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CEDAR CITY — It’s hard to believe that at one point this season Weber State appeared as if it might have an underwhelming 2014 conference season.
Now, it’s hard to believe that the Wildcats will not be the kings of the Big Sky Conference in a month or so. Indeed, Weber State moved to 11-2 in conference Thursday night after beating Southern Utah, 75-55, to maintain its three-game advantage in the Big Sky regular-season race.
Davion Berry added to his candidacy for Big Sky MVP with 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and reigning Big Sky Player of the Week Joel Bolomboy added nine points and nine rebounds.
Sure, winning the regular season title is good in any conference, but it’s especially good in the Big Sky because the regular season champion hosts the postseason tourney.
It’s even better for Weber State.
The Wildcats have that three-game lead with only seven games left in the regular season. In preview of those seven remaining games that start Monday at Idaho State, it's important to look at each individual matchup and review key statistics, as well as important notes.
FEB. 17: WEBER STATE AT IDAHO STATE
The Wildcats are currently on a BSC record-tying 26-game home-game winning streak. But one of the toughest games in that streak came against Idaho State earlier this season when the Wildcats got past the Bengals, 65-59. The Bengals, who are under the direction of well-respected coach Bill Evans, sit in second-to-last place with a record of 5-7, yet their record in Holt Arena is a respectable 7-3. Also, Idaho State beat both Montana State and Northern Colorado, who are in the upper half of the conference, at home.
Still, Weber hasn’t lost to ISU since the 2012 season and Weber coach Randy Rahe has traditionally had his team ready to play in Pocatello, Idaho. Expect another close game, but it appears Weber has too many scoring threats for Idaho State.
FEB. 20: WEBER STATE AT MONTANA
If there is one Big Sky foe that has consistently haunted Rahe and the Wildcats it is Montana. The stuff is of legend: The Grizzlies knocked out Weber State in the conference title game the last two seasons and beat the Wildcats in the Dee Events Center in a Big Sky final after Weber held a double-digit halftime lead. However, the Wildcats proved themselves capable of beating the Grizzlies with their current group this season in picking up a close 68-63 win.
If there is one game the Wildcats could almost be expected to lose the rest of the season it is this game at Montana. The Grizzlies sit at 7-6 in conference and only 7-4 at home, but they have continually figured out ways to beat Weber State in Missoula, Mont. Expect this to be one of the best games of the 2014 regular season.
#WSU
FEB. 22: WEBER STATE AT MONTANA STATE
Again, the only two losses of Weber’s 2012-13 Big Sky campaign came in the state of Montana. The Wildcats dropped games at Montana and Montana State. This year’s Montana State team appears to be inconsistent at best. The Bobcats have identical marks in conference and at home as Montana. The question in this game is which Bobcats team shows up, the one that lost 86-57 to Weber State already? Or, will it be the team that is on a two-game winning streak? The answer to that question will determine the winner of the game.
FEB. 27: SACRAMENTO STATE AT WEBER STATE
The final home stand of the season for Weber State starts by hosting Sacramento State, a team that beat Weber State on a miracle last-second shot in overtime earlier in the year.
After the loss, Rahe said his Weber team was down for a few days, and said a loss in that manner can do that to a team. For that reason alone expect Weber State to break the Big Sky conference home winning streak mark against the Hornets.
Also, Sacramento State isn’t exactly a juggernaut on the road with a 2-10 record. Bad road teams don’t do well in Ogden, nor do teams that have angered Rahe and his team. For those reasons expect Weber to win this game.
MARCH 1: NORTHERN ARIZONA AT WEBER STATE
The Wildcats will get another shot at Northern Arizona — only this time in the Dee Events Center. Weber already beat Northern Arizona this season in Flagstaff, Ariz., 76-67. In the game, Weber shot 53 percent from the field while holding the Lumberjacks to just 1-of-11 shooting from three-point range. Berry also scored a career-high 28 points against NAU. Again, Weber is tough to bet against at home, so an NAU team that is just 4-9 on the road isn't likely to beat them.
MARCH 6: WEBER STATE AT PORTLAND STATE
Weber State beat Portland State earlier in the season, 79-62, and now faces a Vikings squad that has underachieved on the year and is coming in at 6-7 in conference. However, if Portland State does have a strength, it is playing at home. The Vikings are 10-4 in their home arena and have beaten Montana at home. Again, Weber State will be the paper favorite, but don’t expect Portland State to get blown out.
MARCH 8: WEBER STATE AT EASTERN WASHINGTON
These teams both played in their Big Sky opener Jan. 2 and the Wildcats won, 74-67. Still, the game in Ogden featured numerous chances for the Eagles, who led 10-0 to start the game. Also, Eastern’s Tyler Harvey scored 30 points on the Wildcats. However, Eastern Washington has been on the Big Sky’s most inconsistent teams, losing every road game and winning all but one home game (a 73-61 loss to North Dakota).
Even though Weber State will likely have locked up the BSC title by this final game, expect the Wildcats to play their starters and try to win, to establish momentum heading into the conference tournament.
