Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OGDEN -- The Big Sky Tournament is finally here and the Weber State Wildcats, even with home court advantage, will likely have their hands full Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Wildcats are the number one seed and host of the tournament, which gives them a great home court advantage. In fact, the Wildcats lost only once on their home floor this season- the season opener against Utah State 66-60. However, they lost in last year's conference tournament despite being the host.
Bottom line whoever defends the best and rebounds the best will be successful.
–WSU Head Coach Randy Rahe
The Wildcats hope 2010 will be different than last season and since that loss to the Aggies the Wildcats won 13 straight at home and dropped just three conference games on the road. All three of those teams remain in the tournament- Northern Colorado, Montana and Portland State.
Portland State is ranked as the sixth seed in the Tournament and will meet Weber State Tuesday night in the semifinals. The Vikings knocked off the third seed Montana State 68-65 at Montana State in the quarterfinals last Saturday.
This is not unusual for the Vikings. They are the two-time defending champions of the Big Sky Tournament and will be looking for three straight.
Portland State defeated the Wildcats in Portland last week 84-79 with Dominic Waters leading the team with 28 points.
Related:
Conference Tournament Central
If you're a MWC, WAC or Big Sky fan, we've got you covered. Follow KSL.com as we keep you up to date with coverage of the conference tournaments in Reno, Ogden and Las Vegas.Despite that loss and Portland State's propensity for post-season success, the Wildcats feel prepared heading into Tuesday night.
"We do like we've always done. We aren't going to change anything now. (We are) just going to get ready to go and get everything in place as quick as we can, and go out and try to be the aggressive team," said Head Coach Randy Rahe. "In tournaments it's the same every year; the more aggressive team will have the advantage and that's what we are going to try to do, get our mindset ready to go."
The Wildcats do hold the advantage over the Vikings on their home court. Weber State has won 16 times at home against the Vikings and has won five straight including one win in the post-season.
The Vikings are led by Waters, named to the Second Team All-Big Sky, and averaging just under 19 points a game. Jamie Jones was named to the First Team All-Big Sky averaging 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots a game.
"We got our hands full with Portland State," said Rahe. "They obviously got after us really good last weekend and all we can do is prepare for the next game and get ready and try to win our next game. Our goal this whole year (was) get better every day in practice and win our next game, and that's what we are going to try to do."
Weber State is led by the Big Sky MVP Damian Lillard. Lillard has been disrespecting defenses all season long averaging nearly 20 points and almost four assists a game.
This is a tremendous honor for Damian and our team," said Rahe. "Damian has worked extremely hard on and off the court to improve his game, become a better player and a better teammate. He's certainly worthy of the recognition."
Steve Panos, who was named Second Team All-Big Sky, averages 11 points and five rebounds a game. Franklin Session, who was named Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-Big Sky averages 10 points and six rebounds a game.
The two teams playing in the other semifinal are the Bears of Northern Colorado and the Grizzlies of Montana.
The Grizzlies defeated Northern Arizona last week 81-60 to earn the semifinal appearance.
Both Northern Colorado and Montana beat each other this season, both coming on the opponent's home court. The Bears got their win 59-48 holding the Grizzlies to a season-low in scoring. The Grizzlies won 64-62 at Northern Colorado.
Montana is led by Anthony Johnson, who was also named to the First Team All-Big Sky, averaging about 19 points and three assist per game. Brian Qvale is averaging almost 10 points a game and nearly seven rebounds a game.
In tournaments it's the same every year; the more aggressive team will have the advantage and that's what we are going to try to do, get our mindset ready to go.
–WSU Head Coach Randy Rahe
Northern Colorado will have to play without Devon Beitzel, who was named Second Team All-Big Sky. Beitzel was averaging 14 points a game until he injured his foot in a loss to Weber State.
With Beitzel out, it will be up to Will Figures to rally the troops. Figures was named to the First Team All-Big Sky averaging 16 points and two assists a game. Northern Colorado also features the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in Yahosh Bonner.
Weber State defeated Montana at home 64-56, but lost at Montana 75-71. Northern Colorado beat Weber State at home 84-75, but lost in Ogden 81-76.
Weber State isn't worried about who beat who or what the records say. They say they are simply focused on the next game at hand and that's it. They know what it will take to win the Big Sky Tournament.
"The team that defends and rebounds the best is going to win," said Rahe. "It is very simple. We've shown that we can be a good defensive and rebounding team. We will be challenged against Portland State because they are very hard to guard and they got a terrific rebounding team. Bottom line whoever defends the best and rebounds the best will be successful."
Northern Colorado and Montana will tipoff on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Weber State and Portland State will tipoff after that at 7 p.m.
