kid. Glad the Aggies got him and not the Cougs or Utes.