Montana came back from a 40-20 deficit at the half to beat Weber State 66-65 in the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Anthony Johnson scored a Tournament record 42 points, 34 of which came in the second half. This was probably one of the most exciting games I have watched in a long time, reminds me of the Montana vs South Dakota State football game last fall. Good luck to Weber State in the NIT and to Montana in the NCAA Tournament! Make us proud boys!
Archive for the ‘Weber State’ Category
Montana wins the Big Sky Tournament
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 by chris in Big Sky, Montana, Weber State, basketballWildcats could pile up awards tomorrow
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 by Matthew Gerrish in Big Sky, Weber State, basketballOGDEN – 
The Big Sky Conference will release its All-Big Sky mens basketball selections tomorrow and if history has taught us anything, Weber State has a good chance at piling up the accolades.
Ever since the Big Sky cut it’s first-team selections down to only six players during the 2006-07 season, the Big Sky regular season winner has notched two first-teamers in every season.
Last season, the Wildcats (15-1 Big Sky, 21-10 Overall) saw senior guard Kellen McCoy and freshman guard Damian Lillard each get a first-team nod. The Wildcats posted no second-teamers, and senior forward Daviin Davis was named to the third-team.
OK, enough with the history lesson.
Lillard — the Big Sky scoring leader at 19.7 points per game — is a shoe-in for first-team this season and is the front-runner for the league MVP award. However, if WSU is to get a second first-teamer, that is debatable.
Four of the other first team selections are all locks (Montana senior Anthony Johnson, Portland State senior Dominic Waters, Northern Colorado senior Devon Beitzel and Northern Arizona junior Cameron Jones) but the sixth and final spot could go to any number of Big Sky players, with two WSU studs among them.
WSU senior center Steve Panos has displayed flashes of dominance all season long, but his lack of consistency in the paint may force him down to a second-team selection. Junior transfer Franklin Session has been a stat machine, ranking in the top 10 of five different categories. For further details on his stats make sure you check out Jasen Asay’s column in tomorrow’s Standard-Examiner.
Both have shots at first-team, but WSU coach Randy Rahe has a tendency to make pushes for his seniors in All-Big Sky ballots, so Panos is more likely to get the nod, if in-fact a WSU player gets that final spot.
However, there are strong cases for other players, such as UNC’s Will Figures and Idaho State’s Amorrow Morgan, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Outside of Lillard, Panos and Session, WSU could even see senior guard Nick Hansen steal a third-team nod, based of his hot shooting in the season’s final few weeks.
As far as awards go, once again, WSU is in line for another MVP in Lillard, who should mark the third Wildcat to win the award in the past four seasons, joining McCoy and 2006-07 winner David Patten.
Session and Idaho State junior Broderick Gilchrest both have legitimate cases for Newcomer of the Year, but based off the Bengals’ position in the standings, I can see this tipping in Session’s favor.
While there have been solid defensive efforts from several Wildcats this season, I don’t see anyone from WSU competing in the thick Defensive Player of the Year field. Northern Colorado’s Yahosh Bonner has been shut-down on some of the league’s best players this season (including Lillard) and has a great shot at winning. Portland State’s Jamie Jones and Montana’s Brian Qvale, who have been formidable defensive foes, also have outside shots at winning. No Wildcats though.
WSU hasn’t seen considerable playing time from it’s freshmen this season, and have virtually no shot at Freshman of the Year as well. Eastern Washington’s Glen Dean is the obvious choice there anyway.
For my full All-Big Sky Team and awards predictions, click the link below.
Portland State @ Weber State
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Portland State, Weber State, basketball
Does anybody really need a reason to watch this game? It is the game of the year in the Big Sky Conference, and an absolute must-win for the Vikings if they have any aspiration for hosting the conference tournament. If you do, here are a few.
1) Daviin Davis matching up with Phil Nelson means the two most physically gifted players in the conference. You’re guaranteed at least one highlight reel dunk, if not from one of these two show stoppers, then from Andre Murray.
2) Kellen McCoy takes another shot at proving he deserves to be the Player of the Year in the Big Sky. However, he’ll have to prove that by out-dueling last year’s MVP, Portland State’s Jeremiah Dominguez.
3) This game is the likely preview of the conference title game. For those that think Montana has a shot at getting there, I advise taking into account that Wayne Tinkle is the coach. Unless they host, the Grizzlies aren’t going to the Big Dance.
4) The best two coaches in the Big Sky face off again. Randy Rahe and Ken Bone are still here for now, but are likely to be the head men at big-time programs within the next five years.
If you still don’t plan on watching this game, (it’s free on Big Sky TV) I really hope you’ve got a good party to go to.
Match-Ups
Center
WSU: Steve Panos PSU: Julius Thomas
Here’s a scary thought for Viking fans: the team goes into the toughest environment in the entire conference shorthanded, and two games behind. The shorthanded comment of course refers to the potential absence of Jamie Jones, who frankly appeared to have been physically diminished for about 2 months. Thomas has been better than Jones in recent days, so this isn’t the biggest loss (Jones only had 2 points and 1 rebound in the first game between the two). The problem is the lack of depth and physical presence to match up with Panos. Mara seeing significant time here would be no surprise, especially if Thomas gets into foul trouble. If Jones is healthy enough to go, he’ll probably see time, even though he doesn’t match up well with Panos. As far as advantages, one has physical tools while the other is more polished and bigger. Take your pick if you must.
Advantage: Push
Power Forward
WSU: Kyle Bullinger PSU: Kyle Coston
Kyle Bullinger had the game of his short career (22 points, 8 rebounds) the last time he matched up with the Vikings. It seemed like every shot he took in the second half went in, even from 28 feet away. Before he came to Portland, he scored 17 at home against Northern Colorado on 6 of 10 shooting. Guess what happened on February 5th? Try the exact same outcome. It’s a lucky thing the Wildcats play Eastern Washington first. Ultimately, I don’t think Bullinger is going to score 22 again, or pull down 8 rebounds. However, he should be plenty productive to overmatch Kyle Coston. The last time Kyle scored 11 in a game, he promptly came up empty in the next game. Like the Wildcats, the Vikings have a game before Saturday’s title fight. Nevertheless, there is no indication that Kyle is anywhere near returning to the form that had him in double-figures for 5 straight games earlier in the year. In fact, a very good argument could be made for Mara starting if Bullinger was not such a finesse player.
Advantage: Wildcats
Small Forward
WSU: Daviin Davis PSU: Phil Nelson
Yes, I know Hansen is the guy here on a normal night. However, if anybody wants to argue with Davis’ stats against PSU, they’re stupid. Davis is the most physically gifted bench player in the conference by far, and a Portland State killer. He is the one person that can shut down Phil Nelson on a night his shot is on. I acknowledge that Nelson is a better offensive player, but that is it. Davis has far more energy, rebounding ability, and defensive prowess. If Randy Rahe puts Hansen on the floor at any point, except to spell Davis, he should be fired on the spot.
Advantage: Wildcats
Shooting Guard
WSU: Damian Lillard PSU: Andre Murray
Andre Murray is a better shooter and defender than Lillard with more experience. Lillard’s one advantage is his ball-handling ability. He also displayed an uncanny knack for using the glass in the first match-up between the two teams in Portland. If Bullinger can’t produce the type of scoring effort he did in the first game, look for Lillard to be one of the guys the Wildcats depend on late in the game. I have to give the advantage to Murray here. The Viks will need him to score and defend given the lack of an inside presence. He can handle that assignment. Look for a big night from Andre in the must-win contest.
Advantage: Vikings
Point Guard
WSU: Kellen McCoy PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
I’m going to take Dominguez. No doubt in my mind about that, even with McCoy as the front-runner for Big Sky MVP. Jeremiah completely outclassed McCoy when they played on January 8. For those of you that ask about the stats, look at the free throw numbers, then the number of fouls on JD and Waters. McCoy did his damage against Waters and at the end of the game when the Viks were forced to foul. Although McCoy is playing the way Dominguez was at this point last year, (25 points, 8 rebounds-he’s 5’6”, 5 assists at Northern Colorado) there’s no question who the “Real McCoy” is when we’re talking about the best point guard in the Big Sky. Dominguez is passing better now than he has at any other point since he arrived at PSU (11 assists to go along with 15 points against Northern Arizona).
Advantage: Vikings
Bench
Although Davis may come off the bench for the Wildcats, Hansen is going to fill the bench-type minutes, so I’ll factor him in here. Trevor Morris was effective in limited minutes, and has been pretty consistent with 4 or more points per game. This is about it for Weber. I understand the possible argument that Waters is like a starter for PSU as Davis is for Weber. However, this simply isn’t the case. He is the third guard on a team that plays two. This makes him the best bench player in the conference. Tyrell Mara has been solid for PSU in recent games, and they will need him to be solid inside if they have any chance in this one. I give PSU the advantage given the minutes breakdown, which considers Davis a starter.
Advantage: Push
So who gets the nod? I give it to Weber at home, because I feel that Nelson is essential to Viking success without an inside presence. He hasn’t proven that he can score against better defenders. The only PSU might win is if they can reverse the free throw trend and shoot about 10 more than Weber.
Prediction: PSU 70 WSU 71
WSU @ PSU
Monday, January 5th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Portland State, Weber State, basketball
Sorry to all the fans expecting previews for recent games. I was enjoying the holidays with my family and had very little time at the computer. However, I’ll be back on board for the rest of the season. After flipping the calendar over into the new year, the Vikings are sitting pretty with a game over all the other teams in the Big Sky, as well as the confidence that comes with winning the tough games. That said, 3 of the wins have come against teams that the Vikings should have blown out, and were only able to grind out. Although the 2008-09 Wildcat squad may not be the toughest squad that has ever stepped out onto the court, there is no doubt that they will play tough and force the Vikings to beat them. They have had some sub par performances like the thrashings they took at the hands of BYU and Utah State, they will have the seasoning that comes from playing the big teams which should benefit them long term.
Match-Ups
Center
WSU: Steve Panos PSU: Jamie Jones
Although Panos saw most of his time playing a hybrid big man with Valeika in the lineup, he has flourished as the full-time center, averaging 11 points per game. Although his production has dipped a bit in recent weeks, there is no reason to believe that he won’t be able to right the ship. On the other side, Jamie Jones will be happy to return to the comfort of playing at home against a similarly-sized opponent. Jamie has had a tough time when forced to match-up with larger opponents, and has scored 4 or fewer points on four occasions. Ultimately, Jones should be the more productive of the two if he can stay out of foul trouble and avoid being too physical with Panos.
Advantage: Vikings
Power Forward
WSU: Kyle Bullinger PSU: Kyle Coston
Bullinger and Coston both play the role of the “other guy” on the court. The hope is that they don’t screw it up for the other players on the team. However, each is capable of having a big night if their outside jumper is on. For Bullinger, that happened in the Wildcats last game (scored 17 in the win over Northern Colorado). Randy Rahe and Wildcat fans will have to hope he can reproduce that effort in order to fill the likely gap at small forward left by Hansen. If not, Davis will get the call. After starting the season strong, what has happened to Kyle Coston. The Horde’s favorite player has disappeared on the offensive end after a stretch early in the season when he scored in double-figures in 5 straight contests. Whatever has happened, perhaps some home cooking will help Kyle rebound, as the Viks will need him during the Big Sky schedule.
Advantage: Push
Small Forward
WSU: Nick Hansen PSU: Phil Nelson
Hansen will be a new face to the Vikings who presents an interesting match-up. He has seen a major drop off in production in recent games, but has at times shown the potential to contribute offensively. He may have trouble shooting over the 6’7” Nelson, who has shown defensive improvement over the course of the season. Nelson has also become much more consistent offensively in recent games (8 games in a row with 10 or more points), even when his outside shot hasn’t been falling. Perhaps this is the beginning of his evolution into the star that Viking fans expect him to become. Nelson should definitely handle Hansen, the question is what will happen when Davis is inserted into the lineup.
Advantage: Vikings
Shooting Guard
WSU: Damian Lillard PSU: Andre Murray
Although listed at shooting guard for match-up purposes, I’m sure Lillard considers himself a point guard. He has that in common with Dominic Waters. Ball handling duties will likely be shared between Lillard and McCoy. For the PSU fans not familiar with Lillard, he was referred to as “the steal of the year” by Scouts Inc. when he committed to Weber State despite many other offers. Based on Ken Bone’s comments after the win at Northern Arizona, it will be interesting to see if he inserts Dominic Waters into the starting lineup or sticks with “Draeno.” Either way, the Viks will have a guy coming off the bench capable of scoring 20 or more points, which is a great luxury they didn’t have last year. Although Lillard is very talented, he lacks the experience that either candidate for the Vikings possesses, and thus they will get the nod.
Advantage: Vikings
Point Guard
WSU: Kellen McCoy PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
This should be one of the most fun match-ups to watch this season. These two gritty point men led their respective teams in the most recent contest between the two, and there is no reason to believe this one should be any different. Although listed at 5’6” they find ways to score both inside and outside while providing intensity on the defensive end. Even though he’s one of the top players in the Big Sky, McCoy gets the short end of the stick here as I’m picking Dominguez. Watch out though. If he has a good shooting night, he has the potential to give Jeremiah a run for his money.
Advantage: Vikings
Bench
Morris, Mahoney, and Davis are definitely a solid group coming off the bench. The question is how they are going to compare with the Dom Waters & Company. Davis was insanely good against the Vikings last year (averaged over 21 points per game), and the Wildcats have to hope he’ll be able to duplicate that kind of effort if they have any chance of keeping up with Waters on Thursday. Although Waters has been great, and Julius Thomas has continued his development, Ken Bone is searching for something more from the rest of the bench. Tyrell Mara and Wendell Wright have both produced very little, even in extended minutes. Both teams have the guy capable of starting, then the rest. We’ll have to watch on Thursday night to see who excels in their opportunities.
Advantage: Push
Prediction: PSU 76 WSU 69
Weber State Preview – Daily Herald
Thursday, August 16th, 2007 by catbob in Weber State
The following article is a pretty good preview of the 2007 Weber State Wildcats, written by Neil K. Warner of the Daily Herald. The news from this article is the insinuation that sophomore Alabama transfer Jimmy Barnes has won the starting QB job. This is a good read, and you Big Sky folk should check it out!
The article can be found here.
Ex-Bobcat Coaches Land In Big Sky
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 by catbob in Idaho State, Montana State, Weber StateDon Bailey, former offensive coordinator for Montana State, is reported to be heading to Weber State to coach WRs. Bailey was scrutinized in his time in Bozeman, for a vanilla playback and predictable calls. But then again, that just described every fanbase’s opinion of their OC. Bailey was highly thought of in regards to recruiting, however.
ISU has announced they have hired former linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Rob Christoff. Christoff will coach linebackers for the Bengals. He was promoted to DC last year when former DC Pete Kwiatkowsk left the team to accept a position at Boise State. Many Cat fans were hoping Christoff would be retained, but that was not the case.
Weber Lands ‘Bama Transfer
Friday, June 29th, 2007 by catbob in Weber State
The Wildcats report that Jimmy Barnes is transferring to Weber State to play next fall. Barnes is a 6’5 240 pound sophomore quarterback, who was highly recruited out of high school. He only played once last year, in a clean-up roll. He was 6-11 for 45 yards and one score in a 38-3 rout of Florida International.
