March 5th 2010
It's official. I have my two tickets for the Big Sky tournament--a ticket for the semi final round on the 9th and a ticket for the championship game on the 10th. I know it may seem somewhat presumptuous for me to buy a ticket for the championship game when I still don't know for certain that the Wildcats will be playing in it. Even my boss was giving me a hard time for requesting to take off work a little early on the 10th to see Weber play in the championship.
I guess I figured it was bad etiquette, bad luck, bad karma or something like that to not go ahead and plan on the Big Sky champions playing in the finals of the Big Sky Championship. And besides that, I do feel very confident that Coach Rahe and the boys will get it done this year. I feel good about their chances of winning the championship and going dancing for several reasons.
1. Weber State is hosting the tournament at the Dee Events Center. The Wildcat's have yet to lose a conference game at home this season. They are a perfect 8-0 in the Purple Palace. Having the largest fan base and an always rowdy student section can only strengthen the home court advantage.
2. Big Sky MVP, Damian Lillard, and Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, Franklin Session. Weber State is the best team in the league because they have the best player in the League. Lillard, though only a sophomore, leads the Big Sky in points per game. He has managed to do this while all year having to face double-teams and defensive schemes designed with the sole purpose of stopping him. Session brings non-stop energy to the team and the arena. If he gets a breakaway dunk early, you can bet on a big night from him. One thing that I have observed all season long is that if both Session and Lillard are on, the Wildcats are virtually unstoppable.
3. The Seniors. Throughout much of this season Nick Hansen and Steve Panos have been somewhat overshadowed by Lillard's ability to score almost at will. Just because they may not be the best players on the team doesn't mean that they aren't great. In fact it was their senior leadership, maturity and poise that carried this team through the last four games of the season. And it was these seniors that were instrumental in beating UNC in a high stakes game and in leading the Wildcats in a blowout of Idaho State to clinch the Big Sky title. In the UNC game the two combined for 16-19 shooting. Panos scored 29 points and Hansen scored 18 on a perfect 6-6 shooting night from behind the arc. Since that game, Hansen has been on a 3-point shooting hot streak--he's made 22 out of his last 30 attempts!
4. Coach Rahe. His nickname isn't "The Wizard of Weber" for nothing. Rahe's Wildcats have been Big Sky Champions three of the last four years. Rahe has shown a consistency of excellence here at Weber. A gambler would be a fool to bet against this two-time coach of the year.
Some may think I'm cocky or at least a fool for having spent money on a game I can't be sure the Wildcats will even be in. But that's a risk I'm willing to take. On the 10th I may have ripped my championship ticket up and thrown it away, and maybe I will find myself at home watching two teams that aren't Weber State playing for the championship on national television. But I don't think that is going to be the case. I think this cocky fool will be at the Dee Events Center watching the Wildcats take the tournament trophy and clinching a spot in the NCAA tournament where they will be doing some dancing.
By Mark Berger
For questions, comments, or thoughts, email me at mark@weberhoops.com
Getting the Lead Out
February 13th
I am exhausted. After sitting in a class all week trying to focus on what my instructor was teaching me about how to identify lead based paint hazards in multi-dwelling buildings and single residence structures according to federal HUD guidelines, I just wanted to go home and sit on my couch and mindlessly flip through the 11 channels I get through my digital converter box. I almost decided to skip tonight's game. I'm glad my dedication to get my money's worth out of my season tickets prompted me to stay the course and go to the game. By doing so, I literally got the lead out.
Here are five things that made tonight's game worth attending.
1. My wife and daughter came to the game! I love my family, and I love watching the 'Cats play hoop. So when I can combine both, it always makes for a great night.
2. Damian Lillard. The sophomore sensation did it again scoring 26, including five three-pointers. He also added five assists for good measure.
3. Franklin Session. Okay, so he got 8 steals, at least two dunks (including a sweet reverse jam), and something like 23 points. If he doesn't win either defensive player of the year or newcomer of the year or both this year I will be surprised.
4. Quick Change. I'm not sure what was more fun, watching that lady magically change dresses or watching my daughter watch the lady magically change into her dresses. (I'd say the majority of this year's half time shows alone have been worth the price of admission.)
5. Funnel Cake! Yummy stuff.
Well, my Guarana Amp Energy drink has worn off. I'm still exhausted. Tomorrow is the biggest regular season game of the year for the Wildcats. UNC is coming to town, and if we want to host the Big Sky Tournament, the 'Cats need a big win. I hope to see a ton of the Wildcat faithful at the Purple Palace tomorrow.
By Mark Berger
For questions, comments, or thoughts, email me at mark@weberhoops.com
New Fan Favorite, Franklin Session
February 3rd
For three years Daviin Davis's style of play made him a fan favorite. He blocked shots, he dove for lose balls, and he dunked like no other. When he graduated last year, I wondered who would step up and take his place as the fans' favorite. This year there is no doubt who holds that honor. Franklin "The Blur" Session.
Listed as 6'2" and 175 pounds, no one on Weber State's active roster is smaller than shooting guard Franklin Session. However, if you look at Session's statistics, it is clear that no one plays bigger. Session leads the team in rebounds and steals. He is number two on the team in assists, blocked shots and minutes played. (In conference play he is actually #1 in all these categories!) Oh, yeah. The dude can dunk as well!
Of all the players on the court he shows the most emotion, much to the pleasure of the fans. Often after a big dunk, a blocked shot, or any other big play, Session looks to the student section and waves his arms or thumps his chest, bringing fans to their feet in applause.
In short he has become a fan favorite because he is fast, athletic, enthusiastic, emotional, and he always gives one hundred percent effort.
WeberHoops.com caught up with him and was able to ask him a few questions.
Q- You have quickly become an obvious contender for Fan Favorite. What do you think about that?
A- "I don't know about fan favorite. Damian is pretty favorable lol..."
Q-You are often the smallest player on the court. What is your secret to getting so many rebounds and blocked shots?
A- "I just play hard as possible every possession, and I can tell where rebounds are going to end up, and I just go get them!"
Q-I have noticed that you now do the jump balls at the beginning of games. How did you get that assignment?
A- "I got that assignment because when we went into the 3 OT game at Idaho State we needed the first possession in every OT, so I ended up winning them and they decided to just keep me at the jump balls now."
Q-I know the student section really likes you because you acknowledge them after a big play. How important are the fans and the student section for you and the team?
A- "The student section and the fans are a big part of where our energy as a team comes from, especially me. I feed off the student section and fans because it just takes my game to another level...so to me the fans and student section are much needed and very important!!"
Q-You mention on a Facebook status that you really want a championship ring. How big would it be to win the Big Sky title?
A-Winning the Big Sky title would be one of the biggest accomplishments in my life! Especially since I have wanted a ring that big since high school lol..."
By Mark Berger
For questions, comments, or thoughts, email me at mark@weberhoops.com
Lillard, Panos End 8-game Losing Streak!
December 3rd
Yesterday Weber State broke an 8-game losing streak to the Utes and beat the University of Utah at home with a score of 83-76. The game was a thrilling one. The Wildcats came back from a 14-point deficit midway through the first half to ultimately win by 7 points. It was a game that every fan who saw it will remember for years. It was a game that every Weber State fan should have been in attendance to see. It was a game that, unfortunately for me, I did not see.
I have been attending night school for the last two and a half years and have missed multiple WSU games because of it. Unfortunately yesterday's intense battle was one of them. But I am proud to say that in two weeks I will be done with my Master's program. I will never miss an intense in-state game due to school again! But unfortunately I will never be able to get back the games and great team and individual performances I have missed. I will never get to see Steve Panos score 20 points and grab 7 rebounds in his last game against the Utes. Nor will I get to see first hand WSU Sophomore, Damian Lillard's 28 points, 7 assists and 5 rebound performance.
Both Panos' and Lillard's performances were ones for the ages. Ones that will be ranked up there with performances from Weber greats such as Eddie Gill, Harold "The Show," and Jermaine Boyette. And I missed them!
While I did miss seeing the game, I was able to have a positive experience listening to the second half on the radio on my commute home from Salt Lake City. I love Carl Arky. The dude is the best play-by-play guy in the state. Hands down. I would like to share one thing he said during the play-by-play that almost made me glad I was listening to the game on the radio instead of witnessing it in the Purple Palace.
Weber State's Damian Lillard had just made a 3-pointer to put the 'Cats up by 3 with about two minutes left. On Weber State's ensuing possession Lillard found himself with the ball again. He put his shoulder down, penetrated, and made a driving bank shot to put the 'Cats up by 5 points. After this happened Arky yelled, "Oh my, Damian Lillard is hotter than Lady Gaga!" What an awesome thing to say!
By Mark Berger
For questions, comments, or thoughts, email me at mark@weberhoops.com
Purple Pak Has Big Mtn Dew Cans to Fill
August 28th 2009
As a new athletic season at Weber State is upon us, Wildcat fans will be paying close attention to new faces and missing last year's seniors who no longer are with us. While Weber State fans and students will be missing last year's senior athletes such as former football players, Marcus Mailei and JD Folsom (Both of which are currently on NFL rosters) and basketball stars, Kellen McCoy and Daviin Davis, they are surely going to miss one David Baker, Chair of the student Purple Pak organization.
At every basketball game one could see Baker in the front row of the student section, clad all in purple, leading students in cheers, heckling opponents, and screaming at referees. For years Baker has been one of the biggest student fans the Wildcats have known. So it was not a surprise when a couple of years ago he was named as Chair of the Purple Pak.
Bev Rudd, Director of Alumni Relations and advisor for the Student Alumni Association and Purple Pak said Baker's enthusiasm as a fan also carried over to the way he carried out his responsibilities as Purple Pak Chair. Rudd said that under Baker's leadership Purple Pak enrollment increased as well as student attendance to games. She also said Baker was instrumental in beginning a tradition of taking students on road trips. "Never in the history of the school has Purple Pak attended so many away games. Dave was instrumental in filling the buses. He will be greatly missed."
Baker also said he will miss his association with the Purple Pak, "I will miss the association with the students and meeting new people on the various road trips we went on."
Now that Baker has graduated from Weber State, Rudd knows that finding someone who can build on what Baker has started will be difficult. Perhaps that is why she has named two Purple Pak Chairs to take Baker's place. Bryan Weir will be Chair of football and Louis Anderson Skillman IV will be the chair of basketball. Rudd is very impressed with both Skillman and Weir and says they are just as passionate as Baker and bring with them some great ideas for Weber State students. With these two in place as Purple Pak Chairs Rudd said, "The passion for Weber basketball lives on. We have some great guys to keep Purple Pak on track."
One of Rudd's focuses for this year is to keep the tradition of student road trips going. She already has a trip planned to go to Laramie for the Wildcats' football season opener, and she is working on other road trips for both football and basketball.
While Baker is no longer a WSU student or Purple Pak chair, he said that won't make him any less of a fan. He plans on being a season ticket holder for both football and basketball as well as attending several games on the road. "I will continue to bleed purple until the day I die. Weber state will always be near and dear to my heart."
By Mark Berger
For questions, comments, or thoughts, email me at mark@weberhoops.com
