Weber Wildcat I like your post and went over to you guys' site and was impressed (and jealous) with the basketball interest this early. A huge difference from EWU. I guess it is just the difference between a football school (EWU) and a basketball school (Weber).
The way we were playing at the end of last year after all the early injuries, plus the addition of Hankins (and Allen back healthy), I would have voted us 2nd. Although Montana only lost Qvale, I think that is an irreplacable loss, and we beat them at the end of the year and we didnt lose anybody. Selvig is way too soft to be a consistent go-to guy (check out his offensive rebound and free throw numbers - embarassing for a 7 footer). However, since the coaching change and the equally irreplaceable loss of Dean (and Allen), and that we will be transforming to a new system, I will put Montana 2nd. I still think we have enough talent, experience, and depth to finish 3rd. I know that sounds kinda crazy to say that a team that was below 500 last year could finish 2nd, but I think you saw late in the year at your place what that group was capable of once the juco guys (Colimon, Johnson, Ederain) adjusted to D1 ball and everybody was healthy and playing their natural position.
No question Weber is #1. You guys are loaded and could possibly be looking at another unbeaten run through the Big Sky. On paper, you guys have the best team in the conference since your Cravens team with Boyette, Ococolic, Hamilton, etc. I would love to see that team vs your team next year. Boyette vs Lillard, Bamforth vs Hamilton, Sparrow vs Bullinger, Ococolic vs your SMU transfer... I think that older team would have had an advantage at center with Bachmann and a huge advantage on the bench. Morrison, Eyre, Danley and my all-time favorite Big Sky player BARTON were all good enough to start for most Big Sky teams in most years. I remember PSU coach Shroyer saying that Weber's second five would have finished in the top half of the conference.
Remember just a few years back, 4 or 5 years in a row a team won the conference that had not made the conference tourney the previous season. So, dont count out PSU - they have talent and Odum and Tapscott are seniors which is valuable in the Big Sky.
