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OGDEN — Weber State basketball coach Randy Rahe prepares his team to be at the top at all times.
Thursday, the Wildcats were selected by media and coaches as the preseason favorite to win the Big Sky Conference, making it the sixth time in seven years Weber State has been selected as the conference’s best team entering the season.
Weber State captured the 2014 Big Sky Conference title, won the conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. It marked the 21st conference title in WSU history, the most in the Big Sky. Also, Rahe was named the Big Sky Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career, a Big Sky record.
Rahe said the Wildcats are honored to be voted as the top team, but also accept the expectations that go with it.
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“It’s always an honor to be picked first in the polls,” Rahe said in a press release from the school. “We were able to have some success last year but this is a new season. I never put too much stock in the polls but we always have high expectations for our team and I’m excited about the group of players we have this year.”
Weber State opens the season on Nov. 1, with an exhibition game at home. The Wildcats’ regular season opener is scheduled for Nov. 14 at Utah State.
Eastern Washington was picked second in the coaches poll and garnered one first-place vote with Northern Arizona third with two first-place votes and Sacramento State fourth win one vote. Portland State was fifth, followed by Northern Colorado, new Big Sky member Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho State, Montana State and Southern Utah.
In the media poll, Northern Arizona was picked second with four first-place votes with Eastern Washington third. Sacramento State came in fourth, followed by Montana, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Idaho, North Dakota, Idaho State, Montana State and Southern Utah.
Contributing: Paul Grua, Weber State athletics
