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Weber State Wildcats (Last Year: 20-11, 13-3 in Big Sky)
2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Trevor Morris (Sr)/Kyle Tresnack (Fr)/James Hajek (Fr)
PF: Darin Mahoney (Jr)/Byron Fulton (Fr)
SF: Kyle Bullinger (Jr)/Blake Davis (Fr)/Josh Noble (Sr)
SG: Lindsey Hughey (Sr)/Scott Bamforth (So)/B.J. Porter (So)
PG: Damian Lillard (Jr)/Jordan Richardson (Fr)
Gone: C-Steve Panos, G/F-Franklin Session (transfer-Cal State L.A.), SG-Nick Hansen
2010-11 Outlook:
The Wildcats have dominated the Big Sky the past year, compiling a 28-4 regular season record. However, the memory of Montana’s Anthony Johnson going off for 42 points as the Grizzlies upset Weber State 66-65 in Big Sky Championship, thus costing the Wildcats a trip to the NCAA Tournament, has certainly haunted the team this offseason. Besides, it was the second straight year Weber State entered the conference tournament as the top seed only to fall short of the dance.
Back to run the show is junior point guard Damian Lillard, who by Big Sky standards is just a superior athlete. After Lillard, the Wildcats’ next three leading scorers are gone, meaning a couple players will have to step into the complementary role. Kyle Bullinger and Lindsey Hughey are the most likely candidates to do so, but former high school teammates Byron Fulton and Blake Davis should add some depth after a redshirt year. Portland transfer B.J. Porter becomes eligible after the first semester and will bring some valuable game experience.
The Wildcats will be put to the test with a pretty tough non-conference slate that features road games at Utah State, Utah and Tulsa, a home game against BYU, and a trip to the way Northwest for the Great Alaska Shootout. If they can stay competitive in those games and maybe sneak out a win or two, Weber State will be the favorite heading into conference play. They will need to get the monkey off their back and win the postseason tournament if they want to be dancing though.
Player to Watch: Damian Lillard, PG
The reigning Big Sky Conference MVP is showing up on a lot of 2011 NBA Draft boards and could be heading into his final year at Weber State. He led the conference in scoring and is dangerous off the bounce as well as a pretty efficient outside shooter. Lillard was also rather consistent last season, scoring in double figures in 29 of the Cats’ 31 games. I cannot help but think of Lillard in the same regard as what Eric Maynor brought to Virginia Commonwealth; an NBA-caliber floor general playing in a mid-major conference who can score and also distribute the basketball.
Key Non-Conference Games:
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2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
