Practice. We're Talking About Practice



Does the return of Damian Lillard make Weber State the favorite in Big Sky hoops?


Hard to believe, but men's basketball practice officially starts this weekend. The countdown to March is officially on.

When last we left Big Sky Conference basketball, Northern Colorado was making its first trip to the NCAA Tournament, and putting up a good fight against No. 2 seed San Diego State.

The Bears lost league MVP Devon Beitzel, along with fellow seniors Chris Kaba, Neal Kingman and Taylor Montgomery. Those four should long be remembered in Greeley. It was just a few short years ago that Northern Colorado was ranked dead last in the RPI and went 4-24.

So, do the Bears have what it takes to repeat? We'll have to see.

The preseason media and coaches' polls will be released next week, and I fully expect that Weber State will be a heavy favorite. Randy Rahe's Wildcats went 18-14 last season, winning 11 conference games, and making it to the league semifinals. The Wildcats, of course, accomplished most of this without 2009-10 league MVP Damian Lillard, who suffered a season-ending injury during the ninth game of the season.

Lillard is back - stronger than ever, and he has a very strong, veteran group around him. Senior Kyle Bullinger stepped up in Lillard's absence to earn First Team All-Conference honors. Guard Scott Bamforth, one of the most accurate 3-point shooters in the nation, played all of last season with a bum shoulder. He still garnered All-Conference honors and was the league's Newcomer of the Year. Throw in Freshman of the Year Byron Fulton, senior forward Darin Mahoney, reserve guard Jordan Richardson, and sophomore center Kyle Tresnak, and the Wildcats look real solid. Not to mention, the Wildcats will have 6-foot-6 forward Frank Otis in the lineup. Otis sat out last season after transferring from SMU. Freshman James Hajek, who redshirted last season, is another 6-foot-10 post player who gives the Cats' great front-line depth.

Montana also looks to be very strong. Wayne Tinkle's Grizzlies have played in the championship game each of the past two seasons - beating Weber State in 2010. The squad will be led by junior guard Will Cherry, who averaged 14.1 points, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game as a sophomore en route to earning All-Conference honors. Big things are also expected of 7-foot senior forward Derek Selvig, senior forward Art Stewart and sophomore Kareem Jamar. UM won't have Brian Qvale in the post, scoring easy buckets and blocking shots. Montana must also find a legit 3-point threat. True freshman Kevin Henderson might be that guy.

It won't surprise me at all if Weber State and Montana are picked 1-2. After that, it's up in the air.

B.J. Hill has followed in Tad Boyle's footsteps of creating a program at Northern Colorado. We like some of the younger guys on the Bears' roster, who've been in the program. Players like Elliott Lloyd, Mike Procter, Connor Osborne, Emmanuel Addo, Paul Garnica and Tate Unruh will have to step up their games. I fully expect the Bears to be in the hunt once again.

Jim Hayford has a lot of success at Division III Whitworth. Now, he'll try to win at Eastern Washington. The Eagles have several talented players returning from last year's club, which advance to the postseason for the first time since Rodney Stuckey's freshman season. Cliff Ederain, Kevin Winford, Jeffrey Forbes, Tremayne Johnson, Laron Griffin and Cliff Colimon all saw lots of action last season. Big things are also expected from JC trasfer Colin Chiverton. The Eagles' lone key loss was junior guard Glean Dean, who transferred to Utah.

Guard play was expected to be the strength at Northern Arizona with the return of junior guards Gabe Rogers and Stallon Saldivar. Rogers, a second-team All-Conference pick last season, sustained a shoulder injury and will miss at least eight weeks. The Lumberjacks have a lot of newcomers on their roster, including freshman guard Danny Cheek.

Portland State is a team that could surprise. The Vikings weren't eligible for the postseason last year because of an APR penalty. The Vikings are good to go, and could make its way back near the top of the league standings. Guard Charles Odum and forward Chehales Tapscott return to the starting lineup. Transfers Michael Harthun and Lateef McMullan could make big impacts.

Brian Katz enters his fourth-year at Sacramento State, and is hoping this is the year the Hornets break through to the conference tournament. Junior forward John Dickson has started two straight seasons and was an honorable mention All-Conference pick last season. Katz is very high on true freshman guard Dylan Garrity.

Montana State must replace the likes of Bobby Howard and Erik Rush. Senior guard Rod Singleton is the only returning starter. JC transfer Xavier Johnson-Blout averaged 22 points and five rebounds per game last season. Jefff Bubinich, Jourdain Allou, and Shawn Reid are other returning players.

Idaho State has missed the postseason each of the past two seasons. Just two starters and five letterwinners return to this year's Bengal team. Chase Grabau is the top returning scorer. He averaged 6.3 points per game. Forward Abner Moreira also returns. Junior guard Melvin Morgan could be one of the top newcomers in the league.

- Jon Kasper - Big Sky Conference